England · Mid Devon and the northern edge of Dartmoor
Exeter St Davids → Okehampton
A restored railway from Exeter to Dartmoor's northern gateway
Rosser1954 · Public domain · Photograph source
Some links earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Before boarding
A normal scheduled Great Western Railway service from Exeter to Okehampton, restored for regular passenger use in 2021. Beyond Crediton, the line crosses quiet Mid Devon countryside before reaching Okehampton Interchange and the historic station on the northern edge of Dartmoor National Park.
Pick your window
The northern edge of Dartmoor lies to the left on the westbound approach to Okehampton, south of the railway.3
The northern edge of Dartmoor lies to the left on the westbound approach to Okehampton, south of the railway. Trees and cuttings interrupt the outlook; the train ends at the historic station and does not cross Meldon Viaduct.11
Sit on the right (facing forwards) for the northern Dartmoor edge, south of the railway leaving Okehampton towards Exeter; trees interrupt views.11
Why ride it
The Dartmoor Line leaves Exeter St Davids and shares the rural approach to Crediton with Barnstaple trains. Beyond Crediton, the Okehampton route turns west through mid-Devon countryside. Fields, woodland and settlements form most of the view before the ground rises towards Dartmoor. This is a gateway railway to the northern edge of the moor, not a train crossing the open high plateau or reaching a summit.
There are now two Okehampton stations. Okehampton Interchange, on the east side of the town, opened in 2026 and complements the existing station. Historic Okehampton remains the terminus. Choose the destination by the onward journey: an interchange connection and a visit to the historic station are different plans. The official route map also distinguishes the running passenger railway from stations that have not reopened under the current scheme.
The northern edge of Dartmoor lies south of the approaching railway, on the left heading towards Okehampton. Fields and trees can interrupt the outlook, so this is a preference for the moor's position, not a guaranteed uninterrupted panorama. At the historic terminus, the Granite Way continues as a walking and cycling route towards Lydford. Meldon Viaduct belongs to that onward trail; the scheduled passenger train described here ends at Okehampton before reaching it.
Choose one main stop for a day out. Distances are one way from the station unless a circuit is stated; walking times are our estimates except where the attraction publishes one. Allow-time suggestions include time to look around.
Stop 1
Break the journey for a country circuit and the community tea rooms at the station.
From the station: 3.3-mile station circuit (around 1½–2 hours’ walking)15
How we measureCheck the next train back before leaving the station
Request stop: No — use a service shown as calling here.18
Crediton, Hookway and River Yeo circuit — The published station loop crosses the golf course and climbs lanes above the Yeo before returning to the tea rooms.
Use the exit on the Barnstaple-bound side, turn left beside the line towards Exeter and follow the public footpath through the golf course to Kersford Bridge. The 3.3-mile loop continues by Hookway Down Wood and Rudge Farm, returning over Fordton Bridge. There are hills, gates and a green lane that can be muddy.
Access: Crediton station is category B1: step-free access is available but may use ramps or streets between platforms. The country circuit is not a step-free town pavement route, and the public footpath crosses a working golf course. Follow the walk’s marked path and keep clear of play.
Crediton Station Tea Rooms — The Turning Tides Project operates the tea rooms in the station building.
Allow time: Allow 2½–3 hours for the loop and tea rooms before continuing towards Dartmoor.
Some links earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Stop 2
Use the original town station for a Dartmoor hill walk and the Bulleid Buffet.
From the station: 2.3-mile station circuit (1–2 hours’ walking)13
How we measureCheck the next train back before leaving the station
Request stop: No — use a service shown as calling here.6
East Hill via Tramlines Woods and Fatherford Viaduct — The short moorland circuit climbs from the station to views over Devon and the higher Dartmoor tors.
From the original Okehampton station entrance, use the green gate and steps to the bridleway, or the signed slope alternative described in the walk leaflet. Turn into Tramlines Woods, pass under Fatherford Viaduct and follow the steep path towards East Hill. The published 2.3-mile circuit returns to this station. This is not Okehampton Interchange, the separate station farther east.
Access: Okehampton station is category B2, with some step-free platform access. East Hill is a hill walk with gates, steep grass and slippery ground after rain; avoiding the initial steps does not make the circuit step-free. The station is uphill from the town centre, so the town return also includes a climb.
Bulleid Buffet — The independent station café offers a refreshment stop beside the heritage station buildings.
Allow time: Allow 2½–3 hours for East Hill and the buffet; use the separate community-rail castle walk if choosing the town and castle instead.
Some links earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Community photographs
A concise visual edit for a short journey; four more photographs are available below.
Eight route photographs link to their original Wikimedia Commons pages for the creator, licence and reuse terms.
