Cornwall's Looe Valley Railway
One of Southwest England's Most Scenic Branch Lines
The railway opened in 1860 to provide a route to the coast for the granite and copper mines of Bodmin Moor, following the towpath of a canal that had been built in 1828. Passenger services started in 1879, and in 1901 the line was extended by a steep, almost circular section that rises to the level of the main London – Penzance line at Liskeard, a charming little market town on the southern edge of Bodmin Moor.
Liskeard
An old stannary town, Liskeard’s attractions include Cornwall's second largest parish church, a museum that documents the area’s industrial and mining heritage and the Merlin Glass craft centre where you can watch glassware being worked into intricate designs.
After the steep grade down from Liskeard, the single track railway follows the valley of the East Looe River, with glimpses through the trees of secluded farm houses and grazing cattle, a carpet of bluebells in the Spring and of wading birds on the salt marsh after the route reaches the pretty tidal estuary.
Walking and Cycling Opportunities
The Looe Valley Line gives access to some excellent walking and cycling opportunities. If you can find a copy, the booklet “Rambles By Rail No.2: Liskeard to Looe” outlines seventeen scenic walks to and from each of the four tiny intermediate stations along the line. The train can carry bicycles.
There are pubs or little cafés within a few minutes walk of most stations. Near St Keyne is the Magnificent Music Machines Museum, while a mile from Causeland the village of Duloe has an ancient stone circle and a fine 13th century church with an unusual square tower that is not quite vertical. Sandplace, the last stop before Looe, is where 200 years ago barges would dump sand from local beaches for spreading on the fields as a fertilizer.
Looe
The ancient port of Looe still offers a steady supply of fresh fish and crabs that are prized by local restaurants. But the town is now better known for its thriving tourist industry. The estuary is lined with pleasure boats as well as trawlers; it is England’s main centre for shark fishing; and it hosts sailing races for modern dinghies and, every two years, for traditional fishing luggers.
Southwest Coastal Footpath
From Looe the Southwest Coastal Footpath leads east towards Whitsand Bay and Rame Head, and west towards Talland Bay and the historic fishing village of Polperro.
Trains on the Looe Valley Line operate throughout the year and carry local shoppers, schoolchildren and commuters as well as visitors, although the frequency of service increases during the summer holiday period.
Community Rail Partnership
The Looe Valley Line is one of five similar branch lines in Cornwall that are supported by the Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership, one of 40 Community Rail Partnerships in the UK, which has been able to secure financial support from the European Union and other sources. They promote the lines by producing regular timetable and scenic guides, as well as leaflets highlighting leisure opportunities such as walking or visiting local country pubs through their the Rail Ale Trail programme. Volunteers help maintain and promote each station.
Rail Ticket Promotions
Trains are operated by First Great Western, which offers various discounted rover and ranger tickets: the Cornwall Day Ranger for off-peak train travel, at £10 for adults; the Looe Valley Line Ranger, at £3, allows unlimited travel between the Looe Valley Line stations for a day; and Ride Cornwall tickets, at £12, which combine train and bus travel within the county.
The station at the head of the line, Liskeard
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The 13th century church, Duloe
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East Looe and the beach
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Old fishermen's cottages, Looe
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A traditional fishing lugger leaving Looe harbour
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