The Dartmouth Steam Railway and the River Boat Company

Made up of the Dartmouth Steam Railway and the Dartmouth River Boat Company, you can enjoy unique ways of discovering the best of Devon or, even better, choose to experience them all with the award-winning Round Robin full-day excursions. Based on the radiant South Devon coastline, railway, boats and paddler steamers provide a novel gateway to countryside, river and sea, as well as a number of beautiful Devon towns and villages too.

For land-based adventures, the Dartmouth Steam Railway’s main base is at Queens Park Station, located in the heart of Paignton town and only about 400 yards from the seafront. Travelling 7 miles along the South Devon coast into the Dart Valley, the steam train provides a romantic vessel for good old-fashioned fun and an opportunity to take in the stunning panoramas. Whether you are travelling solo, as a loved-up duo or happy gaggle with the kids in tow, it has multi-generational appeal.

With stations at the Tanners Road in Goodrington Sands, off Brixham Road in Churston and the Square in Kingswear, you can explore the area’s impossibly picturesque villages and dive beneath the surface of the Dart Valley. Starting with views of the River Dart, the steam train follows the gentle flow of the river, before cutting through verdant woodland and patchwork countryside and popping out at the coast.

If you are more of a water-lover, the River Boat Company’s river cruises operate on the Dart, which for hundreds of years provided a crucial highway for transporting goods in and out of Devon. Offering daily trips to the historic town of Totnes, Dittisham and 1-hour circular cruises, you can relish hours on the water and think back to the days when this veteran paddle steamer used to be the lifeblood of the river. Her engines date back to 1904!

To complete the picture, you can also book yourself onto sea trips from Torquay and Brixham, as well as coastal trips from Dartmouth, offering the chance to see seabirds, seals, dolphins and whales. To secure yourself a spot, the dog-friendly Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company offer booking facilities and trip details online.

Feeling inspired? Take a look through our gorgeous Devon retreats here.

www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk