South Devon Railway

South Devon Railway, Dart Bridge Road, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0DZ, UK
1-99 Years
Paid

Description

Welcome to the South Devon Railway, step back in time with the multi-award-winning South Devon Railway, one of Devon’s and the West Country’s best-loved tourist attractions. As the longest established steam railway in the south west, we proudly celebrate over 50 years of preserving railway heritage.

Travel along our seven-mile stretch of the former Great Western Railway branch line, built in 1872. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the River Dart valley as you journey between Buckfastleigh and Totnes on our charming steam trains, complete with heritage rolling stock. It’s a delightful all-day, all-weather adventure for families and visitors of all ages.

Make the most of your visit to South Devon Railway by exploring the charming local towns and nearby attractions. Just a stone’s throw from Buckfastleigh Station, you’ll find Dartmoor Otters & Buckfast Butterflies, perfect for a family day out. A 25-minute scenic stroll will take you to the beautiful Buckfast Abbey, with its stunning gardens. In nearby Totnes, you can wander through an array of unique shops, quirky cafés, and discover Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, offering a delightful experience for all ages.

Prices starts from £25.00 for adults(16-64), £14.00 for Child(3-15) and £49.00 for Family(1A+2C). If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

  • Paid
  • Host birthday parties: No

Features

Buckfastleigh Station:

  • Children's Play Area: Located next to our Miniature Railway Station, you can sit back on one of our picnic benches while the children play.
  • Riverside Walk: Enjoy a walk alongside the river Dart. A haven for wildlife so be sure to keep an eye out and see what you can spot.
  • Buckfastleigh Station Gardens: Explore our award-winning gardens at Buckfastleigh Station with plenty of space for the children to play.
  • Museum: Visit our museum and see various artefacts from the history of the South Devon Railway and the railways of Devon.
  • Dartmoor Otters & Buckfast Butterflies: Located adjacent to our car park, where you can see and learn about tropical butterflies and three species of otter.

Totnes Riverside Station:

  • Totnes Rare Breeds Farm: Come and stroke the owls, feed the red squirrels and meet the friendly hedgehogs at the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm.
  • Totnes Mainline Station: For nationwide connections on the national railway network, just a 5 to 10 minute walk from our station.
  • Totnes Town: In nearby Totnes, you can explore a vibrant mix of unique shops and quirky cafés, all set against the backdrop of rich history. Visit the town’s iconic castle, or take a stroll to the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm for a delightful and educational family experience.

Staverton Station: Staverton is a charming, untouched country station that has beautifully preserved its authentic character for over a century. Stepping onto its platform feels like travelling back in time, with its timeless charm and historic atmosphere still intact after 100 years.
Riverside Walks: There are a number of delightful riverside walks. Ask our station staff for more details.

Facilities

  • Parking and Access: Buckfastleigh station is the perfect starting point for your adventure. We offer easy, flat access and ample parking conveniently located close to the platform. Our trains are equipped with disabled access and reserved spaces for wheelchair users.
  • Food & Drinks: On-train buffets, staffed by volunteers, serve a range of drinks and light refreshments including tea and coffee, hot chocolate, squash, and canned drinks. Also a selection of crisps, chocolate bars and snacks.
  • Toilets: Available at Totnes Riverside Station, Buckfastleigh Station and Birdies Kitchen. We regret that accessible toilets are not available on our heritage trains.
  • Dogs: Well-behaved dogs are always welcome at South Devon Railway.

What to see

Experiences:

  • Drive A Train: Experience the thrill of driving and firing a real Great Western Railway steam locomotive or taking the controls of a heritage British Railways main line diesel engine, under the watchful eye of our experienced footplate crews.
  • Freight Train: Embark on a one-of-a-kind adventure with a return trip between Buckfastleigh and Totnes aboard a traditional guard’s Brake Van, pulled by either a steam or diesel locomotive. Experience the journey from the open veranda of an authentic 1930s ‘Toad’ or 1950s ‘Shark’, offering unmatched panoramic views of the stunning countryside and our heritage railway.
  • Murder Mystery: Join us for our Murder Mystery Experience, an evening of immersive entertainment on board our historic steam train. Murder by Appointment, the longest established murder mystery company in the West of England, will take you back to a bygone era of dark crime.
  • Dining Trains: In 1879, the first Restaurant Car was introduced in the UK, turning on-train dining into an experience to cherish. Relive those charming days and step aboard our 1950s Restaurant Car, where a scenic steam train journey is paired with delightful local cuisine. Our skilled caterers create exquisite culinary delights, served directly to your table as you relax and enjoy the train’s leisurely journey through the stunning Dart Valley. Savour each dish while taking in the ever-changing views of this beautiful riverside landscape.
  • Pullman Car No. 246 ‘Lydia’: Completed in 1925 by the Midland Railway Carriage & Wagon Company (constructed in 1924), ‘Lydia’ was exported across the English Channel to operate Orient Express services between Milan, San Remo, Nice and Cannes. In 1929 the carriage returned to Britain and ran from London to Dover, the Midlands and the North. As the carriage was a favourite of Prime Minister Winston Churchill, ‘Lydia’ was reserved for his use during World War II (Winston Churchill and General Eisenhower used the carriage in the lead-up to D-Day in 1944), and was even used for his state funeral in 1965.

For more information please visit: https://www.southdevonrailway.co.uk/experiences/

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Heritage Travel: 

  • Adult(16-64): £25.00
  • Child(3-15): £14.00
  • Family(1A+2C): £49.00

Drive a Train:

  • Gold Steam Package: £659 per person.
  • Silver Steam Package: £419 per person.
  • Heritage Diesel Package: £519 per person.

Murder Mystery:  £34.50 per person.
Dining Trains:  £64.95 per person.

For more information please visit: https://sdr.hops.org.uk/tickets?_gl=1*tg85o9*_ga*NjQwODA2MTc0LjE3NzA5MTE2MTY.*_ga_45JM4GLTD5*czE3NzA5MjEwNTEkbzIkZzEkdDE3NzA5MjE0MzckajE2JGwwJGgw

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

Please check here Time

Address: South Devon Railway, Dart Bridge Road, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0DZ, UK

Post Code: TQ11 0DZ

Council: Teignbridge

County: Devon

  • By Car: Buckfastleigh is where our main car park is, with ample free car and coach parking. It is between Exeter and Plymouth on the A38. Leave at the Dart Bridge junction and follow the brown signs for the South Devon Railway.
  • By Train: Totnes main line station on the Great Western main line is close to our station at Totnes Riverside. Great Western Railway and Cross Country Trains serve Totnes station.
  • By Bus: Buses stop close to our station at Buckfastleigh and at Totnes main line station or town centre. Bob the Bus: Totnes Circular ‘Hail & Ride’ services linking the railway station with the town centre (Mon – Fri).
  • Parking and Access: Buckfastleigh station is the perfect starting point for your adventure. We offer easy, flat access and ample parking conveniently located close to the platform. Our trains are equipped with disabled access and reserved spaces for wheelchair users.

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