South Devon Railway

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

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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 opens for the season from Saturday 22nd March and then on selected days until Sunday 2nd November 2025.

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 2025 - 2 Nov 2025)

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

Facilities

Other

  • Accept Children over 7
  • Gift Shop

Accessibility

  • Accessible to Wheelchair Users
  • All Areas Accessible to Disabled Visitors
  • Assistance Dogs
  • Facilities for Disabled Visitors
  • Facilities for Hearing Impaired Visitors
  • Facilities for Visually Impaired Visitors - call for details
  • Guide Dogs Permitted
  • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors
  • Ramp/Level Access
  • Toilets for Disabled Visitors

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

Key Features

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

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

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
      1010
    • Very Good
      338
    • Average
      72
    • Poor
      25
    • Terrible
      31

    Recent Reviews:

    • Lindylou146
      Plymouth, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      A nice experience
      4 of 5 stars
      22nd Sept 2025
      We were given a present of a lovely experience of a ploughman’s lunch on the Buckfastleigh steam train . After being welcomed on board and shown our seats we had a short wait before setting off... Read full review
    • desd1504
      Didcot, United Kingdom
      Trip Type:
      Couples
      A fabulous ride through the Devon Countryside and alongside the marvellous River Dart . The SDR has it all.
      5 of 5 stars
      23rd Sept 2025
      Visited the beautiful and spectacular South Devon Railway and was blown away by the stunning scenery as the railway followed the gentle river Dart and glorious Devon countryside. Our loco for the day... Read full review
    • Navigator47527409310
      Wonderful and unique experience!
      5 of 5 stars
      2nd Oct 2025
      We had the Sir Winston Churchill's fabulous refurbished 1925 train carriage afternoon tea experience. It was an exceptional trip on a steam train and very good value. From the impeccable station... Read full review

    Awards

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

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