Wylam - Industrial Waggonways

Navigating The Route

This is a circular Detective Mystery around Wylam's industrial waggonways, with Detective Chief Inspector Nee Ideyar asking Detectives to follow clues around Wylam to solve the mystery of the lost station master and identify the guilty party.

The investigation covers approximately 2.3 miles and should take around 3 hours to complete. You'll begin at Tyne Riverside Country Park Wylam Car Park behind the war memorial, follow long, flat stretches of waggonway, enter part of Wylam station, investigate bridge sections and work your way through later clues around the village before returning to the car park.

This Trail is not suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The route is mainly along good paths, but the waggonway may have puddles after heavy rain, and later sections include a hill, a cobbled lane, several road crossings, a railway line crossing and bridge sections close to the road.

The main road through Wylam must be crossed several times, so double check for traffic and keep Mini Detectives close. Take extra care at the railway crossing and on the section where the road is very close by.

Getting There

By car: Start your investigation at Tyne Riverside Country Park Wylam Car Park behind the war memorial (NE41 8DW), using ///harsh.zoos.crackled. The Chief recommends parking up here, and the first clue can be solved within the car park.

By public transport: Make your way to Tyne Riverside Country Park Wylam Car Park behind the war memorial (NE41 8DW) to begin the case. The Trail is circular and finishes back where you began at the car park.

Need the Loo?

There is a public loo in Wylam. Just after Clue 07, the route meets the main road; down the bank from this point and on the other side of the road are the loos.

Bring Your Furry Sidekicks

Four-legged Detectives are welcome to join the investigation 🐾

The route includes long waggonway stretches, village sections, a hill, a cobbled lane, road crossings, a railway line crossing and bridge sections where the road is close by, so keep canine colleagues close around traffic, tracks and busier spots. After heavy rain, the waggonway may have puddles too.

Food & Drink Stops

Case-cracking can be thirsty work. Refreshments can be bought next to Clue 10, and you will also pass a cafe and four pubs along the way.

Want to Make a Day of It?

Wylam station and bridge area

The route enters part of the train station and stops at the brick signal box that spans the tracks. The station was built in 1835 and is one of the oldest working stations in the world, while the original bridge here linked the ironworks with the rail line to Newcastle.

Wylam Bridge

Keep an eye out for the sign explaining the history of Wylam Bridge. It ties neatly into the village's industrial story, including the original bridge built to link the ironworks with the rail line to Newcastle.

Hagg Bank Bridge

This wrought iron bridge was a huge step forward in bridge design and is thought to be one of the earliest rib arch bridges in the world. It is Grade II listed and is said to be the earliest use of this form of construction to carry railway - excellent evidence for Detectives who like their mysteries with a side of engineering history.