Just to the south of Newcastle upon Tyne, Chester-le-Street welcomes trains that have travelled alongside the Rivers Tyne and Wear and across the wonderful County Durham countryside in the north-east of England. Now on the East Coast Main Line, the 1868 station sends Northern Rail trains from platform 1 to Newcastle, and from platform 2 towards Darlington, York, Leeds, Manchester Victoria and Liverpool Lime Street. In summer, the station is filled with cricket fans heading to Emirates Durham International Cricket Ground, home to both domestic and international cricket, as well as a host of concerts.
Chester-le-Street is one of the oldest market towns in Durham and to this day draws the crowds to its regular market on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The town's main high-street - Front Street - is just a five-minute walk from the station and home to a pleasing variety of independent and chain shops, cafes and restaurants.