A ‘COMPASS TOURS’ DAY EXCURSION
BY SPECIAL TRAIN
BY SPECIAL TRAIN
BRIEF ROUTE COMMENTARY: After picking up our passengers we start the day with a run along the very scenic Welsh Marches line, which starts the day with a backdrop of the Long Mynd, thence heads via Ludlow and Hereford along the borders. We head adjacent to the edge of the Brecons National Park at Abergavenny and continue our journey into South Wales with a mountainous background, then passing through Pontypool and Cwmbran and near Newport and the River Usk heading eastbound towards the River Severn. A long tunnel, the famous Severn Tunnel, (the longest in Britain before the advent of the Channel Tunnel) takes us underneath the River and back into England and the County of Avon. From here we continue by way of the huge city of Bristol, and opt for the Great Western mainline route, which takes us south through miles of lush green countryside, a few miles adjacent to the coastline. The route passes nearby to the famous resort of Weston-Super-Mare and through Burnham-on-Sea and Bridgwater. Now deep into the large county of Somerset we pass through the cider-producing town of Taunton (where a connection to the West Somerset Railway goes off). South of here the train continues its run on the Great Western route to Devon via Wellington and Tiverton through many miles of pleasant countryside. We expect to arrive into Exeter St Davids at around 12:00.
CITY OF EXETER: Exeter is probably Devon’s capital for culture, leisure and shopping. Surrounded by beautiful countryside and just a few miles from the sea, Exeter brims with colourful character and offers a delightful mix of high quality attractions, restaurants and shops in a setting of architectural splendour. Enjoy heritage, arts, festivals and award winning locally produced food and drink or venture beyond the city and explore the Jurassic Coast of East Devon and the National Parks of Dartmoor and Exmoor. Main attractions include St Peter’s cathedral, the Guildhall, guided tours, an historical quayside, the Royal Albert museum and art gallery, Tuckers Hall, the city walls, Rougemont Gardens and the beautiful Exe estuary. You can’t be stuck for finding things to do and are assured the warmest of welcomes by this interesting city. Return departure time is expected to be in the region of 17:30.
TORQUAY & PAIGNTON: Alternatively you may enjoy the famous run leaving Exeter across the estuary, through Starcross thence along arguably England’s most famous section of seaside railway, for many years with rail enthusiasts and families alike, as we head via Dawlish and Teignmouth along the distinctive grandeur of the route’s sandstone cliffs. At Newton Abbot the train joins the Paignton branch line, which takes us through Torre before reaching the English Riviera’s exclusive and extremely popular resort of Torquay. Arrival into Torquay is expected to be around 12:35 and Paignton at 12:45.
Torquay has been one of the UK’s top holiday destinations since Victorian Times when the gentry promenaded, bathing huts were wheeled down the beaches and anyone who was anyone had an attractive villa overlooking the sea. It was the Victorians who first used the Riviera name to describe their favourite resort and their legacy remains to this day with sparkling white villas perched on the verdant hilltops, beautiful gardens around the seafront and elegant Victorian facades along the main streets. Torquay’s famous seven hills provide the backdrop to a waterfront scene that matches anything you’ll find on the French Riviera. Torquay's waterfront is the focus of life in the town. Here you'll find the palm-lined promenade, seafront gardens, a lively harbour and an international marina. Yet within minutes of the town centre there are beautiful beaches easily accessible by foot, road or water. There is an abundance of pavement cafes, pubs, restaurants, good quality shops and a host of attractions to suit every interest.
Nearby to Torquay and Paignton is the popular destination of Brixham (with its full sized replica of the 1577 built Golden Hind stationed in the harbour) but in Torquay itself there is much to do and see including the Princess Gardens, Royal Terrace Gardens, Abbey Park, Cockington Court and Country Park, Tessier Gardens, Bygones replica Victorian street, Kents Cavern (and Caves), the Babbacombe Cliff Railway and Babbacombe Model Village. Return from Torquay at around 16:55 is expected, and 16:45 from Paignton
At Paignton there is no shortage of things to do either and you may like to combine your time between destinations. Its long sandy beaches, colourful atmosphere, paddler-friendly waters and first class attractions are the essential ingredients for a magical day out. During the summer months life seems to revolve around the seafront which comes alive to the sound of laughter and holiday fun. But there is also another side to this distinctive seaside town, which can be found in the elegance of Oldway Mansion, the stories of old Paignton told at 500 year old Kirkham House and the green coastline around Elberry Cove. By day there are attractions galore – Paignton Zoo, Quaywest Waterpark and the Paignton to Dartmouth Steam Railway.
A ride along the Paignton and Dartmouth steam railway (easily accessed by simply crossing platforms on arrival off our train) takes you for seven miles in the full Great Western tradition along the spectacular Torbay coast to Churston and through the wooded slopes bordering the Dart estuary to Kingswear. The scenery is superb, with seascapes right across Lyme Bay to Portland Bill on clear days. Approaching Kingswear is the beautiful River Dart, with its fascinating craft, and on the far side, the olde worlde town of Dartmouth and the famous Britannia Royal Naval College, Butterwalk, Bayard’s Cove and Dartmouth Castle.
RELATED WEBSITES:
http://www.beautiful-devon.co.uk/
http://www.visitdevonandcornwall.com/
http://www.exeter.gov.uk/tourism
http://www.theenglishriviera.co.uk/
http://www.english-riviera.com/
http://www.torquay.com/
http://www.paigntonpier.co.uk/
http://www.paignton-steamrailway.co.uk/
ESTMATED TIMINGS: *PLEASE NOTE times are only those that have been requested. Confirmed final times will be sent out with your tickets around four or five days before the tour when Network Rail advise us of them.
CHILDREN UNDER 5 YRS can be brought on the train free of charge only if not taking up a seat and sharing seats with accompanying adults.
REFRESHMENTS: A buffet service of snacks, hot and cold drinks, and alcoholic beverages is available to all our passengers throughout the day – as well as an at seat trolley service in first class seating areas, operating at occasional intervals.
THE TRAIN: The train is hired in and operated through licensed UK rolling stock providers and train operating companies and formed entirely of traditional intercity carriages hauled by heritage British Built diesel traction throughout. First class passengers are seated in tables of 2 or 4 seats with curtains, larger more deeply cushioned reclining seating. Standard class is seated mainly in bays of 4 seats around a table (but some trains convey a little standard class accommodation with private ‘airline’ style bays which have 2 seats together with folding tables – please contact our office though if you are unsure as to whether they are specifically available). If you have specific seating requests or type – please give us plenty of notice, ideally when booking.
Many of our recent Railtours have been very busy or fully subscribed so early booking is advised!
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