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West Country Devon and Somerset Steam Railway Holiday

West Somerset Railway

The Great Western (Easter)

Easter delight in Devon…and Somerset

Holiday date: 2025, TBC
UK
This holiday was previously run with the following pricing, this is shown for information and may differ from future pricing.
6 days for  £1109 per person
£2218 for two people sharing
Single supplement £200
Tour reference: GW6/1

Take an Easter break in the West Country that avoids travelling on a bank holiday. Sample the cream of Devon and Somerset attractions during six days of steam and scenery. Exeter is a super base for this holiday and we are city centre, opposite Exeter Central Station – how convenient!

Holiday Highlights

Cliff top views at Pecorama & the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway
20 miles of steam on the West Somerset Railway
Enjoy desolate Dartmoor and the Plym Valley Railway
The English Riviera by steam to Dartmouth & a scenic river cruise
Local branch-lines to Exmouth, Okehampton & Barnstaple
A riverside ride on the Seaton tramway

Holiday Itinerary

Day 1 - Thursday
We meet early afternoon at Exeter St David’s Station and set off for afternoon fun at Bicton Park. Not just lovely gardens to explore but a narrow-gauge railway as well - this place is a delight! Later, we rail into Exeter from Exmouth, reunite with luggage, and check in for our first relaxing evening.
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 - Friday
An excursion to the west starts with a visit to a shopping centre with a difference, Trago Mills has both a model and a narrow-gauge railway. Then, we need some proper country steam and the South Devon Railway provides this. A lovely journey alongside the river Dart with authentic stations and atmosphere. In the afternoon we offer the chance for some time back in Exeter though you may like to join in with an informative walking tour led by an Exeter Redcoat – ‘hi de hi’!
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 3 - Saturday
To Somerset today using the inimitable “Tarka Line” to Barnstaple. Scenery unfolds as we head up to the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway, before an up and down coastal drive to Minehead. Our afternoon is spent with one of the country’s premier steam lines, the West Somerset Railway operating between Minehead, Watchet and Bishops Lydeard. We drive back south to Exeter completing a lovely, varied, “seasidey” day out!
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 4 - Sunday
A day of diverse and unusual attractions awaits as we set off from Exeter by rail on the re-established line to Okehampton. Then, admire the remote upland scenery that is Dartmoor as we track across to Morwellham Quay. On the banks of the Tamar this is a preserved period village that demonstrates the life of the miners – there’s even a mine train to ride. A little further south, on the outskirts of Plymouth we find the Plym Valley Railway which we expect to be in steam. After enjoying a friendly reception here, we transfer to Plymouth Station and jump on a train back to Exeter.
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 5 - Monday
The South Devon Circular - a “local” day spent enjoying the legendary steam railway, from Paignton to Kingswear (The Dartmouth Steam Railway). This is a lovely line that hugs the coast affording views of holidaymakers splashing in the freezing April waters and pretending it’s a warm summers day. But that is not all – explore the delights of Dartmouth before a really relaxing cruise on the River Dart to Totnes and the Dawlish Sea-Wall rail route back to Exeter. Days out don’t come much better than this!
Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 6 - Tuesday
Our last day and, typically, Inside Track will ensure you begin your journey home with fun and variety. So, we firstly head for Seaton (for a narrow gauge, open top – for it will be sunny!) tram to Colyton and Colyford. Then it is steam, gardens, and models as we visit Pecorama, perched on the cliff tops at Beer. We sign off with a drive back into Exeter where homeward bound journeys commence.
Meals: Breakfast

Railways

Coming soon!

Our Hotel(s)

4 Star

The Mercure Rougemont Hotel, Exeter

Located opposite Central Station in the heart of the city this is a grand ex-railway hotel. The public areas are imposing and all of the modern rooms boast the amenities one would expect – t.v., wi-fi, tea/coffee facilities and a bed! There is, of course, a bar and restaurant and to ensure quality of service, our evening meals will be at an agreed time, according to the day’s itinerary. After dining why not enjoy a stroll in the centre and view the Cathedral, which is just up the road.

Features and Facilities

Restaurant
Wi-Fi
Bar
Wheelchair accessible hotel
Room service
100% Non Smoking Property
Desk
Room service
Clothes rack
Safe
Iron

What's included

Transport

All heritage railway rides
All public transport journeys, in standard class accommodation
Private coach transfers throughout the holiday

Entertainment

All entrances
Detailed itinerary/information pack
Services of courier throughout

Accommodation

Hotel accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis

What's not included

Travel to/from the holiday start point
Personal holiday insurance
Porterage
Lunches
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