South Devon Railway

The Station, Dartbridge Road, Buckfastleigh, Devon, TQ11 0DZ

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TripAdvisor Traveller Rating - 1512 reviews1512 reviews

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Tel01364 644370

South Devon Railway train
  • South Devon Railway train
  • South Devon Railway - train going along the line
  • South Devon Railway station
  • South Devon Railway - constructors on the train
  • Constructor looking out the train window

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The South Devon Railway features a wonderful 14 mile round trip along a branch line of the former Great Western Railway. Gleaming, historic GWR steam engines haul trains full of enthralled passengers of all ages between Buckfastleigh and Totnes Riverside. The line passes through some of Devon's most glorious countryside, hugging the river Dart for most of the journey and through countryside rich in wildlife, barely any of which is visible from the road.

At Buckfastleigh, there is a riverside walk and picnic area, play area, gardens, a fascinating museum, our workshop and historic steam and diesel engines as well as our well stocked shop and café. Dartmoor Otters & Buckfast Butterflies is adjacent to Buckfastleigh station and well worth a visit.

Down the line you'll discover sleepy Staverton, where time really has stood still, and on to historic Totnes. Our station here has been rebuilt from buildings and artefacts rescued and lovingly restored from all over the west country.

While you are there, visit the award-winning Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, right next door to our station.

There is plenty of free parking at Buckfastleigh station. Totnes main line station is about 450m from the SDR station and there are also footpaths to Totnes town, a short distance away.

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
Adult (Full Line Return)£22.00 per ticket
Child 3-15 years (Full Line Return)£11.00 per ticket
Child under 3 (Full Line Return)Free
Dog (Full Line Return)£2.50 per ticket
Family - 1 adult and 2 children (Full Line Return)£40.00 per ticket
Family - 2 adults and 2 children ((Full Line Return)£59.00 per ticket
Senior Citizen (Full Line Return)£21.00 per ticket

Single fares and tickets to and from Staverton are also available.
Full Line Ranger tickets can also be purchased.
Please visit the South Devon Railway website for more information.

Opening Times

Open Christmas
Open New Year
Open (22 Mar 2026 - 2 Nov 2026)

* We are open from Saturday 22nd March 2025 and then on selected days until Sunday 2nd November 2025

Facilities

Other

  • Accept Children over 7
  • Additional detailed accessibility information:
  • Gift Shop
  • Lift: There are lift(s) available.  An evacuation chair should also be available in case of emergency.
  • Step-free access to all or most areas: There is step-free access to all or most areas. This may include access by ramp or lift. As a minimum, there is step-free access to an accessible toilet and at least one food and beverage outlet, where available. 
  • Step-free entrance: There is step-free access at the main entrance or an alternative entrance. This may be via a ramp or lift. 

Catering

  • On-Site café/restaurant - Cafe, for approximately 100 people at Buckfastleigh.
  • Picnic Site

Children & Infants

  • Accept Children Over 3

Establishment Features

  • Available for wedding receptions
  • Dogs-Accepted
  • Tea / Coffee Shop
  • Toilets

GENERAL

  • Disability awareness / equality training: Disability awareness / equality training is provided for staff. 
  • Emergency alarm with flashing lights: There is an emergency alarm with flashing lights, to alert deaf guests to a fire or other emergency scenario. 
  • Emergency evacuation plan for disabled people: Personal or General Emergency Evacuation Plans are in place for disabled customers. 
  • Facilities for assistance dogs: Facilities are available for assistance dogs e.g. water bowls, toilet area, within the grounds of the venue or nearby. 
  • Seating at regular intervals: Seating is available at regular intervals.  
  • Wheelchair-accessible toilet in public areas: A designated accessible toilet designed for wheelchair users, and others with visible and non-visible accessibility requirements, is available within the main public areas. 

Key Features

  • In countryside
  • Max group size - call for details
  • Min group size - call for details
  • No Smoking Attraction
  • Outdoor Attraction

PARKING

  • Designated accessible parking: Designated accessible parking is available within 50 metres of the main entrance or an alternative step-free entrance if applicable.
  • Step-free route with firm surface from car park to entrance: There is a step-free route with a firm surface from the parking to the main entrance or an alternative step-free entrance. 

Parking & Transport

  • Coach Parking
  • On Bus Route
  • Parking (free)
  • Parking On Site

Payment Methods

  • Blue Badge Guides admitted free
  • Can be packages by 3rd parties
  • Delta accepted
  • JCB accepted
  • Maestro accepted
  • MasterCard accepted
  • Solo accepted
  • Special group rates
  • Sterling Travellers Cheques accepted
  • Visa accepted

RESTAURANT / DINING ROOM / BAR

  • Dietary requirements catered for: A selection of food is offered for a range of dietary requirements. 
  • Table service as standard or on request: Table service is available as standard or on request. 
  • Wheelchair-accessible food and beverage outlet: There is at least one wheelchair-accessible food and beverage outlet on site.  

Specialist Features

  • Family Fun
  • Marketed towards children
  • Marketed towards families
  • Marketed towards senior citizens

Tours and Demonstrations

  • Educational Visits Accepted
  • Guided Tours Available for Groups

Venue Facilities

  • Groups Accepted - Essential to prebook.

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Map & Directions

Road Directions

Buckfastleigh station, where there is ample car parking is on the A38, midway between Exeter and Plymouth.

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Public Transport Directions

Rail - Totnes national rail station is a less than 500 yard walk from our station at Totnes, via a footpath link. Bus to Buckfastleigh - 88, X38, buses stop at Buckfastleigh station. Bus to Totnes - 88, X64, X80/81, 164, 606 buses stop at Totnes main line station.

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TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating:

4.5 of 5 stars
    • Excellent
      1039
    • Very Good
      341
    • Average
      75
    • Poor
      27
    • Terrible
      31

    Recent Reviews:

    • Crewey21
      Weston super Mare, United Kingdom
      Wonderful steam experience.
      5 of 5 stars
      4th Oct 2026
      We’ve just enjoyed a fantastic return journey on the South Devon Railway from Buckfastleigh to Totnes with the added benefit of entry The Rare Breed Farm included in the price. The scenery was... Read full review
    • russellh318
      Wedmore, United Kingdom
      A wonderful step back in time with brilliant volunteers!
      5 of 5 stars
      5th Oct 2026
      We love the South Devon Railway and have actually been visiting 2 or 3 times a year for the past 20 years—this was actually our fourth visit this year alone, and it never gets old! Booking is always... Read full review
    • k r
      Teignmouth, United Kingdom
      More excellent days out by steam train.
      5 of 5 stars
      13th Oct 2026
      I have been visiting this line since the early days of preservation in 1969 and always find something new to enjoy. My recent visits as always via the BR network and walk across to Totnes station for... Read full review

    Awards

    • Devon TourismDevon's Top Attractions Quality Stamp Devon's Top Attractions Quality Stamp 2017

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