Leaving the city of Plymouth behind you, immerse yourself in the views of the Tamar Valley.
Leaving the city of Plymouth behind you, immerse yourself in the views of the Tamar Valley.
Take a window seat and enjoy the rolling countryside, sleepy villages and tranquil river crossings. Across the viaduct, explore the village of Calstock, with its great pubs and ice cream parlour.
The highlight of the journey is when the train slowly creeps down over the Calstock viaduct and you are 120 feet high looking down on the river below. Look closely out of the window and see the National Trust house Cotehele nestled in the woods.
Dogs are welcome on the train.
The journey takes roughly 45 minutes end to end.
The highlight is when the train travels over the Calstock Viaduct which links Devon and Cornwall.
Calstock is a lovely riverside village, just half an hour from Plymouth. Arrive over the Calstock Viaduct then explore the village’s pubs, cafe and ice cream parlour. Take a walk alongside the Tamar and through the woods to Cotehele National Trust.
Bere Ferrers is a lovely village set against the scenic backdrop of the River Tavy and sits within the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The village pub, The Plough Inn, is family run and its menu is freshly cooked using local ingredients.
Plymouth’s historic waterfront area is only a 15 minute walk from the station where you can imagine Francis Drake taking in the same views as he looked out on the Armada. Wander the Barbican’s quaint cobbled streets, picturesque harbour and explore the independent shops, art galleries, bars and cafes.
If you fancy a quiet pint over-looking the river then look no further than the Tamar Inn. The pub dates from the 17th century and was once the haunt of smugglers and highwaymen.
Good local food, real ales and regular live music all go to make this a great pub to visit on a day out. You can also combine it with trips to other fantastic pubs as part of the Tamar Valley Rail Ale Trail.
Cotehele is a Tudor House perched high above the River Tamar.
Explore the outside in the formal gardens or the estate walks.
The estate can be reached from Calstock station by a lovely 1.2 mile walk. The walk follows the banks or the river before climbing up into the woods of the estate (get directions).
Every year the village of Bere Ferrers plays host to a riot of spring colour with its annual Spring Flower Show. With 48 different categories just for spring flowers, as well as cakes and jams.
Valid after 09 00 Mon-Fri and any time on weekends or Bank Holidays
Children under the age of 5 travel free and don’t require a ticket.
For advice on taking buggies or prams on the train visit our page about travelling with kids.
5 to 15 year olds get 50% off. Over 15s are classed as adults, but can save with the 16-17 Saver or a 16-25 railcard.
It’s also worth checking out the Family & Friends railcard.
Groups of three to nine people who buy their ticket together get a third off thanks to the Groupsave discount.
Groupsave is valid on Off-Peak Day Return tickets on Great Western Railway services.
On the Tamar Valley Line, this includes all trains that depart after 09 00 Monday-Friday (or 09 30 for some longer journeys) and any time on weekends or Bank Holidays.
Live locally? For just £12 a year this card gives Devon and Cornwall residents a third off most Standard Off-Peak tickets for you and a friend when travelling in the two counties. You can also take up to four accompanying children (ages 5-15) on the journey for £1 each.
Find out more and get yours.
Whether you want to travel Standard or First Class, national railcards give a third off Anytime, Off-Peak and Advanced fares. Most cost just £30 a year.
Available railcards include:
16-25
26-30
Senior
Two Together
Disabled Persons (£20)
Family & Friends
There is also a 16-17 Saver which offers even better savings.
On the Tamar Valley Line, Off-Peak Day Return tickets for trips like Plymouth to Calstock (£7.90) are valid for journeys after 09 00 Mon-Fri and any time on weekends or Bank Holidays. Look up train times.
(For longer distance journeys you can save a lot of money by booking up to 12 weeks in advance).
Buy your ticket online on the GWR app or website.
Or buy your ticket in person:
Plymouth station
Plymouth station has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.
If you are boarding at an unstaffed station that does not have ticket buying facilities you can buy your ticket on the train from the Conductor.
You can also buy at other stations on the national rail network that have a ticket machine or ticket office.
Devon & Cornwall Railcard
If you live locally you and a friend can save a third on Off-Peak travel in the two counties. Just £12 a year.
Read more
National railcards
Get a third off many rail journeys nationwide. Most railcards cost £30 a year.
Read more
Groupsave
Groups of 3 to 9 people travelling together get a third off Off-Peak Day Return fares on GWR services.
Read more
Devon Day Ranger
Explore Devon’s rail network for a day. The Ranger covers all routes in Devon, plus the Tamar Valley Line.
£16 Adult | £8 Child (5-15).
Read more
Child fares
Under 5s travel free and do not require a ticket. 5-15 year olds are half price.
Average each way
Shorter running hours on Sundays
No trains 25-26 December
On the Tamar Valley Line, Off-Peak Day Return tickets for trips like Plymouth to Calstock (£7.90) are valid for journeys after 09 00 Mon-Fri and any time on weekends or Bank Holidays. Look up train times.
(For longer distance journeys you can save a lot of money by booking up to 12 weeks in advance).
Buy your ticket online on the GWR app or website.
Or buy your ticket in person:
Plymouth station
Plymouth station has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.
If you are boarding at an unstaffed station that does not have ticket buying facilities you can buy your ticket on the train from the Conductor.
You can also buy at other stations on the national rail network that have a ticket machine or ticket office.
Devon & Cornwall Railcard
If you live locally you and a friend can save a third on Off-Peak travel in the two counties. Just £12 a year.
Read more
National railcards
Get a third off many rail journeys nationwide. Most railcards cost £30 a year.
Read more
Groupsave
Groups of 3 to 9 people travelling together get a third off Off-Peak Day Return fares on GWR services.
Read more
Devon Day Ranger
Explore Devon’s rail network for a day. The Ranger covers all routes in Devon, plus the Tamar Valley Line.
£16 Adult | £8 Child (5-15).
Read more
Child fares
Under 5s travel free and do not require a ticket. 5-15 year olds are half price.
On the Tamar Valley Line, Off-Peak Day Return tickets for trips like Plymouth to Calstock (£7.90) are valid for journeys after 09 00 Mon-Fri and any time on weekends or Bank Holidays. Look up train times.
(For longer distance journeys you can save a lot of money by booking up to 12 weeks in advance).
Buy your ticket online on the GWR app or website.
Or buy your ticket in person:
Plymouth station
Plymouth station has a ticket office (opening times) and ticket machine. You must buy your ticket before you board.
If you are boarding at an unstaffed station that does not have ticket buying facilities you can buy your ticket on the train from the Conductor.
You can also buy at other stations on the national rail network that have a ticket machine or ticket office.
Devon & Cornwall Railcard
If you live locally you and a friend can save a third on Off-Peak travel in the two counties. Just £12 a year.
Read more
National railcards
Get a third off many rail journeys nationwide. Most railcards cost £30 a year.
Read more
Groupsave
Groups of 3 to 9 people travelling together get a third off Off-Peak Day Return fares on GWR services.
Read more
Devon Day Ranger
Explore Devon’s rail network for a day. The Ranger covers all routes in Devon, plus the Tamar Valley Line.
£16 Adult | £8 Child (5-15).
Read more
Child fares
Under 5s travel free and do not require a ticket. 5-15 year olds are half price.