What's On
Explore
- Areas to Visit
- Cities, Towns & Villages
  - Ashburton
  - Axminster
  - Barnstaple
  - Beer
  - Bideford
  - Bovey Tracey
  - Brixham
  - Budleigh Salterton
  - Chagford
  - Combe Martin
  - Crediton
  - Croyde
  - Cullompton
  - Dartmouth
  - Dawlish
  - Exeter
  - Exmouth
  - Honiton
  - Ilfracombe
  - Kingsbridge
  - Moretonhampstead
  - Newton Abbot
  - Okehampton
  - Ottery St Mary
  - Paignton
  - Plymouth
  - Salcombe
  - Seaton
  - Sidmouth
  - Slapton
  - South Molton
  - Tavistock
  - Teignmouth
  - Tiverton
  - Torquay
  - Totnes
  - Westward Ho!
  - Woolacombe
- Eco Friendly Devon
- Dog Friendly Devon
- History and Heritage
  - D Day in Devon
  - Dartmoor’s Myths and Legends
- Webcams in Devon
Accommodation
Things To Do
Food & Drink
Conferences
Weddings
Special Offers
Visitor Info
COVID-19
- Good to Go Accommodation
- Good to Go Things to Do

Don't miss

You are here > Visitor Info > More Information > Five of Devon’s most scenic train lines

Five of Devon’s most scenic train lines

25th September 2019

Categories: Visitor News

Why not leave the car at home and explore Devon by train? Not only are many of the towns serviced by mainline rail allowing you to easily travel, but the rail network will take you through some of the county’s most scenic areas, here are our five favourite scenic train routes across Devon.

The Riviera Line
This is the famous one that those travelling across the south west will be most familiar with as the trains travelling through Devon from the Somerset/Wiltshire area will likely take this route. This route passes right alongside the Exe Estuary and links Exeter with the English Riviera. There are plenty of picturesque places to stop along this route too including Torquay, Teignmouth, Paignton, Dawlish and Newton Abbot.

The Avocet Line

Much like the Riviera Line, this route also passes along the Exe Estuary for most of the journey offering incredible views across the water and of the south Devon coastline. This route is particularly good for those of you that love bird watching as you can often spot geese and other water birds from the train.

The Tarka Line
As the name suggests, this line is the one that goes up towards the north of Devon and follows the rivers Yeo and Taw giving you some incredible views and taking you across scenery that you wouldn’t get to appreciate you from the driver’s seat of a car. Use this route to travel from Exeter in mid Devon up to Barnstaple, the end of the line.

The East Devon Line

This line is the gateway to the Jurassic Coast which is famous for its dramatic cliffs and fabulous coastal walks. The train route takes you through huge swathes of countryside which looks lovely whatever the season.

South Devon Railway
If you’re a fan of nostalgia, you’ll love a trip om the South Devon Railway route. This route is serviced by steam trains and runs along the River Dart between Buckfastleigh and Totnes. It’s one of the region’s best loved attractions and it’s not hard to see why, there is something very special about chugging along in a traditional steam train with a backdrop of rolling fields.