Dartmoor Railway
Dartmoor Railway
4
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
192 reviews
Excellent
120
Very good
29
Average
15
Poor
7
Terrible
21
therichastill
Stevenage, UK3,497 contributions
Mar 2022
The Dartmoor Line was reopened by Network Rail in conjunction with Devon CC and GWR in November of 2021 so there are now trains every two hours (at the time of writing) with plans to increase capacity in the future.
I visited on a Monday in March and the train there and my return later in the day were both well used. There are bus links to the station at Okehampton which is good as this will feed the train.
The scenery is beautiful and well worth checking out.
There are cheap deals on tickets. You can get a ticket to travel on way from Exeter to Okehampton for only £4. BARGAIN!
I visited on a Monday in March and the train there and my return later in the day were both well used. There are bus links to the station at Okehampton which is good as this will feed the train.
The scenery is beautiful and well worth checking out.
There are cheap deals on tickets. You can get a ticket to travel on way from Exeter to Okehampton for only £4. BARGAIN!
Written March 8, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Charles Manley
1 contribution
Dec 2019
W took a party of 11, children aged between 5 and 14. We paid extra for Premium class as this was a special trip for the family. Our trip was in the afternoon so still daylight, The staff on the train were very enthusiastic and did their best but the carriages were dirty unclean and pretty worn out. Christmas Town in daylight was pretty disappointing but the entertainers were trying their best.
Our children had high expectations after watching Harry Potter, Polar Express etc. The biggest disappointment was no steam Loco, It was a vintage shunter. Class 08 and actually one of my favorite class of diesels! but a steam Loco would have made a real difference, adding real magic to the experience.
Next year we will be not coming back, choosing the Bodmin and wenford Railway again as we have done for the past 10 years.
I would really appreciate some feedback from the railway but wont hold my breath.
Certainly not value for money.
Our children had high expectations after watching Harry Potter, Polar Express etc. The biggest disappointment was no steam Loco, It was a vintage shunter. Class 08 and actually one of my favorite class of diesels! but a steam Loco would have made a real difference, adding real magic to the experience.
Next year we will be not coming back, choosing the Bodmin and wenford Railway again as we have done for the past 10 years.
I would really appreciate some feedback from the railway but wont hold my breath.
Certainly not value for money.
Written January 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John S
1 contribution
Jun 2021
Visited this station today and found out the following:
Dartmoor Railway CIC went into administration in Feb 2020. The company has subsequently been liquidated. So no surpries that some haven't received any reply to their enquiries.
The railway has subsequently been sold to Network Rail with an intention to introduce regular train services later in 2021 between Exeter and Okehampton. These will be operated by GWR (Great Western Railway).
Part of the station is currently open on weekends and bank holidays staffed by members of the volunteer Dartmoor Railway Association. This includes the Museum and building on platform 2. Also offering teas, coffees etc.
There are currently no heritage train services running.
Dartmoor Railway CIC went into administration in Feb 2020. The company has subsequently been liquidated. So no surpries that some haven't received any reply to their enquiries.
The railway has subsequently been sold to Network Rail with an intention to introduce regular train services later in 2021 between Exeter and Okehampton. These will be operated by GWR (Great Western Railway).
Part of the station is currently open on weekends and bank holidays staffed by members of the volunteer Dartmoor Railway Association. This includes the Museum and building on platform 2. Also offering teas, coffees etc.
There are currently no heritage train services running.
Written June 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chris
Nuneaton, UK7 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
My wife and I booked a trip from Okehampton to Exeter Central on 21st November. We were going to visit the Christmas Market and return within a couple of hours. When we arrived back at the station, the trains back to Okehampton were cancelled due to “water on the line”? That’s when the nightmare began. The GWR person told us to get on the train to Exeter St David’s. So we did. It turns out, that was just to get rid of us. The Trains were still cancelled to Okehampton. But the info boards said to catch the 5/5A bus back. It turned out that route had recently been abandoned by Stage Coach, the only company with a reciprocal agreement with GWR. We had to get a bus back into Exeter. Apparently to catch a “Go Bus”. The Go Bus drivers completely ignored us, so we ended up catching a bus to Crediton, then there’s a Go Bus that takes about 2 hours to get to Okehampton via Copplestone? So we got a Taxi. In all it cost us £56.60 to get back to Okehampton in bus and taxi fares. The information points at crediton didn’t work, and the advice we received from GWR was wrong and out of date. It’s a real shame because reopening this link is a life line to Okehampton, especially in terms of all the new house building going on. I won’t be risking taking this journey again. It wouldn’t have been beyond the wit of man for GWR to arrange a shuttle bus replacement. Oh yeah, and the car park at Okehampton was £4 instead of the £2 stated on line. ☹️👎
Written November 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan T
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Solo
I use the train service frequently to travel to Exeter Central . I travel 13 miles by car to access this vital route, and park at the ÀPCOA car park. The train, staff and cafe are excellent, everything you would want from this rural service. Yesterday I caught the last train back from Exeter, emerging at around 10 pm to complete darkness . I needed the torch light on my phone and sprinted quickly in the middle of the car park ( keys in hand, for heaven's sake) to get to my car. The total, pitch black would intimidate anyone, regardless of age and gender, if they are lone travellers. Surely a reasonably lit car park at night isn't too much to ask given the known risks?
