Getting to the Tamar Valley by rail

Mainline inter-city services from London, Scotland and the North of England all stop at Plymouth. Many also stop at the smaller Saltash Station (just past Brunel’s famous Royal Albert Bridge) and continue on to Penzance. The journey from London Paddington takes approximately three and a half hours. There is also a sleeper train service. In Devon, the line at times runs right next to the sea, and crosses the beautiful Exe, Teign and Dart estuaries. 

From Plymouth, you can catch the scenic Tamar Valley branch line train to Bere Alston, Bere Ferrers, Calstock and Gunnislake. After a brief circuit around the historic Devonport Naval Dockyard, this route takes you under Brunel’s famous Royal Albert Bridge. The line then crosses the Tavy Viaduct to the peaceful farming countryside of the Bere peninsula, across to the Cornish bank of the River Tamar on the majestic Calstock viaduct and on to the end of the modern line at Gunnislake. For more information about this, and other branch lines, see the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership page. For information about fares and timetables contact National Rail Enquiries.