Bideford Railway Heritage Centre
A volunteer-run railway heritage site at Bideford station on the Tarka Trail with an interpretation centre, signal box museum and occasional diesel train rides.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Bideford Railway Heritage Centre preserves part of the former Barnstaple to Bideford railway, now the Tarka Trail, on the east side of the old long bridge in East-the-Water. The line carried the Atlantic Coast Express, the through train from London Waterloo to Bideford, which began running in 1926 and ended in 1964.
The station site is run by the Bideford Railway Heritage Centre community interest company with the help of volunteers. A historic railway parcels van serves as the interpretation centre, with information panels, a model railway and a touchscreen about the railways of north Devon. A small railway museum is housed in the signal box, and a replica Atlantic Coast Express headboard is displayed; the centre owns an original headboard.
A converted railway coach is now used as the Cafe in the Coach, and a picnic area is being created. On selected days the centre runs short diesel train rides on a length of track, and a further signal box at Instow, preserved as it was when trains stopped running, opens on some days in the season. An enhanced museum space is planned if grant funding is secured.
Highlights
- Interpretation centre in a historic railway parcels van
- Model railway and touchscreen on north Devon railways
- Railway museum in the signal box
- Replica Atlantic Coast Express headboard
- Occasional diesel train rides on selected days
Permanent exhibition
- Interpretation Centre – A historic railway parcels van with information panels, a model railway and a touchscreen telling the story of the railways of north Devon.
- Operated by
- Bideford Railway Heritage Centre CIC
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Diesel train ride (selected days) | £4Per adult or child; only two passengers per ride, children must be accompanied by an adult; no advance booking |
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Entry to the Bideford and Instow sites is free; donations are welcome. Diesel train rides cost £4 per person on selected days (2026 dates: Sunday 25 October and Sunday 6 December); a family with several children pays only once for the accompanying adult.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
- Hands-on stations
The interpretation centre has a model railway and a touchscreen, and children can take short diesel train rides on selected days when accompanied by an adult.
Getting there & parking
By car
Parking available
Car parking is available a short walk from the site.
The station is on the east side of Bideford long bridge in East-the-Water, beside the B3233 and directly on the Tarka Trail. Many visitors walk or cycle the trail, and bikes can be hired at various points along it.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Cafe in the Coach offers take-away and eat-in refreshments; a picnic area is being created.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Instow Signal Box, a second site run by the centre, is preserved as it was when trains stopped running. |
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