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The Railway Touring Company · Steam rail day trip

The Royal Duchy (30 August 2026)

Steam train day trip from Bristol to Devon and Cornwall coastal stops

Illustration of The Royal Duchy (30 August 2026)

The Railway Touring Company's Royal Duchy is a one-day steam rail excursion departing Bristol Temple Meads on 30 August 2026, traveling through Devon and Cornwall to the Cornish coast. The journey features a steam locomotive working steep climbs at Whiteball Summit and other challenging grades. Passengers ride along the Dawlish sea wall, one of the railway network's most celebrated coastal stretches, and cross Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge over the River Tamar. The day includes more than five hours exploring Plymouth, with options to visit the Hoe, the Barbican, or the National Marine Aquarium. Those continuing to Par can take complimentary buses to Fowey or the UNESCO World Heritage village of Charlestown. Three dining tiers are available, from a reserved seat to freshly prepared four-course dinners served on board. This trip suits steam enthusiasts, couples seeking a special outing, and those looking for a scenic single-day rail adventure without overnight travel.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only one departure date published: 30 August 2026. Confirm availability before booking.
  • Standard Class passengers do not receive meals; only a reserved seat at a table for four. Dining is available only in First Class and above.
  • Passengers wishing to visit Fowey or Charlestown rely on the free bus connection provided from Par; no independent rail access to those villages is offered.

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 steeply to Whiteball Summit shortly after departing Taunton
  • Day 1The train travels along the Dawlish sea wall, running directly along the Devon coast
  • Day 1Crossing Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge over the River Tamar into Cornwall
  • Day 1Five hours free time in Plymouth to visit the Hoe, the Barbican, or the National Marine Aquarium

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?
Yes. The Railway Touring Company operates the full steam train excursion from Bristol Temple Meads to Par, with complimentary coach transport from Par to Fowey or Charlestown.
What meals are included?
Standard Class includes a reserved seat only. First Class includes morning tea or coffee with a bacon roll or sweet treat, and afternoon tea with a savoury and scone. Premier Dining includes a full English breakfast and four-course dinner, freshly prepared on board and silver-served.
Where can I board the train?
The train departs Bristol Temple Meads and picks up additional passengers at Yatton and Taunton before continuing through Exeter and Devon to Cornwall.
How much time do I have to explore?
Passengers have over five hours free time in Plymouth. You can then continue by train to Par and travel by coach to Fowey or the UNESCO World Heritage village of Charlestown.
What are the highlights of the route?
The train follows the Dawlish sea wall, crosses Brunel's Royal Albert Bridge into Cornwall, and climbs steep grades at Dainton Tunnel and Rattery Bank. The Exe Estuary is also featured.

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