Thursday 11th September marks a special date in the history of the Looe Valley Line – the anniversary of its very first passenger services back in 1879. To celebrate, a series of free events will take place on the line as part of Railway 200, a nationwide programme marking 200 years of the modern railway.
What’s On
Moorswater Meander Guided Walk
Join local guide Mark for a fascinating 3.5-mile walk exploring the industrial heritage of the Moorswater area below Liskeard. Discover the story of the canal and railway, the valley’s granite and limestone links with Looe and Bodmin Moor, and why one west-country vicar doubted Brunel’s vision!
Start: Outside Liskeard Station (Platform 3) at 11:55am
Finish: Coombe Junction, returning on the 14:59 train (£3.40 fare)
Mostly tarmac paths with some short muddy stretches
Bring a drink and light snack
Please note: dogs are not permitted on the walk.
How to book
The guided walk is free to attend, but you will need to buy train tickets as usual. To book your place on this walk, please email Mark at walkaboutwest@btinternet.com and let him know how many people are in your party. Mark will email you back to confirm your booking.
Heritage Tours with Richard Burningham
Join Richard, Manager of the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership, for guided tours uncovering the Looe Valley Line’s rich history:
Liskeard Platform 3 tour – 11:20, meet by the Heritage Centre entrance on Platform 3 at Liskeard station
Join Richard for a short guided tour of the heritage centre on Platform 3 which was originally the Liskeard & Looe Railway’s station at Liskeard (approx 15 – 20 mins).
Looe station and Buller Quay – 12:30 Looe station, meet by the history sign at the Liskeard end of the station platform.
Join Richard to find out more about Looe station and the line to the quayside. This will include walking to where the railway originally ended. (approx 20 – 30 mins)
On train 13:29 from Looe to Liskeard and 13:58 Liskeard to Looe.
Join Richard on the train to find out more about the line’s history along the way. Please only join the tour for one journey ie either from Looe to Liskeard or from Liskeard to Looe.
Looe station and Buller Quay – 14:35 Looe station, meet by the history sign at the Liskeard end of the station platform
Join Richard to find out more about Looe station and the line to the quayside. This will include walking to where the railway originally ended (approx 20 – 30 mins).
Liskeard Platform 3 tour – 16:20, meet by the Heritage Centre entrance on Platform 3 at Liskeard station
Join Richard for a short guided tour of the heritage centre on Platform 3 which was originally the Liskeard & Looe Railway’s station at Liskeard (approx 15 – 20 mins).
Richard Burningham has been Manager of the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership since 1998. He has led several projects over that time to research and publicise the history of Looe’s railway, the first of which was an exhibition in the then long disused rooms on Platform 3 at Liskeard on 11th September 1999 to celebrate the 120th anniversary of passenger trains on the line.
The tours are free to attend, but you will need to buy train tickets as usual to travel on the train.
No booking is required for these Heritage Tours.
Discover More with the Free Heritage App
Bring the story of the Looe Valley Line to life with the free Heritage App (iOS & Android). As you travel, GPS-triggered stories and historic photos reveal the line’s secrets – from quirky tales like passengers once paying for their hat to ride, to why Liskeard’s clocks had to be wound on by 16 minutes. You can even meet a talking portrait of Horace Holbrook, the line’s Superintendent in 1908, at Liskeard and Looe stations.
Save a third off any adult fare for you and a friend (with kids travelling for just £1) with a Devon & Cornwall Railcard – just £12 a year for local residents. Now available to buy online.
Look up train times and buy rail tickets on the GWR website or app.
Walks from the railway
Rail Ale Trails
Beaches by train
Arts & culture
Book Trail
Vinyl Trail
Times and prices
Parking and public transport
Travelling with kids
Taking bikes
Travelling with dogs
Assisted travel
