Vale of Rheidol Railway image

Vale of Rheidol Railway

Tourist attraction Historical landmark Tour operator Rail museum Railway services Railroad company

One of the Most Revieweds in Penparcau


Address

Park Ave, Aberystwyth SY23 1PG, United Kingdom

Website

www.rheidolrailway.co.uk

Contact

+44 1970 625819

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (1.8K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: (Christmas Eve), Closed, Holiday hours
  • Monday: (Christmas Day), Closed, Holiday hours
  • Tuesday: (Boxing Day), Closed, Holiday hours
  • Wednesday: Closed
  • Thursday: Closed
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: Closed

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: Bridge (24) train (22) Devils (19) time (13) hour (13) journey (12) experience (11) trip (11) open (10) steam (9)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Bhushan V. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing experience through the heritage railway journey. This is one of the must have on the list to experience when you are in this area. If train is less crowded then you get option to extend the time to hike and trail in the Devil's Bridge area. There are two trails which can be taken, one for train passengers who can take 16 mins of trail. Other is 45 min trail which is difficult to do in 1 hour time given to tourists/passengers. As train was less crowded we were given option to return back through other train (the last service). So talk to the ticket agent at counter. They will help and guide accordingly.
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lola B. 1 year ago on Google
    Great day out, highly recommend, staff knowledgeable, polite, friendly, the station and train were clean, including the toilets. We had a great experience and so pleased we did this trip today. Great fun for all ages!
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Colin B. 1 year ago on Google
    If you like historic recreation and preservation, this is an absolute must! From start to finish, an entirely wonderful and enjoyable family experience. Authentic guards dress adds to the day, as does the platform decor and even the lavatories have a 'days gone by' look. Carriages are well preserved and authentic, as proven by the fun, jostling ride they provide. Every member of the staff are enthusiastic and helpful, in every way, making the journey as enjoyable as possible. There are stops along the way, if you want to get off and walk parts of the journey, but the best way is to go all the way to Devils Bridge, where the trip terminates and you can get a good look at the engines. Also at Devils Bridge, is another terrific little railway gift shop, with some smashing stuff for all ages including books, dad's, posters and railway liveried gifts. Another reason to get to Devils Bridge, is the opportunity to see the Red Kite Centre and the lovely Two Hoots cafe, where you can get some super, homemade cakes etc along with hot and cold drinks.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Dominic 1 year ago on Google
    Absolutely astonishing. Me and my partner concluded our trip to west wales with this rail journey in a beautifully restored steam engine and we were in awe of the beautiful scenery we passed through at a leisurely anachronistic pace. This is fun for the entire family undiminished by the weather and which will ignite passions within.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Paul M. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely trip on a steam train to Devils Bridge. Depending on times you can have a few hours at Devils Bridge to visit the falls etc. Or if you don't fancy driving to Aberystwyth go from Devils Bridge, again check times. The train has a 1st class carriage and open and closed carriages. The journey takes about an hour and you meander along a line take has some excellent scenery. I went with my 9yr and 11yr old they both enjoyed it as I did. There is a nice coffee shop/cafe in Devils Bridge where you can chill before your journey back. You can also get to drive a steam train but I don't have much information on that. But a nice day or half day out depending on what you want to do.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Swansea C. 9 months ago on Google
    A delightful way to spend a sunny morning/afternoon/day 😎 The staff are friendly, informative and helpful. The gift shops are so clean and tidy. The engines and carriages are beautifully restored and fantastic, especially the 1st class carriage...something for next time perhaps 🤔 And as if that wasn't enough, the scenery is breathtaking 😍 If you're visiting the Aberystwyth area, it's a 'must-do' Finally, something I rarely, if ever, mention, the toilets were spotlessly clean and fresh. The whole experience, from start to finish was an absolute joy 😊
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 L H. 6 months ago on Google
    Lovely attraction. Trains very characterful and clean. The journey to Devils Falls is very relaxing with beautiful scenery. The toilets at Aberystwyth are the cleanest I've ever seen!!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Gary F. 10 months ago on Google
    What a fantastic experience. From the gorgeous station building, and the superb rolling stock and steam locomotives, to the friendly staff- it was outstanding. Then we set off! The views as we climbed up the valley through the trees were nothing short of spectacular. Refreshments at Devil's Bridge before heading back down. There's not really enough time to do the walk round the falls, so we made a separate trip to cover that. A great day out.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anthony B. 7 months ago on Google
    Lovely heritage railway with some really spectacular views. Both major stations have free car parking and toilet facilities. There are gift shops at both stations. There is a cafe at the Devils Bridge end which offers a selection of sandwiches and light meals and also a varied choice of drinks. This is a reasonably priced day and any money made goes to the railway to cover running costs.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Clive J. 7 months ago on Google
    Just amazing. Just the smell of smoke, steam and oil. Open carriages and enclosed. Takes about an hour with short stops and other passing locomotives. Travel through a completely unspoilt range of tree lined mountains, following the Rheidol Valley next to rivers and reservoirs. Stop at Devils Bridge for about an hour which is plenty of time for the short walk below the 3 amazing bridges. A snack at one of the numerous places available and back to the train for the downhill trip back.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Leon B. 7 months ago on Google
    Excellent souvenirs and a pleasantly period setting at the station. Train ride was an hour long and the carriages were both enclosed and open. I used both on the trip and would say to be aware that you do get covered with soot in the open carriages and it can get in your eyes. It's all part of the experience. Dog friendly. Only enough time at Devil's Bridge to walk the Punch Bowl route but we had plenty of time to do it AND get a nice coffee and sandwich at the cafe which had some pleasant souvenirs also.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Helen G. 1 year ago on Google
    Staff are very welcoming. the trains and station are kept spotless. Very impressed. I went with a group who had our own train and entertainment as well as a superb buffet lunch was provided for us a Devils bridge Station
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Russel W. 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing ride on this small gauge train. We got on at Devils Bridge to Aberystwyth, took about an hour each way and the views were amazing. There's a coffee shop and toilets amongst other bits. Great family day.

