Dartmoor Railway
Dartmoor Railway
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4.0
192 reviews
Excellent
120
Very good
29
Average
15
Poor
7
Terrible
21
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 The information points at crediton didn’t work, and the advice we received from GWR was wrong and out of date.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 23 November 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 28 August 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, UK159 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 25 April 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, UK334 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 29 November 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 Kingdom70 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 21 August 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
devon15 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 11 December 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 23 January 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.
Philip D
Exeter, UK6 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
Took two 9 year old boys who were in their "transitional" year but after this experience they now firmly believe again so thank you for giving us potentially one more year of magic! Like others I would recommend knowing the story beforehand as this enhances the evening and helps the children join in with the songs. Also, like others, I would say arrive an hour beforehand, (the car park does not open until then if you are not booked on the first trip of the day), as the queue for tickets does get long. Having said that we didn't have to wait too long as there were two booths open. The hot dogs were delicious but the chips slightly iffy and the merchandising shop slightly expensive but on a par with what they are like at other attractions.
There is a photo shoot opportunity with the conductor which the four of us did resulting in a lovely keepsake costing £6.50 which I thought was good value.
Down to the experience itself:
The station is what I would class as traditional and fits in with the theme perfectly and is decorated with Christmas lights and golden tickets!
The actors are fantastic and really make the evening special, the hot chocolate is to die for, (with squirty cream too if you want!) and the chocolate chip cookies very nice.
Watch out for the glitter on the table though, I have still got 'glitteritis' 24 hours later, all over my face and arms ha ha. (Glitteritis = being covered in it!)
Wearing your pj's is a must, I have to admit I was a bit dubious but was glad I did!
The journey arrives at the North Pole with dancing elves and Santa with a huge sack of toys which was great. On the way there the conductor punches the tickets with the childrens initials which they loved and watch out of the window for the "ghost" sat outside by his fire.
On the way back there are elves running through the carriages and Santa presents the children with a sleigh bell - I wanted one too but thats the trouble with growing up!
All through the journey there is song and dance you are encouraged to join in with and the characters interact with everyone brilliantly - mental note to apply for a job next year!
Arriving back at the station you are greeted by elves singing xmas songs' and as we had booked premium tickets we had a lovely, good quality mug to take home as well.
All in all a great family experience we all thoroughly enjoyed, just have to wait a couple of years until our grandchildren are of an age they will take it all in and we will be back again, thank you to all involved for a great evening.
There is a photo shoot opportunity with the conductor which the four of us did resulting in a lovely keepsake costing £6.50 which I thought was good value.
Down to the experience itself:
The station is what I would class as traditional and fits in with the theme perfectly and is decorated with Christmas lights and golden tickets!
The actors are fantastic and really make the evening special, the hot chocolate is to die for, (with squirty cream too if you want!) and the chocolate chip cookies very nice.
Watch out for the glitter on the table though, I have still got 'glitteritis' 24 hours later, all over my face and arms ha ha. (Glitteritis = being covered in it!)
Wearing your pj's is a must, I have to admit I was a bit dubious but was glad I did!
The journey arrives at the North Pole with dancing elves and Santa with a huge sack of toys which was great. On the way there the conductor punches the tickets with the childrens initials which they loved and watch out of the window for the "ghost" sat outside by his fire.
On the way back there are elves running through the carriages and Santa presents the children with a sleigh bell - I wanted one too but thats the trouble with growing up!
All through the journey there is song and dance you are encouraged to join in with and the characters interact with everyone brilliantly - mental note to apply for a job next year!
Arriving back at the station you are greeted by elves singing xmas songs' and as we had booked premium tickets we had a lovely, good quality mug to take home as well.
All in all a great family experience we all thoroughly enjoyed, just have to wait a couple of years until our grandchildren are of an age they will take it all in and we will be back again, thank you to all involved for a great evening.
Written 10 December 2016
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.
DevonLocal1
2 contributions
Dec 2014
For the price that you pay it really isn't worth the money. The conductors try to make what is a very poor product entertaining and valuable but it just isn't enough. The cold chocolate drink was horrible and the cookie wasn't much better either. Never one to come on to TA and write bad reviews but this one is necessary. Honestly can't believe they can charge the kind of prices they do and get away with it. Never going again!!!!
Written 28 December 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.
Claire Evans
1 contribution
Apr 2019 • Family
What a disappointment today was, £71 for four adults and a 2 year old child, we were led to believe that Peppa Pig would be visiting the chidren on the train with a nice gift for them, in reality, the train was absolutely filthy, we had to clean the table ourselves as it was covered in crisps and drink, the train journey was 5 minutes in length. Peppa Pig told stories to the children (no gift), my neice kept asking where he present was, we were there for 30 minutes in total, 5 minute train journey back, the gift was a paper bag of sweets which I could have purchased for £1.00! £71 for an hour on a hot and filthy train! Sweets were too old for my two year old neice (Peppa Pig egg for four years plus), when I mentioned this to the 'ticket master' he simply shrugged and said 'that is what there is'!
Written 21 April 2019
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 30 June 2019
Yes, but not a lot on an Events day.
Written 13 June 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 4 October 2017
Maybe short staffed out of season, try emailing. I would not expect problems as I have always found them very reliable.
Written 9 October 2017
are you open new years day and how much pls
Written 29 December 2016
are you open new years day pls and the costs pls
Written 29 December 2016
Hello, unsure myself sorry not much help. Try calling them on 01837 52762. Hope this helps.
Written 29 December 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 16 September 2015
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