I am sure that no-one agency is prepared to take responsibility, sadly. Recommend that anyone returning late does what they can to avoid parking in the car park at the top of the station. And take a torch.
I am sure that no-one agency is prepared to take responsibility, sadly. Recommend that anyone returning late does what they can to avoid parking in the car park at the top of the station. And take a torch.
Written August 28, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SuzieSarahDavies
Tavistock, UK161 contributions
Apr 2022 • Couples
We had a lovely train journey from Okehampton Railway Station to Exeter St. David’s yesterday. The train had two carriages that were spotless. A friendly inspector checked all tickets and helped a couple whose onward journey had been cancelled.
The views were beautiful of open countryside, winding rivers, golf course and plenty of animal life to enjoy.
The train called at Crediton before stopping at Exeter St. David’s. It was busy being a Sunday morning, which was great to see, as the service has only been operating since November 2021.
We would definitely recommend the train ride, which saves fuel and parking in Exeter.
The views were beautiful of open countryside, winding rivers, golf course and plenty of animal life to enjoy.
The train called at Crediton before stopping at Exeter St. David’s. It was busy being a Sunday morning, which was great to see, as the service has only been operating since November 2021.
We would definitely recommend the train ride, which saves fuel and parking in Exeter.
Written April 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Samuel007
Exeter, UK330 contributions
Nov 2022 • Couples
A really enjoyable journey followed by a great walk in the autumn sun. Then lunch at the fabulous Bulleid Buffet on Okehampton Station itself - everything hot and fresh and delicious. We were delighted by the restoration of the station, and by its smart and clean appearance. It was such a good outing.
Written November 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather H
United Kingdom67 contributions
Dec 2013 • Family
Christmas is in 18 weeks, do not make the same mistake that I made by thinking the polar express experience will be a special train ride inspired by magic. The amateur performers spoit the whole experience for my grandson who wanted to sit and listen to the story. The hot chocolate and cookie was of very poor quality, and the follow up customer service to my complaint was non-existent.
Written August 21, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bartlettmj
devon14 contributions
Dec 2017 • Family
With high expectation,my son paid £40 per head this very poor experience.There were problems with the tickets ,very poor response from the event managers. The parking was well organised,we were able to park without difficulty.Once on the platform it was all a it chaotic.Very poor fast food was available at highly inflated prices.Once boarded on the train , we were “entertained “ by manic actors with American accents ,that frequently slipped into English .A small hot chocolate and cookie was served on the journey.We were taken a few miles to the Christmas town (a cardboard house) with the elves and Santa waving .They joined the train for the return journey and ran manically up and down the carriage.The older children enjoyed it but absolutely not worth the ticket price.There was an actor dressed as a squirrel running up and down the carriage ,not sure where he fitted into the story ,but the BO was very unpleasant.Santa made his way along the carriage handing out unwrapped medals to the children as a gift .whilst he stopped to speak to everyone he was the most depressed Santa I have ever met! Not even a ho ho ho.....definitely a no no no next year
Written December 11, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Polly T
1 contribution
Dec 2016 • Family
To anyone thinking of booking this and expecting a magical train ride based on that classic Christmas family film The Polar Express .. I would say please DO NOT waste your money! You will be so disappointed!
The sad thing is that i booked it based on the knowledge that the Polar Express story is all about restoring the magic of Christmas and encouraging doubting children to believe... well thanks to this little outing my daughter, quite understandably, has a few more doubts... So, thank you for that Dartmoor railway!
It was an absolute joke! We arrived at the station expecting to see the Polar Express at the station instead we're met with a tired old 80's locomotive! The conductor - the Tom Hanks character in the film met us on to the train although he was nothing like the character from the film ... instead he was about 20 and covered in spots, had really bad breath and was wearing the worst stick on moustache i have ever seen! When we were seated in our filthy stained seats, with ash trays overflowing with rubbish in a really poorly decorated very tatty carriage we met our two chefs.. 2 very sweaty men in filthy chefs outfits with some glitter smeared under their eyes, making really bad jokes and looking pretty uninterested!
And so our journey began...yes, they sang the hot chocolate song, and delivered everyone a hot chocolate and a cookie... but please don't kid yourself this will be anything like the film... it was far from it! Then conductor slowly made his way up the carriage, hole punching the kids tickets with their first initial... very little magic here...it just looked like a very monotonous task! We were then played a reading of The polar Express while the chefs stood awkwardly one each end of the long carriage holding copies of the book in the air and complaining of how it made their arms ache! We did go through a tunnel which had some Christmas lights stuck up inside!! And then we arrived at the pole... just when you thought it couldn't get any worse... we saw from the train window a patch of fake snow ,,, (a very small patch) a couple of sheds with lights round them, some very small plastic reindeer and a very small very shabby sleigh! There were a few girls dressed as elves waving at us, we stopped they jumped on, accompanied by the most ridiculously bad father Christmas ... really unrealistic stuck on beard, cheap costume and more bad acting. He said a half hearted hello to all the kids and gave them a bell (which is the only quality thing i can take away from the experience!) and so we started our return journey home, which consisted of the 2 sweaty chefs and now a girl dressed as an elf encouraging the carriage of people to join in singing to some pretty bad cheesy Christmas songs.
