Name: Dartmouth Steam Railway And River Boat Company
Rating: 5.0

Dartmouth Steam Railway And River Boat Company

Dartmouth Steam Railway - (Paignton, Station), Queen's Park Road, Paignton, UK

1-90 Years

Paid

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Description

Dartmouth Steam Railway And River Boat Company is a unique South Devon attraction offering steam train journeys, river cruises, sea trips, and a historic paddle steamer experience. Based along the stunning South Devon coastline, it connects beautiful towns including Paignton, Dartmouth, Totnes, Torquay, Brixham, and Kingswear. It is the only attraction in Devon that combines steam trains, river boats, buses, and a paddle steamer into one sightseeing network.

Visitors can enjoy a scenic steam train journey between Paignton and Kingswear, coastal and countryside views along the English Riviera, and cruises on the River Dart. Popular experiences include the Round Robin tour (steam train, ferry, river cruise, and bus), Steam & Cruise full-day excursion, Lower Dart circular cruise, Dartmouth to Totnes return cruise, and trips on the historic PS Kingswear Castle, the last remaining coal-fired paddle steamer in the UK. There is also a special Footplate Experience, offering the chance to travel on the footplate of a heritage steam locomotive.

Pricing varies by experience: Steam Train from £24.50 (Adult), Round Robin from £43.00 (Adult), Steam & Cruise from £36.50 (Adult), Lower Dart Cruise from £13.00 (Adult), and Dartmouth to Totnes Return Cruise from £23.00 (Adult), with child and family tickets available for each option.

Overall, Dartmouth Steam Railway And River Boat Company offers one of the most scenic and varied days out in Devon. Combining heritage transport with breathtaking coastal and river views, it provides a memorable experience for families, couples, and visitors of all ages. It is a must-visit attraction for anyone looking to explore South Devon in a truly distinctive way.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Steam Train: One of the finest steam train trips in the country along the coast of Torbay, through stunning Devon countryside and overlooking the River Dart - linking the resort of Paignton with Dartmouth. The scenery on this picturesque line is breathtaking - from Paignton along the spectacular English Riviera Geopark coast line, through the picturesque stations at Goodrington and Churston (non-stopping), then on through the wooded slopes of Long Wood bordering the Dart Estuary to to Kingswear.
Round Robin: Our best seller, this famous and award winning tour is the best way to explore South Devon! Includes steam train, river boat and bus visiting the quaint towns of Paignton, Dartmouth and Totnes. This award-winning ticket is a favourite with both young and old. Journey times are: steam train (c.25-30 minutes), short ferry crossing (c.5 minutes), a river cruise (c.90 minutes) and a bus (c.20 minutes). Sit back and enjoy the scenery and we will take care of the rest. Commentary provided (river cruise only).
Steam & Cruise: Full day excursion. Steam & Cruise is the perfect day out if you have children as it has ultimate flexibility - you decide what train and cruise to go on! Full day excursion. The Steam & Cruise is the perfect day out if you have children as it has ultimate flexibility - you decide what train and cruise to go on! (Includes Dartmouth-Kingswear passenger ferry.)
Dartmouth River Cruise (Lower Dart): A circular cruise from Dartmouth sailing the lower part of the River Dart viewing the castles at the estuary, Britannia Royal Naval College and towards Agatha Christie's Greenway Estate. From late May-early June to September in 2025, this cruise is predominantly on the historic paddle steamer "Kingswear Castle". The Kingswear Castle is the last remaining coal-fired paddle steamer in the UK.
Dartmouth to Totnes River Cruise (Return): The queen of cruises in our repertoire sailing the beautiful River Dart between the delightful and unique towns of Dartmouth and Totnes. This cruise is a lovely relaxing 90-minute trip (each way). The queen of cruises in our repertoire sailing for around nine miles along nearly all of the navigable part of the beautiful River Dart between the delightful and unique towns of Dartmouth and Totnes. This cruise is a lovely relaxing 90-minute trip (each way).
Paddle Steamer Kingswear Castle: The UK's only coal fired paddle steamer. The Kingswear Castle was built in 1924 and as an historic ship she has been lovingly restored to her former glory, she has flush decks and wheelchair friendly gangways but her toilets are below decks and are not DDA compliant. The historic paddle steamer Kingswear Castle is the last remaining coal-fired paddle steamer in operation in the UK today and is running on her home waters of the River Dart once more.
Footplate Experience: Join us for the unique and fantastic experience of travelling our coastal, countryside and river line on the footplate of a heritage steam locomotive. From the panoramic sea vistas across the English Riviera, the height of our three Brunel built viaducts, the darkness of Greenway tunnel and on through the wooded slopes of the Dart Estuary to Kingswear, we boast one the most stunning lines in Europe. Treat yourself, or someone you know who would thoroughly enjoy it, to a truly unforgettable experience.

