Tamar Valley Train Line

A regular local train journey from Albaston Farm Barn is along the wonderful Tamar Valley Line which has to be one of the most beautiful scenic journey anywhere.  Our local train station is a 10 minute stroll from Albaston Farm Barn with long distance view over to Dartmoor along the way.  This train line goes from Plymouth to Gunnislake and back) and offers visitors the chance to see the heart of the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) from the comfort of their seats.
The ticket also acts as a Rover ticket and you can get off the train at any station, wander about, and get back on the next one. This way we have many station to station walks and can fill a day for just the price of one ticket. Special prices sometimes are offered and the best one is the "2+2" where four people can travel for the price of two.

This journey takes about 50 minutes each way and often visitors have stayed on the train to enjoy the round trip and see the views from each side of the train!

Tamar Valley Line Views From the Train Window. Apple orchard and Prospect Tower

Tamar Valley Line Views From the Train Window. River Tamar winding through the valley

Tamar Valley Line Views From the Train Window.Royal Albert Rail Bridge and Road Bridge over the River Tamar from the train

Tamar Valley Line Views From the Train Window.  Late train sunset

Tamar Valley Line , Plymouth Station. Handy for cycle trails.

Please do check offers as these can change from time to time!

Tamar Valley Holiday Area

Tamar Valley is a photographic treat!  New photographs have gone on our website.  A local Tamar Valley photographer made  these collages for us from her own collection which has been built up on local walks and trips out on the train and bus. 

By using the local train or bus, the photographer says she can hold the camera out of the window and get shots that are not possible by car or foot!

We are so spoiled for choice with living in such a beautiful part of the country that the photos had to have extra little photos next to them! 



Calstock on the Tamar Valley Line train goes over the Viaduct which straddles the Cornwall and Devon Border

Cotehele. A stroll through woods and footpaths brings you to the Tudor mansion house of the National Trusts Cotehele. 

Allow at least one full day for your visit to Cotehele, with the stunning house full of tapestry and history, gardens, orchards, gift shop, cafe, flour mill, river quay, two restaurants, local ice cream stand, cafe and acres of wooded hillsides, this place is a treat.


Dartmoor, A moorland full of contrast and drama. 

Granite Tors to climb up to, Brentor Church, Visible for miles around. Dartmoor Ponies, Highland Cattle and sheep all wander freely on the moorlands. Merrivale Stone Rows, exposed for hundreds of years, their origins still a mystery.

Bodmin Moor Cheesewrings

Bodmin Moor. Dramatic, moody, Daphne du Maurier set her brooding novels here.

Local mining heritage is so important that the area now has World Mining Heritage status.  The local hillsides and valley is dotted with mine chimneys poking through the trees and often you can come across old mine engine houses.

Tavistock

Tavistock. Local town just over the River Tamar.  Rich in Victorian heritage.  Pannier market opens Tuesday to Saturday with different themes on most days. We like the Antiques and Craft Tuesdays.

Plymouth

City of Plymouth. Great train journey from our local train station of Gunnislake just 10 mins stroll with view across to Dartmoor along the way.  The city has an incredible variety of attractions from its historic Hoe and sea waterfront, the ancient Barbican area to the new Drake's Circus shopping centre.

Tamar Valley Stroll to Cotehele

We often stroll down our beautiful wooded valley to the nearby National Trust property Cotehele Estate.

The Estate covers a large area of the Tamar Valley and both the natural woodlands, orchards, plantations and formal gardens have enough varieties of trees throughout to always be able to catch a seasonal photo.

This time of year, the colours of the trees in the sunlight is quite magical.  Early walkers get views of the gentle mists dreaming in the valley. 

Deer tracks are seen on the paths and the squirrels have fewer leaves to hide behind.  This living willow sculpture in the Cotehele orchards is worth revisiting as its look changes throughout the year.

There's always something happening at Cotehele, this time we caught a parade of the Cornwall Austin Seven Club motor vehicles, and a local crafts gift fair in a marquee in the grounds.

Cotehele House has just started the famous Christmas Garland in the Great Hall. All the flowers are grown in the estate gardens and used to create this huge 60 foot long suspended floral masterpiece. We popped in to look and the scaffolding was just being assembled for the florists to stand on.

This is the Garland from a couple of years ago, it is HUGE!