• Home
  • News
  • World
  • Politics
  • Money
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • More
    • Tech
    • Web Stories
    • Spotlight
    • Press Release
What's On

British Airways flight declares ’emergency’ as it’s forced to divert

27 July 2025

‘I found the best lookalike for Fendi’s £340 knot bracelet and it’s only £55’

27 July 2025

‘I tried six lipsticks under £20 to prove make-up doesn’t have to cost a fortune’

27 July 2025

Prince Harry to share diary as he tries to “deconflict” with the Royal Family

27 July 2025

Cruise ship abandoned on a seasick-inducing tilt is eerily frozen in time

27 July 2025

Furious Bob Geldof shouts ‘shut up’ on Sky News in desperate plea for Gaza babies

27 July 2025

Holiday from hell as woman pinned to bed covered in vomit after falling ill

27 July 2025
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
Trending
  • British Airways flight declares ’emergency’ as it’s forced to divert
  • ‘I found the best lookalike for Fendi’s £340 knot bracelet and it’s only £55’
  • ‘I tried six lipsticks under £20 to prove make-up doesn’t have to cost a fortune’
  • Prince Harry to share diary as he tries to “deconflict” with the Royal Family
  • Cruise ship abandoned on a seasick-inducing tilt is eerily frozen in time
  • Furious Bob Geldof shouts ‘shut up’ on Sky News in desperate plea for Gaza babies
  • Holiday from hell as woman pinned to bed covered in vomit after falling ill
  • Martin Lewis ‘terrible thing to do’ alert to anyone with savings
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube
England TimesEngland Times
Demo
  • Home
  • News
  • World
  • Politics
  • Money
  • Lifestyle
  • Entertainment
  • Health
  • Sports
  • Travel
  • More
    • Tech
    • Web Stories
    • Spotlight
    • Press Release
England TimesEngland Times
Home » Incredible 27-mile train journey filled with beach views named UK’s most scenic
Travel

Incredible 27-mile train journey filled with beach views named UK’s most scenic

By staff27 July 2025No Comments4 Mins Read

Filled with scenic vistas of lush countryside, sugar-like beaches and crystal-clear waters, this short but impressive train journey has been crowned one of the country’s best

Dawlish Warren, UK. 3 May 2024. GWR train goes towards Dawlish in Devon
This 53-minute train journey will put your morning commute to shame(Image: Getty Images)

Idle along one of England’s most picturesque stretches of coastline on this stunning train journey that costs less than a tenner. The UK’s railways aren’t perhaps the first thing that springs to mind when you think of sugar-like beaches and crystal-clear waters. Plagued by constant delays, last-minute cancellations and insufferably busy carriages, many Brits only hop on board a train if they have no other choice.

However, if you look hard enough, you’ll find a slew of enchanting routes that snake through lush countryside before rolling past miles of soft golden sands and beach huts. The Riviera Line from Exeter to Paignton is no exception, and urgently needs to be added to your bucket list.

READ MORE: UK’s poshest train with seaside views and £11k cabins suffers major blow

View to Corbyn Head in Torquay with Torre Abbey Meadows
This breathtaking route has unsurprisingly been named the best in the UK(Image: Getty Images)

Featuring 12 stops altogether, the train departs from Exeter St Davids, making its way down to the River Exe before hugging the coastline until you reach Teignmouth (this is the most scenic section of the line, so make sure you reserve a good window seat). From here, you’ll head back inland to Newton Abbot, edging close to Dartmoor National Park before heading back to shore for the final three stops in Torre, Torquay and Paignton.

Touted as the ‘family hub of the English Riviera’, exploring Paignton or staying overnight is well worth the effort. You’ll have a long stretch of pristine beach right on your doorstep, along with a promenade, traditional pier, colourful beach huts and even palm trees. Here, you’ll also find rows of arcades, thrilling rides, mini-golf courses and the acclaimed Paignton Zoo.

As previously reported, Paignton is about to become even more attractive following the council’s approval of a huge £14 million regeneration scheme. Described as a ‘once-in-a-generation opportunity’, the proposal, which has secured the backing of the Torbay Council planning committee, aims to revamp two of the town’s seafront areas as part of a broader sea defence initiative.

