Totnes Train Station

Totnes is a market town in the heart of South Devon, situated at the head of the estuary of the River Dart. With stunning local scenery, thanks to the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Totnes is a quintessential British town – perfect for a weekend day trip, a mini-break, or an afternoon stroll.

Totnes railway station has been serving the people of Devon since 1847 when it was opened as a part of the Exeter to Plymouth line by the South Devon Railway Company. The station continued to expand, servicing more stations on more lines over time. Totnes is set upon the estuary of the River Dart, making it an ideal location for freight services as well as passenger trains. In the past, a freight-only branch line ran directly to the quay at Totnes wharf to transport goods around the local area and more widely across the region. The bridge which carried this line is still visible, so be sure to look out for this piece of history on your visit!

When the Great Western Railway was nationalised in 1948, it became part of the Western Region of British Railways. This prompted some changes to be made to local services, wherein passenger services to Ashburton were withdrawn, and the line later closed entirely. Soon after, in the 1960s, general goods traffic was also withdrawn. In 1983, a new station building was constructed to replace the temporary buildings that had been erected following a fire in 1962.

Totnes railway station connects the Devon town to many other towns, villages, and cities in the local area and further afield nationwide. Currently, the station operates services from both Great Western Railway and CrossCountry. Popular routes on CrossCountry include Penzance to Totnes, Exeter to Totnes, Bristol to Totnes, Manchester to Totnes, and even Aberdeen to Totnes.

At Totnes train station, facilities include free public Wi-Fi, a coffee shop, toilets on both platforms, accessible toilets, baby changing facilities, waiting rooms, bicycle parking, and a car park which is open 24/7.

Things to do in Totnes

Totnes is a town packed with endless options on ways to spend your days – whether you like a relaxed weekend of cafes and museums or prefer getting out into nature and getting involved in exciting activities. However you like to spend your time, Totnes has something for you to enjoy.

Dating back to 907 AD, the town of Totnes is deeply historical and has a fascinating local heritage. Totnes is therefore home to historic buildings and monuments marking the local history, so a day spent exploring local culture and heritage in Totnes is an interesting one. The first stop on your historical tour of Totnes has to be the Norman motte and bailey castle, with views of Totnes and the River Dart. For a very different view of Totnes’ heritage, why not check out the Totnes Fashion & Textile Museum located on the high street in a Grade I listed building? This museum is home to the Devonshire Collection of Period Costumes, as well as tens of thousands of items of clothing, accessories, and fashion pieces dating back as far as 1650.

Situated in South Devon’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Totnes is also a stunningly beautiful place to spend the day exploring nature, spotting wildlife, and resetting yourself from modern life. From peaceful strolls along the River Dart, kayaking, and canoeing to riverboat excursions and wildlife trails; there are plenty of ways to get outdoors in Totnes!