George Stephenson’s Birthplace 1932 – 2024

Map

All entries

## George Stephenson's Birthplace

George Stephenson's Birthplace, a modest stone cottage built around 1750, stands along the north bank of the River Tyne in Wylam, Northumberland. This Grade II* listed building was the birthplace of George Stephenson in 1781, who later became a pivotal figure in the development of the railway system. At the time of his birth, the cottage was divided into four tenements, each housing a separate family. The Wylam Waggonway, an early horse-drawn tramroad, ran directly past the cottage, facilitating coal transport from Wylam Colliery to the River Tyne. The cottage remained in the Stephenson family until 1789, when George was eight years old. In 1949, the National Trust acquired the property, and it was opened to the public as a historic house museum. However, the museum is no longer open to the public. (nationaltrust.org.uk)