Totnes Without a Car

Short answer: Totnes is on the mainline, and it is where the river boats run down the Dart to Dartmouth and the South Devon Railway runs up the valley. It is the best car-free hub in south Devon.

The best car-free hub in south Devon

Totnes has three kinds of transport meeting in one place: mainline trains, river boats down the Dart, and a steam railway up the valley. That makes it the best base in south Devon for a day without a car.

The river to Dartmouth

Boats run down the Dart from Totnes to Dartmouth — a scenic trip through the river valley. Take the boat one way and come back another. Check the timetable, as sailings are seasonal and tide-dependent.

The South Devon Railway

Steam trains from Totnes up the Dart valley to Buckfastleigh. Totnes Rare Breeds Farm is reached through the station at the Totnes end.

On foot in town

• The High Street — steep, but full of independent shops.
• Totnes Castle at the top, with the best view over the town.
• Totnes Museum — free, in an Elizabethan building.
• Leechwell Garden — a hidden community garden with a stream.

Eating

The Steam Packet Inn on the quay, the Waterside Bistro on the Plains and Bruto Lounge are all walkable from the station.

Bus timetables in Devon thin out sharply from October and differ between summer and winter. Check the operator's current timetable before building a day around a connection, and check the last bus back before you settle in.