So, not quite the magical journey i had hoped for. I have a 9 and 6 year old and like so many parents work really hard every year to keep the magic alive for them and make sure they have the best experience possible, only to have that completely ruined by this utter rubbish. Came away feeling totally ripped off and really upset that i had subjected my kids to that!
The sad thing is that i booked it based on the knowledge that the Polar Express story is all about restoring the magic of Christmas and encouraging doubting children to believe... well thanks to this little outing my daughter, quite understandably, has a few more doubts... So, thank you for that Dartmoor railway!
It was an absolute joke! We arrived at the station expecting to see the Polar Express at the station instead we're met with a tired old 80's locomotive! The conductor - the Tom Hanks character in the film met us on to the train although he was nothing like the character from the film ... instead he was about 20 and covered in spots, had really bad breath and was wearing the worst stick on moustache i have ever seen! When we were seated in our filthy stained seats, with ash trays overflowing with rubbish in a really poorly decorated very tatty carriage we met our two chefs.. 2 very sweaty men in filthy chefs outfits with some glitter smeared under their eyes, making really bad jokes and looking pretty uninterested!
And so our journey began...yes, they sang the hot chocolate song, and delivered everyone a hot chocolate and a cookie... but please don't kid yourself this will be anything like the film... it was far from it! Then conductor slowly made his way up the carriage, hole punching the kids tickets with their first initial... very little magic here...it just looked like a very monotonous task! We were then played a reading of The polar Express while the chefs stood awkwardly one each end of the long carriage holding copies of the book in the air and complaining of how it made their arms ache! We did go through a tunnel which had some Christmas lights stuck up inside!! And then we arrived at the pole... just when you thought it couldn't get any worse... we saw from the train window a patch of fake snow ,,, (a very small patch) a couple of sheds with lights round them, some very small plastic reindeer and a very small very shabby sleigh! There were a few girls dressed as elves waving at us, we stopped they jumped on, accompanied by the most ridiculously bad father Christmas ... really unrealistic stuck on beard, cheap costume and more bad acting. He said a half hearted hello to all the kids and gave them a bell (which is the only quality thing i can take away from the experience!) and so we started our return journey home, which consisted of the 2 sweaty chefs and now a girl dressed as an elf encouraging the carriage of people to join in singing to some pretty bad cheesy Christmas songs.
So, not quite the magical journey i had hoped for. I have a 9 and 6 year old and like so many parents work really hard every year to keep the magic alive for them and make sure they have the best experience possible, only to have that completely ruined by this utter rubbish. Came away feeling totally ripped off and really upset that i had subjected my kids to that!
Written January 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greetings, Have left various telephone messages/ sent emails/ checked website with no joy. Could anyone help with any of the following please. regarding a proposed trip on Saturday July 6th
1. My father has access difficulties not major, but is it easy to get in the carriage.
2. Is there catering on the 6th ? What food/ cream tea available at the Meldon Buffet carriage please.
3. I am quite tempted to jog to the destination/ Meldon Buffet carriage. with my brother to meet my parents there. Where is the destination please? Grid Reference? I presume you can stay there for as long as you like as long as you catch one on the schedule trains back.
4. Can you get a single ticket
5. Could you please guide on price re the different options.
6. How busy does it get . Is it ok to book up a day or two in advance ?
Many thanks
David
Written June 30, 2019
Yes, but not a lot on an Events day.
Written June 13, 2019
Booked this morning for the polar express, received a reservation number. Confirmation email meant to be sent but nothing has been received. Booked 12 hours ago. Tried ringing the 08000 number on the Dartmoor page, just music playing telling me to hold. Tried twice now 20mins each time. How did everyone else get their tickets and confirmation? Starting to worry a bit. Thanks for any help x
Written October 4, 2017
Maybe short staffed out of season, try emailing. I would not expect problems as I have always found them very reliable.
Written October 9, 2017
are you open new years day and how much pls
Written December 29, 2016
are you open new years day pls and the costs pls
Written December 29, 2016
Hello, unsure myself sorry not much help. Try calling them on 01837 52762. Hope this helps.
Written December 29, 2016
Amy S
London, United Kingdom
Hi I have seen that the dress code for evening is long trousers for men, can someone please tell me how strict this is. All the previous times we have visited my husband has never had to wear long trousers and has been fine with smart shorts. As its all inclusive, what would happen if my husband was to wear smart shorts for dinner?
Written September 16, 2015
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