Join the Dartmoor Line at Exeter St Davids, connecting from main-line trains, or board in the city at Exeter Central. The route runs through Crediton to the original Okehampton station; Okehampton Interchange is a separate station farther east.11019
Use the Dartmoor Line’s onward-travel information for bus links from Okehampton into the surrounding towns and moor. The original station sits above the town centre, so a town bus connection can include the sloping station approach.120
Use the operator’s station information for parking at the original Okehampton station; check the separate Interchange page if choosing that car park. The East Hill and castle walking directions in this guide start at the original station.610
Take the Dartmoor Line back through Crediton to Exeter. Start the return at the original Okehampton station after the East Hill loop, keeping the distinction from Okehampton Interchange clear when arranging a lift.113
For a practical day trip, continue to the historic Okehampton station, visit the station facilities and choose a short signed walk or the town for a short visit. Check daylight, weather and your return train before setting out. An overnight in Okehampton gives more time for the Granite Way or a carefully planned Dartmoor walk; treat any bus, taxi or cycling connection as a separate journey and verify it in advance.1
Exeter St Davids is currently listed by National Rail as step-free category A. Historic Okehampton is category B2, with some step-free access to all platforms, no lifts and no staff assistance; Passenger Assist meeting points and a helpline are available. The new Okehampton Interchange is category A. Check which Okehampton station best fits the onward plan, confirm current facilities, and arrange GWR Passenger Assist or a boarding ramp when useful.5
Use the published Dartmoor Line services when choosing the travel season for this scheduled railway outing. Late spring and summer provide the most daylight for walks; autumn brings colour to the wooded sections. Dartmoor weather can change quickly, and winter means shorter daylight and potentially difficult paths, so check the railway, local weather and walking conditions close to travel.1
Use the GWR journey planner for the precise Okehampton station required. The new Interchange and historic terminus are not interchangeable names in a booking or assistance request. Check the fare's stop-off conditions before visiting Crediton. The train ticket does not include cycle hire, a museum, castle admission or local buses. For a bicycle carried aboard, confirm GWR's current rules and space arrangements. Buy the journey after identifying the return departure from the correct station; a main-line connection at Exeter St Davids also needs transfer time between platforms.4
The left towards Okehampton faces the northern Dartmoor edge on the final approach. Woods and cuttings make broad landscape photographs more reliable than trying to catch a particular distant tor. The historic station provides architectural subjects after arrival. Meldon Viaduct requires a separate Granite Way outing; it cannot be photographed as a crossing from this passenger train. For moorland photographs, use a planned route from the station with enough time to walk back before the return departure.311
The Exeter–Okehampton journey takes about forty minutes. Carry a drink and suitable footwear if leaving the railway for the town or trail. Decide the destination station before boarding and keep the assistance booking consistent with it. The historic terminus remains open alongside the Interchange, so a new station does not remove the older one from the itinerary. Exeter St Davids offers main-line connections, but the Devon branch journey and an onward long-distance service may have different reservation and bicycle arrangements.3
The Exeter–historic Okehampton ride takes about forty minutes. Check the current timetable for the chosen departure and the Interchange stop. A trail walk or town visit is additional time beyond the railway journey.3
The northern edge of Dartmoor lies to the left on the westbound approach to Okehampton, south of the railway. Trees and cuttings interrupt the outlook; the train ends at the historic station and does not cross Meldon Viaduct.11
Yes. Historic Okehampton gives access to the town and Simmons Park, while a short Granite Way outing adds former railway scenery. A long moorland hike needs its own route, weather and return-time plan.9
The historic terminus has National Rail category B2 access; Okehampton Interchange is category A. Check the exact station, onward gradients and GWR assistance arrangements. These categories do not establish access across Dartmoor walking routes.610
Join the Dartmoor Line at Exeter St Davids, connecting from main-line trains, or board in the city at Exeter Central. The route runs through Crediton to the original Okehampton station; Okehampton Interchange is a separate station farther east.11019
Read the route
Chosen for this line, its train type or the wider pleasure of slow rail travel.
by Tom Chesshyre
A contemporary, slow-travel circuit of Britain for readers who enjoy the journey as much as the destination.
View physical book (opens in a new tab)by Sherin Aminossehe
An illustrated history told through fourteen journeys—a useful companion for the wider collection.
View physical book (opens in a new tab)Further reading
Official planning
Book with the railway, or use National Rail to put your journey together.
Some links earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Find places to stay in Okehampton on Booking.com (opens in a new tab) Open The Dartmoor Line - official guide (opens in a new tab) Book your tickets (opens in a new tab)Continue exploring
