Heritage Railways

South Devon Rail wa y

The multi-award winning South Devon Railway is one of Devon’s and the West Country’s best loved tourist attractions and is the longest established steam railway in the south west, celebrating over 50 years in preservation.

Swa nage Rai lwa y

Located in the Isle of Purbeck, the rebuilt Swanage Railway is the perfect place to enjoy a great family day out on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast.

The heritage railway attraction operates full-size steam and diesel passenger trains along the five and a half miles of line from Norden to Corfe Castle and down to the Victoria seaside town of Swanage.

The line has stations at Corfe Castle and Harman’s Cross as well as a halt at Herston, on the outskirts of Swanage.

There are refreshment buffets at Norden and Swanage stations with picnic tables at most of the stations so you can soak up the atmosphere while enjoying a picnic.

Their station shop at Swanage is well stocked with souvenirs, railway books and DVDs, a large selection of items for model railways as well as clothing, railway prints and gifts for all ages.

No group visit to Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole or Dorset will be complete without a journey on the Swanage Railway. They offer organised groups single or return journeys, so you can combine the visit to their railway with a time at Corfe Castle, Swanage and its beautiful beaches or a boat trip from Swanage pier.

Looking for something special for your group, why not arrange a meal on their premium dining train, The Wessex Belle, or perhaps afternoon tea in their historic observation car. For a lighter meal option, they offer a range of picnic boxes and drinks that your guests can eat at their table during the journey. Whatever the composition of your group, the Swanage Railway will provide interest and enjoyment for all.

Full details of their services, timetables, group fares and latest information can be found on their website at www swana gera ilwa y co uk www s out hdevonrail wa y co uk

Your booking (for 20 or more passengers) includes reserved seats on specific train(s) and two free tickets for your driver and guide.

There is convenient coach drop off adjacent to Norden and Swanage stations and coach parking at Purbeck Park, next to Norden station, and a five minutes walk from Swanage station in the main beach car park. Corfe Castle Station is a few minutes walk from Corfe Castle.

The SDR is a seven mile former Great Western Railway branch line, built in 1872, which runs along the stunning valley of the River Dart between Buckfastleigh and Totnes. They run steam trains with heritage rolling stock and offer a wonderful all day, all weather attraction for families and people of all ages.

Once they are back to normal and fully open again, you’ll be able to ride the South Devon Railway and, while you are with them, visit the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm and Dartmoor Otters & Buckfast Butterflies: 3 Great Attractions, 1 Amazing Day.

Find them just off the A38 at Buckfastleigh, very close to the famous Buckfast Abbey, or by train to Totnes on the Great Western main line.

Buckfastleigh is around 22 miles from Exeter, 21 miles from Plymouth, 19 miles from Dartmouth and 13 miles from Paignton.

West Somerset Rail wa y

West Somerset Railway Group Bookings give passengers discounted train fares, seat reservations, reservation notices and the option to have catering from their special menu.

Pre-booked Groups of 16 passengers and above enjoy discounted travel on the West Somerset Railway.

Please call 01643 700398 (Monday - Friday 9am4.00pm) or email gr oup s@wsra il net

They will check availability, and answer any questions you have asked them about dates, timings, prices and catering and get you booked in. They do not accept Group Bookings during special events, such as Steam and Diesel Galas. On Special Event Days and Galas ticket prices are slightly more. If you do wish to travel on these days they can sell you tickets at the special event advance rate, but cannot offer seat reservations or Group Catering other than buying food from the on train Buffet Car. They will require full payment for these tickets at the time of booking.

General Information

They have a maximum capacity of 120 pre-booked Group Travel seats on each train. However they are flexible in their arrangements wherever possible and will gladly add (subject to availability) additional coaches to meet your needs. It does make good sense to call early as they receive many bookings and the earlier you can confirm your date of choice they can book you in.

Please allow 30 minutes prior your departure time so that you can complete any paperwork at the Booking Office and get aboard in a relaxed manner, ahead of a quiet enjoyable journey through 20 miles of beautiful Somerset countryside.

www west-somers etrai lwa y co uk