A small heritage railway trip can be a lovely change from the beach, especially when you want a definite activity without filling a whole day. In North Devon, check the operator’s calendar before you build your plans around it.
At a glance
Yes, if your family enjoys the train itself and you treat it as one part of the day rather than a full-scale transport trip. A short ride gives younger children a clear beginning and end, while older children may get more from a special event, the station atmosphere and the engineering behind it.
There are two different railway-style outings to compare: the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway at Woody Bay, where the heritage train ride is the outing, and the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway, a historic water-powered link between the two towns. Their calendars and practical arrangements are different, so let the operator’s information, rather than a generic attraction listing, decide whether either fits your date.
For a wider choice of family outings once you have checked the railway date, see North Devon attractions. This page stays focused on the railway decision.
A different kind of rail outing
This is not a heritage train running day in the Woody Bay sense. It is a water-powered cliff railway linking Lynton and Lynmouth, so it works best as a short experience within a day exploring the two towns, rather than as the sole destination for a railway enthusiast.
The operator says tickets are bought immediately before each trip and that the railway operates continuously rather than to a timetable. Its opening dates and closing times vary through the season, so check the current fares and opening information for your exact day. Children under four travel free according to the operator; check the same page for the current child fare and payment arrangements.
For families with a pushchair or a mobility requirement, this option needs a specific check rather than an assumption. The operator says its Victorian carriages are narrow and that pushchairs must be folded; its plan-your-trip and accessibility information explains the current arrangements. That can make the cliff railway a better fit for a family already visiting Lynton and Lynmouth, while the Woody Bay railway is the stronger choice when the train ride itself is the main event.
The local option
The railway runs from Woody Bay Station near Parracombe. On standard running days, the operator describes a one-mile return journey to Killington Lane and back, around 20 minutes on the train. That makes it a sensible option for a child who is excited by a real train ride but may not manage a long seated journey.
It is most worthwhile when you can make the ride the point of the outing, linger around the station if it suits your family, then keep the rest of the day flexible. For teenagers, look at the operator’s calendar for special events rather than assuming a standard visit will hold their attention in the same way. Our ideas for North Devon with teenagers may help you balance the rest of the day.
Do not use this page as a timetable. The railway says that running days, special-event conditions and services can change, so check its current calendar and timetable immediately before travelling. It also reserves the right to alter, suspend or cancel a train, or substitute traction.
Choosing your visit
A short ride can work well when the train is the main excitement. Keep expectations simple and check the operator’s current arrangements for buggies before you leave. For more low-pressure options, see North Devon days out with toddlers.
A running day can be a good change-of-scene activity in unsettled weather, provided the calendar confirms it is operating. Have a second plan for the day rather than assuming the railway will be your only option.
Look for an event that genuinely interests them, then confirm the event’s separate ticket and booking terms. A special date can be more compelling than a standard ride, but it can also have different arrangements.
Before setting off
Make the day work
A train ride may give everyone a break from the wind or a shower, but it is not automatically an all-weather day out. Build in a nearby, low-commitment alternative and check the forecast and running information before leaving Woolacombe. For other ideas when the beach is not appealing, see rainy days in North Devon with kids.
Families staying for a week can also use a railway visit as one quieter day among beach time and larger outings. Our North Devon family holidays guide can help with that wider balance.
Sources checked
Checked 14 July 2026. Service, ticket and access information for the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway comes from its own calendar and tickets, fares and visitor information. Information for the Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway comes from its official fares and opening page and plan-your-trip page. These are date-sensitive sources; use them for the final decision on running, booking, fares and access.