Transport
Public Transport
A number of Public Transport Guides, containing details of bus and train services in North Devon are available free of charge from Tourist Information Centres or from Traveline. Contact Traveline on 0870 6082608 or visit their website.
Rail
The railways of Devon and Cornwall offer some of the most scenic journeys in Britain, if not Europe. From stunning coastal views to rolling green countryside, heavily wooded valleys to fine river crossings and the most lunar landscape of the Cornish china clay industry, train travel in Devon and Cornwall offers a very different view of the two counties.
|
National
Rail |
The Tarka Line runs for 39 miles between Exeter and Barnstaple, following the gentle river valleys of the Yeo and Taw. From Eggesford to Barnstaple the line forms part of the Tarka Trail, a 180 mile long route tracing the journeys of 'Tarka the Otter' in Henry Williamson's classic novel. Opened in 1851, scenery along the line has changed little over the years, remaining predominantly rural. Livestock and dairy farming are typical, and you may spot herons, buzzards or deer. The
Tarka Line provides a local train service and fast connections to
the main line at Exeter. It offers a wide range of things to do
for all ages - take a gentle stroll around Exeter, Barnstaple or
Crediton, or a long distance walk along the Tarka Trail, Two Moors
Way and Exe Valley Way. Cycle hire is available at Barnstaple, Crediton
and Exeter. Routes are safe and traffic free - ideal for families. For further information, visit the official Tarka Line website for train times, information about walks starting from Tarka Line railway stations and Tarka Line bus service. View Railtrack website for national rail enquiries.
|
|
Other scenic rail routes in the West Country include the Looe Valley Line, St Ives Bay Line, Tamar Valley Line and the journeys from Exeter - Newton Abbot, Truro - Falmouth, Plymouth - Penzance, Exeter - Exmouth and Par - Newquay. There are three main steam railways in Devon and Cornwall - Paignton & Dartmouth, South Devon and Bodmin & Wenford. The North Devon Rail Users Group promotes and improves services on the Exeter to Barnstaple line. For further information contact David Smith, Membership Secretary - NDRUG, 14 East Street, Crediton, Devon EX17 3AT. Visit the website for the current timetable and real time train information. |
 |
Rail
Ale Trail
Sit back and relax,
and let the Tarka Line train route take you on a scenic tour of real ales
in the Westcountry. The Rail
Ale Trail provides you with the ideal opportunity to experience the
beauty of the Devonshire countryside whilst being able to savour the delights
of traditional real ales and fine rural pubs along the way. The route
encounters 17 real ale pubs, including The Check Inn and The Rolle Quay
Inn in Barnstaple and others in Umberleigh, Eggesford, Lapford, Crediton
and Exeter. For further information contact the Devon
& Cornwall Rail Partnership on 01752 233094.
Road
| Bus
& coach services Local buses connect Barnstaple (Tarka Line railway station) to the North Devon Coast. Through rail/bus tickets are available from rail stations and on Tarka Line trains. For bus times contact First Red Bus on 01271 345444 or ring Traveline on 0870 608 2608. For national coach services to Devon, ring National Express on 08705 80 80 80. The Sunday Rover Network explores towns and villages throughout Devon. It passes through Hartland, just 2.5miles from Elmscott, and goes north to Clovelly, Bideford or Barnstaple, or south to Cornwall for Bude, Boscastle or Tintagel. Travelling inland, the bus takes you to Crediton, Okehampton and the Dartmoor National Park. For further information contact DevonBus on 01392 382800. |
|
Cars
& Scooters
Cars
are available from Abbeyford
Car Hire in Exeter. Liberté in Bude hire powered bikes and
scooters to the over 16s. Ring Liberté on 01288 356426 for details.
Sea
The boat MS Oldenburg takes people between Bideford and Lundy Island. For information contact MS Oldenburg, The Quay, Bideford or telephone 01271 863636, fax 01271 879416 or email info@lundyisland.co.uk.
Air
Lomas Helicopters run trips to Lundy Island from Abbotsham, near Bideford. For details telephone 01237 421054 / 424060 or email lomashelos@aol.com. If you are flying into the UK to Gatwick or Heathrow airports, Hartland can be reached by train and bus in about 5 hours. Elmscott is approximately three miles from Hartland.
 |
|
|
Page last updated: 19 August 2004