George Stephenson's Birthplace

This 18th-century stone cottage was the birthplace of rail pioneer George Stephenson. It can be found along the north bank of the River Tyne close to Wylam in Northumberland UK.

Until 2017 it was open to the public as a museum but was closed by owners, the National Trust for safety reasons. Proposals exist for works to be done to allow the house to be reopened to the public but meanwhile it is possible to view the outside of the property and appreciate its proximity to the Wylam Waggonway. Outside Stephenson's house the waggonway forms part of the Tyne Riverside Country Park.

The House was built around 1750 and is a Grade II listed building. When George Stephenson was born, in 1781, there would have been four families living in this small two storey cottage. The house is not directly accessible by car but it is  accessible to cyclists and is a short 0.4 mile  walk  along the waggonway from the nearest car park. This 18th century waggonway at the front of the cottage had, in Stephenson's days there, iron plate rails with a 60.5 inch gauge. It is often said to be the inspiration behind George Stephenson's choice of career as a mechanical engineer but this career choice is equally associated with the fact that his father was engineman at Wylam Colliery where he was in charge of the pumping engine. Stephenson's first job was working at the mine and he eventually became fireman under his own father.

The waggonway was built over by the (standard gauge) Scotswood, Newburn and Wylam railway in 1876.  Although not open to the public this house remains a place of pilgrimage for railway history fans, alongside the place where  he died (also on Atlas Obscura) (https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/tapton-house).