Take a steam-powered journey along the beautiful Devon countryside and coast, with the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company. Choose to travel by train, boat (or both!) and you’ll enjoy a unique perspective on our breathtaking county, and a great day out. Explore some of the best South Devon towns and villages, and experience wonderful scenery as you travel through the countryside.
Hop on your Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway train at Paignton Station and take a breathtaking journey along the Torbay coast and the Dart Estuary, taking in the picturesque countryside, before reaching colourful village of Kingswear (just across the River Dart from Dartmouth). In Kingswear you can enjoy wonderful views over Dartmouth, take a stroll along the Dart Valley Trail to Greenway (Agatha Christie’s Holiday Home), or pick up the South West Coast Path, which will take you to Kingswear Castle and the 80ft Daymark. Or you can hop on a ferry across the river to Dartmouth (foot passenger ferry tickets are free with your train ticket).
If you’re keen to get on the water during your stay, the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company have two River Dart cruise options for you to choose from.
Lower Dart River Cruise (55 mins, total): Enjoy a peaceful loop along the Lower River Dart, starting in Dartmouth and taking in both Kingswear and Dartmouth Castles, Brittania Naval College, Dittisham Village, Sir Walter Raleigh’s Boathouse and Greenway House. From late June to September, your trip will likely be on the historic paddle steamer – the last remaining coal-fired steamer in the UK!
Dartmouth to Totnes River Cruise (90 mins, each way): This leisurely cruise takes you along the Dart past Greenway House, the Sharpham Estate, riverside villages of Stoke Gabriel and Dittisham all the way to the charming town of Totnes. You can return by boat or hop off and travel back to Dartmouth by bus.
Combine a trip on the steam train with a river cruise for a fantastic family day out. Take the steam train from Paignton to Kingswear, then hop across the River Dart to Dartmouth on the passenger ferry. Board one of the river boats and enjoy a sightseeing cruise along the river and estuary – don’t forget to watch out for wildlife, including Dolphins, Seals and Herons. After you’ve explored Dartmouth, you can take the passenger ferry back across to Kingswear to pick up your return steam train back to Paignton.
For the full Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway and Steam Boat experience, book the award-winning Round Robin tour – a combination of a steam train ride, river boat cruise and bus trip, visiting the Devon towns of Paignton, Dartmouth and Totnes. It’s the most unique way to discover the glorious South Devon coast and countryside. Start in Paignton, travelling by bus to Totnes, where you will pick up a boat and enjoy a 90-minute cruise to Dartmouth, hop across the river to Kingswear on the ferry for the final leg of your journey – a steam train ride back to Paignton. Services run throughout the day so you can spend time in each town, just make sure you have a timetable to hand.
The Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company services run from May through to October, with some reduced services in the winter. For timetables and ticket information, visit their website: https://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/
You’ll need somewhere to rest your head after a day of adventuring on land and sea. Our clifftop lodges, self-catering cottages and mobile homes are located just a short drive from Dartmouth on the stunning South Devon coastline. With far reaching views and easy access to some of the best beaches in the UK, Leonards Cove Holiday Village is the perfect choice for your Devon getaway.
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