Historic Cullybackey railway building brought back to life earns Tourism NI certification

Claire McNaughton, Accommodation Certification Manager at Tourism NI with Anne Christie, Owner of The Railway Sleeper, which has been certified by Tourism NI

A historic railway building in Cullybackey that lay derelict for more than four decades has reached another major milestone after securing official certification from Tourism Northern Ireland.

Set within the grounds of Cullybackey Railway Station, first opened in 1856, The Railway Sleeper stands as a remarkable example of heritage restoration, breathing new life into one of County Antrim’s most striking railway buildings.

Once left abandoned for over 40 years, the Grade 1 listed property has been painstakingly restored by owners Robert and Anne Christie, who purchased the building in December 2019 with a vision to preserve its history while creating a unique destination for visitors.

Their ambitious transformation has now been formally recognised through the completion of Tourism NI’s mandatory certification process — an important step for all accommodation providers welcoming paying guests.

From derelict landmark to destination stay

The Railway Sleeper, within the historic Cullybackey railway station building, has been certified by Tourism NI

The restoration project has already become a standout local success story.

Following years of careful refurbishment, The Ticket Bakehouse café opened its doors in July 2022, with The Railway Sleeper accommodation launching later that December.

Every effort was made to retain the building’s original character, while introducing modern comforts for guests.

That attention to detail has not gone unnoticed.

Inside The Ticket Bakehouse

In 2023, the project received the Great Western Railway Craft Skills Award from the National Railway Heritage Awards, further cementing its reputation as an outstanding heritage restoration.

Since opening, guests have travelled from across the world to stay there, including visitors from Australia, the United States, Canada, Italy, France, Spain, across the UK and Ireland — and even from Cullybackey itself.

Tourism NI praises quality and attention to detail

Tourism NI said the property demonstrates how meeting statutory standards helps strengthen Northern Ireland’s tourism offering while supporting local business growth.

The certification process includes an inspection to ensure accommodation meets minimum statutory standards before it can be offered to the public.

The Railway Sleeper in Cullybackey has been certified by Tourism NI 

Claire McNaughton, Accommodation Certification Manager at Tourism Northern Ireland, said:

“Well done to Anne on completing a fantastic refurbishment of the property. Her attention to detail and commitment to quality are clear throughout.

“Certification is a mandatory requirement, and it is really encouraging to hear that the experience, and the visit from Quality and Standards, added real value to the process. I wish Anne continued success.”

‘We wanted to bring the building back to life’

For owner Anne Christie, the project has always been about more than restoration — it has been about honouring the building’s past.

The Railway Sleeper in Cullybackey has been certified by Tourism NI 

She said:

“We wanted to bring the building back to life and honour its history. Designing the interiors and sourcing vintage-inspired fixtures was a joy.

“We found Tourism NI’s certification process incredibly straightforward, with a friendly and reassuring visit from our certification officer who ensured we met the requirements and offered helpful advice throughout.

“Overall, the experience was enjoyable, supportive, and nothing to worry about.”

The latest recognition marks another significant chapter in the story of one of the area’s most distinctive heritage buildings — a transformation that has turned a forgotten piece of railway history into a destination attracting visitors from around the world.

For further information about Tourism NI certification, visit: www.tourismni.com/Forms/

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At a glance

• Historic railway building in Cullybackey lay derelict for more than 40 years

• Building is located within Cullybackey Railway Station, opened in 1856

• Purchased by Robert and Anne Christie in December 2019

• Fully restored to preserve heritage features and add modern comfort

• Ticket Bakehouse café opened in July 2022

• Railway Sleeper accommodation opened in December 2022

• Recently completed mandatory Tourism NI certification

• Guests have visited from across the world

• Project previously won a national railway heritage award

• Certification supports quality and safety in Northern Ireland tourism