Take a steam-powered journey along the beautiful Devon countryside and coast, with the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company. Choose to travel by train, boat (or both!) and you’ll enjoy a unique perspective on our breathtaking county, and a great day out. Explore some of the best South Devon towns and villages, and experience wonderful scenery as you travel through the countryside.
Hop on your Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway train at Paignton Station and take a breathtaking journey along the Torbay coast and the Dart Estuary, taking in the picturesque countryside, before reaching colourful village of Kingswear (just across the River Dart from Dartmouth). In Kingswear you can enjoy wonderful views over Dartmouth, take a stroll along the Dart Valley Trail to Greenway (Agatha Christie’s Holiday Home), or pick up the South West Coast Path, which will take you to Kingswear Castle and the 80ft Daymark. Or you can hop on a ferry across the river to Dartmouth (foot passenger ferry tickets are free with your train ticket).
If you’re keen to get on the water during your stay, the Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company have two River Dart cruise options for you to choose from.
Lower Dart River Cruise (55 mins, total): Enjoy a peaceful loop along the Lower River Dart, starting in Dartmouth and taking in both Kingswear and Dartmouth Castles, Brittania Naval College, Dittisham Village, Sir Walter Raleigh’s Boathouse and Greenway House. From late June to September, your trip will likely be on the historic paddle steamer – the last remaining coal-fired steamer in the UK!
Dartmouth to Totnes River Cruise (90 mins, each way): This leisurely cruise takes you along the Dart past Greenway House, the Sharpham Estate, riverside villages of Stoke Gabriel and Dittisham all the way to the charming town of Totnes. You can return by boat or hop off and travel back to Dartmouth by bus.
Combine a trip on the steam train with a river cruise for a fantastic family day out. Take the steam train from Paignton to Kingswear, then hop across the River Dart to Dartmouth on the passenger ferry. Board one of the river boats and enjoy a sightseeing cruise along the river and estuary – don’t forget to watch out for wildlife, including Dolphins, Seals and Herons. After you’ve explored Dartmouth, you can take the passenger ferry back across to Kingswear to pick up your return steam train back to Paignton.
For the full Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway and Steam Boat experience, book the award-winning Round Robin tour – a combination of a steam train ride, river boat cruise and bus trip, visiting the Devon towns of Paignton, Dartmouth and Totnes. It’s the most unique way to discover the glorious South Devon coast and countryside. Start in Paignton, travelling by bus to Totnes, where you will pick up a boat and enjoy a 90-minute cruise to Dartmouth, hop across the river to Kingswear on the ferry for the final leg of your journey – a steam train ride back to Paignton. Services run throughout the day so you can spend time in each town, just make sure you have a timetable to hand.
The Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company services run from May through to October, with some reduced services in the winter. For timetables and ticket information, visit their website: https://www.dartmouthrailriver.co.uk/
You’ll need somewhere to rest your head after a day of adventuring on land and sea. Our clifftop lodges, self-catering cottages and mobile homes are located just a short drive from Dartmouth on the stunning South Devon coastline. With far reaching views and easy access to some of the best beaches in the UK, Leonards Cove Holiday Village is the perfect choice for your Devon getaway.
The picturesque town of Dartmouth is a real haven for foodies. Situated on the beautiful south coast of Devon, its waterfront prom and historic streets are lined with a multitude of places to eat, drink and lap up the atmosphere.
As the lush greens of summer start to mellow into the golden hues of autumn, South Devon becomes an idyllic place to head into the Great Outdoors.
Perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of cities and busy towns, many of these gardens are close to Leonards Cove, and easy to access via a short drive.
Our town guide has been crafted so that when you visit Dartmouth, you’ll have an idea of what to expect, what makes Dartmouth special, and our recommendations of what we think you should be doing whilst you’re there.
With a diverse mixture of sandy beaches, medieval towns, quaint fishing villages and rugged moorland, South Devon is one of the UK's most popular summer holiday destinations.
Sandwiched between the Dorset and Cornish borders, South Devon includes 50 beautiful and varied beaches and the famed English Riviera coastal towns of Brixham, Paignton and Torquay. The South West Coastal Path twists and turns through 125 miles of South Devon, countryside, passing the welcoming towns of Seaton, Dawlish, Torquay and Salcombe.
A rugged expanse of natural wonder, Dartmoor has been captivating visitors with awe-inspiring landscapes and intriguing legends for generations. Even legendary movie director Steven Spielberg was struck by the landscapes he found as the quote above shows. Across granite tors, pristine valleys and the remnants of civilisations gone by, Dartmoor is the chance to truly immerse yourself in the great outdoors.
Are you planning your next holiday in South Devon, but unsure where to start? Perhaps you've heard about the stunning coastal views and charming villages but wonder what else the region has to offer? If so, you're not alone. Many visitors to South Devon may overlook one of its most remarkable features: its wealth of captivating castles. If you're a history lover or simply enjoy exploring architectural marvels, Devon is the perfect destination for your next adventure.
If there’s one thing that South Devon has in abundance, it’s sensational beaches. Welcome to a land of rockpools and grassy dunes, rugged cliffs and secluded coves, sandy beaches and surfing spots. South Devon boasts a medley of beautiful coastlines with some of the best beaches in the country.
With so many options, it can be hard to know where to lay your beach towel. So, we’ve rounded up five of the best beaches in South Devon to help you decide.
Take a steam-powered journey along the beautiful Devon countryside and coast, with the Paignton and Dartmouth Steam Railway and River Boat Company. Choose to travel by train, boat (or both!) and you’ll enjoy a unique perspective on our breathtaking county, and a great day out.