This week railway enthusiast and regular Hawkinge Gazette contributor, Dana Wiffen visits the West Country on a short Devon break.

On Friday we travelled from Waterloo to Exeter St. David's by SouthWest Trains and stayed in a new hotel opposite the station.

From Exeter it's easy to travel on to a wide variety of destinations in Devon and Cornwall but after arriving around 3pm we decided to chill for that day as it was early starts on Saturday and Sunday.

On Saturday we travelled to Paignton and visited both the Heritage Dart Valley Railway and Greenways, the holiday home of Agatha Christie. The house had been recently restored by National Trust contains many family collections.

We caught the fast (Cross Country) train to Paignton and walked round to The Dart Valley station which is right next to the main line.

Goliath at Paignton Station  Photo: Dana Wiffen

We wanted to catch the first steam train, named Goliath, towards Kingswear, we had decided to leave the train at Churston Station (you can also walk to Brixham from here) and walk to Greenways.

As we crossed the railway line we caught glimpses of the stunning River Dart estuary views, we were informed that it was about a mile and a half walk, it was more like two and a half but for the most a pleasant walk although some sections near the end of the walk are both steep and treacherous.

The observation coach   Photo: Dana Wiffen

We eventually arrived at Greenways and had time for a quick coffee before our house tour, the views from the house over the estuary are wonderful. Afterwards we wandered into the woodland gardens and followed them as they drifted down the hillside towards the river. Almost every angle has a wonderful view and you can fully understand why Agatha Christie was inspired to write from her holiday home.

Our plan next was to catch a boat from Greenways back to Dartmouth and then travel back by steam train to Paignton.

As the small ferry boat heads towards Dartmouth, you see once again the splendour of Greenways, with its boat house clearly visible, then there is a glimpse of Brunel's Maypole Viaduct that the steam train passes over.

A vintage bus at Greenways   Photo: Dana Wiffen

Further down the river you pass Britannia Royal Naval College, once attended by Prince Charles and confirmed by a naval frigate docked nearby.

As you approach Dartmouth to can see what is probably the only station in the UK not to ever have received a train, built by Brunel in anticipation of a bridge being built to link Kingswear to Dartmouth by rail, this in the end was not built due to lack of funds, the station building is now a popular restaurant.

Time then to catch another ferry over to Kingswear before travelling back to Paignton on the superb Dart Valley railway which also gifts you more stunning views as it climbs from Kingswear on its way back to Paignton.

Travelling in the observation carriage this time we enjoyed even better views.

To be continued...

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