Taking a Day Trip by Train
We took a Day Trip with friends to Teignmouth, Devon by train. Train travel is not always considered to be the most effective, or cheapest way to travel. However a little advance research by one of our party resulted in a reasonable deal. Prices do vary depending on time of departure, day of the week and any offers available on booking. There are also railcards, advance fares and split tickets to help you find the best deal. In our case 4 adult return tickets on a Friday cost around £20 per person.
The Day Trip started with breakfast in our home town and as you can see below it really set us up for the day. Heading then to the local railway station we eagerly awaited our train which would take us initially to Exeter. If you are looking to travel to Devon or Cornwall by train then you will often change at Exeter St Davids to head to places such as Paignton, Dawlish, Plymouth, Penzance etc. After a change of platform and a short wait we boarded our onward train.
In just over an hour we arrived at Teignmouth train station which is situated close to the centre of the town. Our Day Trip was also celebrating a birthday. So we stopped at a local pub to sample the wares and plan out the rest of the day. Well it would be rude not to!
Brief History of Teignmouth
Teignmouth has a history that is thought to stretch back to the Stone Age. It is believed that the fishing port dates back to Roman times. During Medieval Times the town really started to flourish as a port and was granted a Royal Charter to hold Markets.
Fast foward to the Victorian times and the town transformed into a fashionable seaside resort following the arrival of the railway in 1846. With it’s warm climate and soft sand it became enormously popular.
This changed with the arrival of World War II when the town played a crucial role in the defence of the United Kingdom.
Today it continues to be a vibrant and picturesque town rich in history. There are charming streets, sandy beaches and a happy relaxed atmosphere.
Our Time in the Town
There’s no doubt that we spent plenty of time `researching’ the local pubs some of which have been established for many years. But as it was such a lovely day, we also spent much time enjoying the weather. Most of the pubs, especially along the quay area have seating areas. Here we found many tourists and locals alike doing the same.
It didn’t take long for Lindsey to find some more unusual features. The Grand Pier or Teignmouth Pier dates back to 1865 and 212m long. Many of the street bollards are painted in Teignmouth Blue and are decorated with fish or the town crest.
The Templer Way ends in Teignmouth. Named after the original owner of the Haytor Quarry on Dartmoor, it marks the end of an 18-mile walk. This traces the route from the granite mines to the sea from where it was transported. Visit Devon can provide details of the route.
Local Hospitality
Whilst we didn’t stop for food at any of the local eateries, there is plenty of choice. Many of the restaurants are award winning so it is worth looking into that before visiting. If you like fish, there is plenty to choose from too. We did visit a few of the local pubs (most of whom do food as well). A selection of the photos are below. We found the staff welcoming and helpful, the buildings were largely period with sympathetic improvements.
The oldest pub in the town is Ye Olde Jolly Sailor, formerly The Ferryman. Documents show that it dates back to 1132 as an alehouse. It got the earlier name due to it’s proximity to the local Shaldon ferry that landed nearby.
And Finally …
All too soon it was time to head back to the train station ready for our journey home. We had a really good day out in Teignmouth and would have no hesitation in returning. With all that sea air, we slept well.
The train journey was comfortable, the timing was spot on and with a little advance work, was reasonably priced.
