A CARAVAN site in the Allen Valleys has reinstalled a piece of history following a picture featured in the Hexham Courant.

Before it was turned into a caravan site in the 1950s, Allendale Caravan Park acted as Allendale Station, the last stop on the Hexham and Allendale Railway line.

The site is now owned by Verona and Mike Wood, who took over in 2003, with the former ticket house and waiting rooms now acting as a four-star holiday let.

In 2016, Verona saw a picture of the station in its Victorian heyday alongside a feature on the railways in the Courant, and one part of the photo particularly caught her eye.

Verona explained: “The old station has been a caravan park since the railway closed in 1950.

“The Courant published a marvellous photo of very natty holidaymakers with their golf clubs at Allendale Station. It had a corner of the original railway sign in the background.

“I loved the photo with the happy holidaymakers, and it was so good to see what the actual railway sign looked like. I scanned the photo and have it framed in our reception.”

“Having seen the photo, I was really keen to bring the railway sign back to Allendale Station.”

Verona contacted Mike Jones, the owner of Allendale- based sign designers Mr Signs, to create a replica sign for the station for use at the caravan park.

The sign was delivered by Mike on June 4, and has already been a hit with guests. Verona added: “There are still visitors arriving to enjoy the beautiful Allen Valleys. We are really delighted with the sign and are already getting the thumbs up from our holidaymakers.”