A terrific Tamar Valley experience

Join the Route 25 Plymouth City Bus at Royal Parade A16 stop, Plymouth

Limber up to your fantastic day-out by being whisked in a whistlestop tour on the truly brilliant 25 bus which cuts through the heart of pulsating Plymouth, through the historic Barbican and waterfront, up the historic Hoe, with its naval history and panoramic views before arriving back at Royal Parade.

Get off the bus back at Royal Parade and walk to Plymouth Railway Station

It’s a 13 minute, 0.6 mile walk downhill to Plymouth Railway Station via Armada Way. There’s plenty of time for a coffee and snack en route, maybe at the delightful Ground Coffee House at Beckley Court, 192 Armada Way with its sumptuous carrot cake, sourdough toasties and brownies!

Join the Great Western Railway train at Plymouth Railway Station

A delightful journey through the Tamar Valley commences, combining docks, rivers, iconic bridges, lush woodland and quaint villages. It’s an enchanted trip that will leave you in raptures.

Alight the train at Bere Ferrers station

The Tamar Valley line is resplendent in railway architecture of a bygone, golden era and it feels as though time has forgotten this fab line, which has a sleepy but blissfully innocent atmosphere, no better than at this vintage station. If you are planning a longer trip, maybe a staycation in the region, then it’s worth exploring the fantastic Tamar Belle Heritage Centre here, with its railway paraphernalia and artifacts, including a super signal box, dining car, turntable and much more! If you are doing so, then, it’s essential to phone up first on 07813 360066 to arrange your first. Be sure to also check out their website too at https://www.tamarbelle.co.uk/

Stop for lunch at the renowned The Olde Plough Inn, a family run pub in Bere Ferrers with a great vibe, fantastic customer service and freshly cooked food with local ingredients. There’s also a wonderful circular walk from the station alongside the river and past this charming pub! The pub is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, but opens at noon on other days.

Get back on board the train at Bere Ferrers station

The scenic adventure continues and it’s off to Calstock and along the dramatic, viaduct, 35 metres above the River Tamar and with stunning views of the Valley.

Disembark the train at Calstock for a fun exploration

Peruse the wonderful village of Calstock and enjoy a walk alongside the River Tamar up Lower Kelly. Devour the delightful views of the railway viaduct and towards the looming Prospect Tower and Cotehele National Trust property, which is worth visiting if you feel like getting a later train onto Gunnislake or just returning afterwards to Plymouth. When returning to Calstock station, maybe continue a few minutes further and pop in for a swift pint in The Tamar Inn.

Back on the train at Calstock

For those who like to say they’ve travelled on the entire line (and who can blame them?!), then it’s back on the train to the final station as the train shuffles its way up the steep terrain and tree-lined landscape to Gunnislake, where it arrives at 17:24.

If you are enjoying Calstock so much and your pint in the Tamar Inn, perhaps, then simply join the train at 17:45 back to Plymouth and miss out on the brief sojourn to Gunnislake!

Arrive back at Plymouth

Maybe catch a breath of fresh air again on the platform at Gunnislake as the driver changes ends and the train makes its way through the lush countryside, winding its way back to pulsating Plymouth

Arrive back in Plymouth

It’s been a great day, but Plymouth is famous for its nightlife, so why not enjoy the many great dining options and bars in Barbican, where the vibe is always buzzing. Take in a play at the Mayflower Theatre or for the adventurous, then there’s nightclubs aplenty in this most vibrant of UK cities!