Dining Trains

About Dining Trains at the South Devon Railway.

In 1879 the first Restaurant Car was introduced in the UK. Since then, on-train catering has become an experience to savour, rather than just a convenient bite to eat! 

Take a journey back to those bygone days and step aboard our 1950s Restaurant Car where a scenic steam train journey is paired with local culinary delights. New for 2024, we are pleased to welcome aboard caterers from the fabulous Babbacombe Bay Café to offer our popular on-train dining experiences. 

Are you looking for the perfect gift? Gift Vouchers can be used on Dining Train bookings.

 

NEW Christmas Lunch or Dinner

A traditional Christmas meal will be served at your seat on either the 13.00 lunchtime or 19.00 evening service from Buckfastleigh. This festive experience will last over two hours and is the ideal way to celebrate this special time of year!

Upon arrival you will be welcomed by a roaring fire in the ticket office and a complimentary festive tipple. A four course menu of the freshest local ingredients provides gluten free and vegan options. Menu choices are selected at the time of booking.

Tickets on board the South Devon Limited Restaurant Car for Christmas Lunch or Dinner are £79 per person. This includes your train fare, first class supplement, welcome drink and all courses of your meal. Drinks are available to purchase from the at-seat bar service. 

These Christmas dining experiences operate on selected Tuesdays and must be booked in advance. 

Afternoon Tea

A traditional Afternoon Tea will be served at your seat on the 15.45 train from Buckfastleigh. The train will return at 17.00 and the experience will end at 17.15. 

A selection of sandwiches, savouries and cakes are made using fresh local ingredients. Certain special dietary requirements can be catered for if specified at the time of booking.

The Experience lasts for one and a half hours and is the ideal way to indulge in traditional West Country delicacies whilst enjoying the beautiful Devon scenery.

Tickets on board the South Devon Limited Restaurant Car for Afternoon Tea are £48 per person. This includes your train fare, first class supplement, all courses of your meal, and unlimited travel on other public SDR services for the whole day of your visit. Drinks are available to purchase from the at-seat bar service. 

Afternoon Tea takes place on selected Sundays between April and November.

Ploughman’s Lunch

NEW for 2024, join us for a wonderful Ploughman’s Lunch served at your seat on the 12.10 train from Buckfastleigh. The train will return at 13.30 and the experience will end at 14.00. 

The finest homemade treats and local produce, some of which has been sourced from the Dart Valley, will be served in the vintage setting of our 1950s Restaurant Car. A freshly made dessert will finish off your culinary journey. 

The Experience lasts for up to two hours and is the ideal way to indulge in traditional West Country delicacies whilst enjoying the beautiful Devon scenery.

Tickets on board the South Devon Limited Restaurant Car for a Ploughman’s Lunch are £48 per person. This includes your train fare, first class supplement, all courses of your meal, and unlimited travel on other public SDR services for the whole day of your visit. Drinks are available to purchase from the at-seat bar service. 

Ploughman’s Lunch takes place on selected Sundays during April, July and August.

Sunday Lunch

A three course Sunday Lunch will be served at your seat on the 12.10 train from Buckfastleigh. The train will return at 13.30 and the experience will end at 14.00.

A menu of the freshest local ingredients provides gluten free and vegan options. Menu choices are selected at the time of booking.

The Experience lasts for up to two hours and is the ideal way to indulge in traditional West Country delicacies whilst enjoying the beautiful Devon scenery.

Tickets on board the South Devon Limited Restaurant Car for a Sunday Lunch are £59 per person. This includes your train fare, first class supplement, all courses of your meal, and unlimited travel on other public SDR services for the whole day of your visit. Drinks are available to purchase from the at-seat bar service. 

Sunday Lunch takes place on selected Sundays from May to July and September to November. 

Our 2025 dates will be on sale very soon!