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The Railway Touring Company · Steam rail day trip

The Royal Duchy (26 July 2026)

Steam train day trip from Bristol to Devon and Cornwall coastal line.

Illustration of The Royal Duchy (26 July 2026)

The Railway Touring Company operates a one-day steam train excursion departing 26 July 2026 from Bristol Temple Meads, running through Devon and into Cornwall. The journey travels the internationally famous Dawlish sea wall, crosses Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge over the River Tamar, and includes steep climbs at Whiteball Summit, Dainton Tunnel, and Rattery Bank. Passengers board at Bristol, Yatton, Taunton, or Exeter. The train reaches Plymouth, where you have over five hours to explore the Hoe, the Barbican, or the National Marine Aquarium. Alternatively, continue to Par and take a free bus to the villages of Fowey or Charlestown. The Standard Class fare includes a reserved seat; First Class and Premier Dining tiers add meals prepared on board. This trip suits heritage rail enthusiasts, photographers, and history lovers seeking a taste of steam travel without an overnight stay.

What to know before you look closer

  • This is a single departure in July 2026; check with The Railway Touring Company for other dates in the year.
  • Prices vary by class tier (Standard from GBP 149, First Class from GBP 249, Premier Dining from GBP 349); the from-price covers Standard Class only.
  • The itinerary description in the evidence pack is truncated; confirm the full route details and timings with the operator before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1rail

    The Royal Duchy

    Our train leaves Bristol Temple Meads steam hauled and stops to pick up further passengers at Yatton and Taunton. Almost immediately on departure from Taunton, our steam locomotive will be working hard as it tackles the climb to Whiteball Summit. We stop at Exeter St. David's station for our locomotive to take on water and for more passengers to join the train. We leave Exeter and follow the Exe Estuary to the seaside. We then travel along the famous sea wall between Dawlish and Teignmouth, an experience not to be missed. After Newton Abbot, our steam locomotive will demonstrate her real strength as she powers up some of the steepest main line gradients in the country: the climb to the summit at Dainton Tunnel, a dramatic drop down to Totnes, then an equally difficult climb up Rattery Bank before descending to Plymouth. Passengers have the option to alight at Plymouth or remain on the train to Par. There will be over five hours free time to explore the historic maritime city of Plymouth, including the Hoe, the ancient Barbican and seafront areas, and the National Marine Aquarium. We leave Plymouth, steam hauled, and cross the river Tamar on Brunel's masterpiece, the Royal Albert Bridge, to enter Cornwall. Our train continues through the magnificent Cornish countryside to Par, where there will be a break of more than three hours. Buses will take passengers from Par, at no extra charge, to visit either the picturesque seaside town of Fowey or the harbour village of Charlestown, a historic UNESCO World Heritage Site built in the 18th century as a Georgian working port, now known for its classic tall ships and use as a filming location for Poldark and Taboo. Our locomotive will turn and service at St Blazey's before we embark on our return journey, stopping at Plymouth to pick up those passengers who chose to alight there, then returning to Bristol via Exeter, Taunton and Yatton.

The moments this trip is built around

  • Day 1The steam locomotive climbs Whiteball Summit immediately after leaving Taunton, demonstrating the engine's power on a steep main-line gradient.
  • Day 1The train travels the Dawlish sea wall between Devon's coastal towns, running directly along the cliff-top route.
  • Day 1Crossing Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge into Cornwall, the train spans the River Tamar on a historic engineering structure.

Questions travellers ask

Is the train travel included in the price?
Yes, the price includes your seat on The Royal Duchy steam train from Bristol Temple Meads to Par (or intermediate stops).
What is included in each ticket tier?
Standard Class includes a reserved seat, usually at a table for four. First Class adds morning tea or coffee with a bacon or breakfast roll, a sweet treat, and afternoon tea or coffee with a savoury and scone. Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and a four-course dinner, freshly prepared on board and silver served at your seat.
Which trains does this trip use?
The Royal Duchy, a steam-hauled train running from Bristol Temple Meads via Exeter to Plymouth and Par.
Where can I board?
You may board at Bristol Temple Meads, Yatton, Taunton, or Exeter St. Davids.
How much free time is there?
You have over five hours in Plymouth. From Par, free bus connections are provided to Fowey or the village of Charlestown.
What is not included?
Local transport to your boarding station and any meals not listed in your ticket tier are not included.

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