Steam & Sail in the English Riviera 2026

Duration

5 Days

Departure Dates

27th April 2026, 8th June 2026, 13th July 2026, 7th September 2026

Prices from

£690 Per person

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Enjoy a relaxing rail holiday along one of Britain's most iconic routes to the English Riviera with the opportunity to explore the beauty and charm of Devon's magnificent coastline by boat as well as travelling on two of Devon's finest steam railways. Stay in a picturesque seafront location with seaview rooms included plus enjoy free time in Torquay and Dartmouth to discover these vibrant and historic towns.

Overview
Itinerary
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Departure Dates
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Dawlish Seawall ©GWR

5 days from £690

DEPARTS

Monday 27 April 2026

Monday 08 June 2026

Monday 13 July 2026

Monday 07 September 2026

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Arrive in Torquay along one of Britain’s truly great coastal rail journeys
Journey on the scenic South Devon Railway to Buckfastleigh
Visit the Buckfast Butterfly Farm and Otter Sanctuary
Glorious sightseeing around Torquay
Travel on the Dartmouth Steam Railway along the beautiful English Riviera coastline
Enjoy free time to explore Dartmouth, an historic naval town
Relax on a circular cruise viewing sights from the majestic River Dart
Stay in a hotel on the stunning seafront with seaview rooms included

Also included in your Tour Fare:

4 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

DAY 1

For those travelling with us by train, we will experience one of England's most quintessential holiday welcoming moments - the Great Railway Journey along the sea wall at Dawlish - before climbing high into the rural pasturelands of the Devon hills then descending back to the coast to arrive on the English Riviera at Torquay. On arrival, we will make our way to the Livermead House Hotel, our hotel for the next four nights. We enjoy free time to explore our new surroundings before meeting for our first evening meal together.

DAY 2

After breakfast this morning, we travel to Totnes where we join the oldest preserved steam railway in the south-west, the South Devon Railway, and follow a scenic seven-mile rail journey connecting the beautifully maintained stations at Totnes and Buckfastleigh. We enjoy time at Buckfastleigh where we visit the Butterfly Farm and Otter Sanctuary or, alternatively, we can venture a little further and visit nearby Buckfast Abbey and Gardens before returning to Torquay in time for our evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 3

Today is free to relax in Torquay or explore the stunning English Riviera. You may decide to take the short ferry ride across the bay to the small fishing town of Brixham, home of the 'Golden Hind' replica of the iconic Tudor ship, or perhaps visit the neighbouring town of Babbacombe, famed for the 1926 cliff railway and model village. We will reconvene at the hotel for our evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 4

This morning, we make our way to Paignton for a fantastic steam journey on the Dartmouth Steam Railway travelling alongside the English Riviera coastline to Churston, then on through the wooded slopes of Long Wood bordering the Dart Estuary to Kingswear. We take a short ferry crossing to the historic resort of Dartmouth where there is free time for some sightseeing and a gentle circular river cruise viewing Bayards Cove, Kingswear and Dartmouth Castles, Britannia Royal Naval College, Dittisham Village, and Sir Walter Raleigh's Boathouse. We return by steam train to Paignton before continuing to our hotel for our final evening meal together.

B, D

DAY 5

After breakfast, we bid farewell to Torquay and make our way to the station for our homeward journeys.

*Important Note: Whilst the arrangements for all described steam train travel are in place, we do reserve the right to make substitutions should it be deemed necessary for whatever reason.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner

HOTEL

The Livermead House Hotel, Torquay

Ideally located close to the railway station and with a picturesque seafront location, the Livermead House Hotel offers outstanding sea views, high standards of cuisine, charming gardens, and fantastic leisure facilities including an outdoor swimming pool, sauna, snooker room, and gym. The elegant bedrooms provide an en-suite bathroom with complimentary toiletries, a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee making facilities.

FARES

Fare Region	First*	Standard
London: Paddington	£965	£869
Greater London	£975	£875
South of England	£1,009	£899
East Anglia	£1,019	£899
South West	£795	£749
Heart of England	£985	£885
Midlands	£1,059	£889
Yorkshire	£1,179	£955
North East	£1,279	£1,005
North West	£1,125	£915
South Wales	£1,119	£855
North Wales	£1,149	£939
Scotland	£1,359	£1,069
Join & Leave at Hotel	£695
Single Traveller Supplement	£NIL
Deposit	£75

*Please Note: Some local and regional train services are Standard Class seating only and First Class ticket holders will travel in standard class accommodation for these sections of their journey.

£5 tour discount for holders of National Railcards

June Departure Supplement £20

July Departure Supplement £40

September Departure Supplement £50

4 nights’ bed, breakfast & evening meal

Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)

Rail & coach travel, with transfers as described

All excursions & admissions as detailed

Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager

Important – Please select the number of passengers before proceeding to ‘Book Now’

Number of passengers:

Date	From Price	Book Now	Callback
27th April 2026	£690 Per person	Book Now	Callback
8th June 2026	£710 Per person	Book Now	Callback
13th July 2026	£730 Per person	Book Now	Callback
7th September 2026	£740 Per person	Book Now	Callback

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Livermead House Hotel, Torquay

South Devon Railway

Butterfly Farm & Otter Sanctuary

Visit Torquay

Dartmouth Steam Railway

Torquay Harbour ©iStock

Totnes, Devon ©Shutterstock

South Devon Railway ©Shutterstock

Buckfastleigh Abbey ©Shutterstock

Brixham Fishing Village ©Shutterstock

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Steam & Sail in the English Riviera 2026

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What our customers say

Sounds like the holiday for you?

Why Book with Railtrail

Unique Experiences

Financial Protection

Loyalty Rewards

Award Winning Team