T

here is no better way to explore the river woodland and tumbling fresh water of the Dart North than by catching a steam train for the seven mile journey from Paignton to Kingswear.

This hiss of the steam train only adds a romantic old world charm to one of the most scenic train rides to be found anywhere on the planet.

Run by the Darthmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company the steam locomotive starts from Paignton Station and initially chugs past Paignton Sands and Quaywest Water Park, taking in the spectacular Torbay coastline and the wooded hills along the Dart Estuary. Wait for the steep incline whose ascent offers some wonderful views of the Devon coastline.

After going past Churston, the train runs inland and proceeds along the Dart Valley before reaching Kingswear.  Throughout the hour long journey you’ll pass through as designated Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty and expect to see incredible wildlife such dolphins, seals, kingfishers, buzzards, and egrets.

And for the icing on the stream train cake, from Kingwear take the passenger ferry, across the River Dart to the historic town of Dartmouth; home to the Britannia Royal Naval College, Bayards Cove, Butterwalk and Dartmouth Castle.

Now that is a day out!