Calstock Transportation

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Calstock is on the spectacularly scenic Tamar Valley branch line between Plymouth and Gunnislake and the high-arched viaduct which carries the track across the river here is one of the route's definite highlights.

The view of the village, and the river, from the train is equally impressive from either side and the viaduct itself, as seen from below, with its simple elegance is a marvel of early 1900's engineering and almost makes the village worth a visit in its own right.

The Tamar Valley Line is operated by the First Great Western company and trains run roughly every two hours Monday to Saturday (slightly less frequently on Sundays). From Plymouth to Calstock the journey takes about thirty minutes as the track winds through the Bere Peninsula, first crossing the River Tavy as it heads towards Bere Ferrers then onwards to rejoin the River Tamar after leaving Bere Alston. After Calstock the train continues through the rolling hills of the valley for another four miles to its terminus at Gunnnislake from which it then reverses its journey.

At the time of writing an off-peak day return is under a fiver (£3.15 with my local railcard) and the ticket allows you to stop off wherever you fancy enroute and as a bonus groups of up to four can get a groupsave ticket for the price of two day returns.