Facilities

Parking: Regrettably we do not have a customer car park at Paignton or Kingswear. At Paignton there are a number of local car parks to choose from.
Gift Shop: We have a wide range of gifts and souvenirs that are appropriate for both kids and grown-ups! From school supplies, keyrings and pens to books, jigsaw puzzles, mugs and jewellry. Snow globes, containers, magnets and postcards can likewise be obtained here amongst an array of other lovely things!
Food & Drinks: Head of Steam is alongside the platform and next to the gift shop area. We serve piping hot coffee and other beverages, sandwiches and snacks, locally made cakes and biscuits and are all here to tempt you. Create your own picnic here before you board the train!
Toilets: There are toilets at both our Paignton and Kingswear stations.

What to see

Dartmouth: Dartmouth harbour has always been of strategic importance as a deep-water port for navy vessels. Amongst Dartmouth's winding Elizabethan streets you will discover independent shops, art galleries and a bustling market twice a week in the warmer months. Experience gourmet restaurants, bistros, bars and cosy cafés. You can shop until you drop and then settle into a bar to sample local ales or a cool glass of bubbly and the best crab sandwich money can buy (Dartmouth crab is widely regarded to be the best in the country).
Paignton: Paignton is part of the stunning English Riviera which also includes Torquay & Brixham. Paignton has plenty to offer including superb beaches of golden sand and a good selection of seafront restaurants, bars and marine activities. The beaches in Paignton stretch for miles and make for fantastic walks with breathtaking views or rockpool exploring!
Totnes: Totnes is famous for being the home of a cosmopolitan mix of people! It is unconventional with organic, ethical and fair trade the norm. It is the home of the Transition Town movement and is proud to be a little different. It attracts people worldwide who are concerned with the environmental and sustainability. There are many noteworthy buildings and monuments in the town, including their museum. They are watched over at the top of the town by the Norman motte and bailey castle which has commanding views of the Dart valley including to the river Dart. There is a plethora of shops, markets, restaurants/cafés, pubs, an hotel, and lovely walks to enjoy by the river.
Torquay: The quintessential seaside experience. You can stay right here in South Devon and find sun, sand and sea - at the beautiful bay of the English Riviera. Take your holiday during the summer and you’ll find golden stretches of sand, a great choice of local eateries and there is loads to see and do too. Plus, it’s closer to home than the Mediterranean or Florida!
Brixham: Brixham’s history is filled with tales of pirates and smugglers. The annual Pirate Festival is highly popular with adults and kids alike dressing up and partaking in lots of “ooh arr me hearties”, etc!). Seek out the Old Fish Market for something a bit out of the ordinary (the brand new hi-tech fish market opened recently but the old market is still open in the spring and summer months).
Kingswear: Kingswear sits on the east bank of the River Dart opposite Dartmouth and is a charming character village that has some of the most beautiful views across the River Dart . The brightly painted houses (the village is often likened to Balamory), church pubs and other buildings rise up steeply from the river. There are little winding streets, friendly pubs and some truly spectacular views - especially from the top of the village which overlooks the sea in one direction and up river to Tones in the other direction.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Steam Train

Adult: £24.50
Child: £17.50
Family: £75.00

Round Robin

Adult: £43.00
Child: £27.50
Family: £125.00

Steam & Cruise

Adult: £36.50
Child: £25.00
Family: £115.00

Dartmouth River Cruise (Lower Dart)

Adult: £13.00
Child: £11.00
Family: £42.00

Dartmouth to Totnes River Cruise (Return)

Adult: £23.00
Child: £17.00
Family: £72.00

Pricing URL: https://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/tickets

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Visit the website for timing information.

Address: Dartmouth Steam Railway - (Paignton, Station), Queen's Park Road, Paignton, UK

Post Code: TQ4 6AF

Council: Torbay

County: Devon

By River Boats: Dartmouth Embankment. Our blue topped kiosks can be found along the North and South Embankment in Dartmouth alongside the river. Postcode: TQ6 9BH.
By Bus: Paignton Bus Station is well served by the public bus network. There are regular services from Torbay, Newton Abbot, Exeter, Plymouth and further afield. It is a short, level walk from Paignton Bus Station to our steam train station f.
By Train: Queens Park Station is our main station and it is situated right in the town centre of Paignton about 400 yards from the seafront. Our entrance is next to the mainline level crossing. Postcode: TQ4 6AF. Regrettably we do not have a customer car park at Paignton or Kingswear. At Paignton there are a number of local car parks to choose from. Just click on the car parks links for details.