  • 5/5 Ian B. 1 year ago on Google
    Really great day out. Staff amazing! Had two disabled members in our party and they could not have been more helpful. My son loved driving the little engine at Devils Bridge. Real highlight of the day for him.

  • 5/5 Tracey A. 9 months ago on Google
    Wow!! What an experience! Loved every minute of it. Friendly staff, spectacular views, a ride on a steam train and then the main attraction at Devils Bridge which was exhausting but the kids were still full of energy. Would highly recommend if you can manage just under 800 steep steps but if not then I think the the other attraction, the three bridges is an easier trek. (I was too exhausted to even think about it).

  • 5/5 Vaidas P. 11 months ago on Google
    A must do sight seeing trip especially for railway enthusiasts! Gorgeous views open up along the valley! The train starts in Aberystwyth at barely above sea level and then climbs around 200meters in its 12mile/20km journey along the valley that takes about an hour. Gets you to Devil's Bridge where you can explore the famous 3 bridges and waterfalls on a hike. P.S. on a warm day it's much nicer to ride in an open carriage and enjoy the surrounding nature and chugging of the train for full experience. But beware that you're bound to get covered with some tiny bits of coal as they are spewed out of the steam engine during its operation. It will get in your hair too without a hat. If that's a concern to you at all, you might want to consider choosing a closed carriage instead. We chose an open one on a warm spring day and didn't regret it one bit!

  • 5/5 Swati G. 9 months ago on Google
    Totally ecstatic and thrilling experience. I would suggest this as a must have itinerary to experience the natural beauty. We took the open coaches so beware of small coal particles flying and sitting all over you and protect your eyes.

  • 5/5 Phillip G. 7 months ago on Google
    Great train ride. Sat in open carriage, directly behind engine. Occasional soot in the eyes and face but it is a steam engine. Ride takes about an hour to get to Devils Bridge. Turn around is and hour but you don't have to get the same train back. An hour is enough time to quickly explore Devils Bridge or get some food at the train stop or shop over the road. Sat in the penultimate carriage for the return ride, had a nice view of the engine travelling in reverse pulling the carriages.

  • 3/5 Tony H. 1 year ago on Google
    Came here today thought it was good but abit overpriced was £30 each adult and £2.50 a child. Train takes 1 hour to get to its destination there's some nice views on the way but there's not much there. There was a cafe and chocolate shop. Not much undercover If its raining like it was on our visit also you don't get enough time to explore as it's 1 hour until train departs back no one tells you anything you have to ask questions. Overall we thought was OK wouldn't do again tho.

  • 5/5 Ade J. 6 months ago on Google
    I’ve done this trip about half a dozen times now - it’s about a one-hour trip and a great one for visitors to see some scenery without the hiking or when the weather isn’t the best. - and a great little cafe on the Devil’s Bridge end. The turnaround time makes visiting the Devil’s Falls difficult if you wanted to return on the next train, but there are timetable options depending on the time of year

  • 5/5 Rob L. 4 months ago on Google
    Great authentic historical steam railway, which winds its way over several miles up to Devil's Bridge. A brilliant day out for kids and adults alike, and an important working example of many general aspects of life in the remote mountains and valleys for well over 100 years.

  • 5/5 Amy F. 6 months ago on Google
    Such a beautiful journey through and above the valley. The journey to devils Bridge was about an hour, the trip back was slightly faster. The views were breathtaking and just amazing. We saw red kites feeding on the ground in the fields, horses, donkeys, sheep (of course) plus lots of remote houses and countless rivers, streams and waterfalls. We chose the open carriage but had lots of soot on us (and in our eyes) on the way to Devils Bridge, but none on the return journey. If I did it again I'd choose the covered carriage on the way to Devils Bridge and the open carriage on the way back for good photos. Definitely worth the money and get on the website and read about the history... fascinating!

  • 5/5 john j. 5 months ago on Google
    The Aberystwyth station appears brand new, but in the style of the golden years of GWR. The staff are unbelievably nice and helpful, and the station shop a delight. The station is worth a visit just to see the toilets. The train journey is everything you could want from a great little train of Wales. At the destination of Devils Bridge there are a few nice walks to see the waterfalls etc, and a nice little cafe to refresh yourself.

  • 5/5 Cheryl M. 4 months ago on Google
    1st day ‘Llewelyn’ was out in new black livery. Going in October you can actually see the views as many leaves had dropped. The guard kindly got a step for me to climb aboard & stowed a pushchair. Only saw a couple of red kites this visit. The grandchildren loved when the cars had to wait for train at crossings. A must do for any visit in the area. Last time we visited there was a senior concession but not this time sadly.


Call +44 1970 625819 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Assistive hearing loop
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance

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