Apart from giving Paignton’s promenade a facelift with new seating terraces, the existing shelters, kiosks and cafes will find new homes along the sea line. The makeover includes a fresh entrance at South Green, opening up vehicle access to the seafront – though cars won’t be allowed onto the promenade itself.

“Like the rest of the English Riviera, Paignton benefits from a mild climate and sub-tropical palm trees, giving that real continental, holiday feel, and when we are blessed with good weather, you could be anywhere in the world,” hails The English Riviera tourist board. “But, like all our coastal towns, they showcase their own beauty in the winter months too, so whatever time of year you choose to visit, you are sure to have an enjoyable stay.”

Incredible 27-mile train journey filled with beach views named UK’s most scenic
This stunning train journey features 27 miles of scenic vistas(Image: https://greatscenicrailways.co.uk/)

With all of this in mind, it’s no surprise the Riviera Line was crowned the most scenic train journey in the country by National Geographic. Outranking prestigious tracks including the Cambrian Coast Highway and the iconic Western Scenic Wonders – the 27-mile journey was hailed for showcasing the ‘best views the English Riviera has to offer’.

“South Devon’s Riviera Line connects Exeter with Paignton, threading its way past towering cliffs, numerous estuaries (look out for egrets, one of the UK’s rarest birds), quaint market towns and Powderham Castle, with its deer-filled grounds,” the publication wrote. “Disembark in Newton Abbot to visit Newton’s Place, a 19th-century church housing a small museum that explores how railways transformed this part of Devon in the 1800s.”

Dawlish station with a west bound HST at the platform. (Photo by Rail Photo/Construction Photography/Avalon/Getty Images)
You can disembark at any of the coastal towns if you’re desperate to dip your toes in the sea(Image: Getty Images)

The Exeter to Paignton service, which takes around 53 minutes, departs multiple times a day. If you’re flexible with dates, you can grab single adult fare for as little as £8.40. There is a shorter version of this train which doesn’t stop at St Thomas, Starcross, or Dawlish Warren – cutting around 13 minutes from the journey, but still offering some pretty fantastic sea views.

*Prices based on Trainline listings at the time of writing.

Do you have a story to share? Email us at [email protected] for a chance to be featured.

Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email

Related News

British Airways flight declares ’emergency’ as it’s forced to divert

27 July 2025

I visited the UK’s ‘prettiest’ seaside town and won’t be going back for one reason

27 July 2025

I visited one of UK’s prettiest villages that tourists often skip for Cornwall or the Cotswolds

27 July 2025

‘Rundown’ UK seaside town dealt major blow as iconic attraction goes up for sale

27 July 2025

Expert names vital holiday items Brits always pack wrong when going abroad

27 July 2025

Pilot’s wife says there’s one thing tourists wear that airport security absolutely hates

27 July 2025
Latest News

‘I found the best lookalike for Fendi’s £340 knot bracelet and it’s only £55’

27 July 2025

‘I tried six lipsticks under £20 to prove make-up doesn’t have to cost a fortune’

27 July 2025

Prince Harry to share diary as he tries to “deconflict” with the Royal Family

27 July 2025

Cruise ship abandoned on a seasick-inducing tilt is eerily frozen in time

27 July 2025
Stay In Touch
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Vimeo
Don't Miss
Politics

Furious Bob Geldof shouts ‘shut up’ on Sky News in desperate plea for Gaza babies

By staff27 July 20250

WARNING – DISTRESSING IMAGES: Band Aid organiser Sir Bob Geldof accused the Israeli government of…

Holiday from hell as woman pinned to bed covered in vomit after falling ill

27 July 2025

Martin Lewis ‘terrible thing to do’ alert to anyone with savings

27 July 2025

Lewis Hamilton suffers further blow as Belgian GP grid changes hours before F1 race

27 July 2025
England Times
Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram Pinterest
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of use
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
© 2025 England Times. All Rights Reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

Go to mobile version