Description
Plymouth Miniature Steam is a charming live-steam miniature railway set within a peaceful nature reserve in Southway Valley. Run mainly by model engineering enthusiasts, it is known as one of Plymouth’s best kept secrets. Open to the public on selected Sundays from April to October, it offers a fun and nostalgic experience for all ages.
Visitors can enjoy miniature steam train rides travelling through woodland, over bridges and through tunnels before returning to the station café serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and home-baked cakes. Located in a nature reserve, the site also offers opportunities for wildlife spotting. The railway is supported by dedicated volunteers and offers membership opportunities, workshop access, apprenticeship programmes, and special membership events for model engineering enthusiasts.
Train rides cost £1.30 per person (under 3s free). Full Membership costs £35, and Junior Membership (Under 16, or 18 if in full-time education) costs £10.
Overall, Plymouth Miniature Steam provides a delightful and affordable family outing in a scenic woodland setting. Its miniature trains, welcoming café, and volunteer-led atmosphere create a unique community experience. It is an ideal Sunday activity for families, railway enthusiasts, and anyone looking for a relaxing afternoon outdoors.
Features
- Paid
- Host birthday parties: No
Features
- Plymouth Miniature Steam is primarily a membership organisation for model engineering enthusiasts, however it is better known as Plymouth’s best kept secret. Nestled in a nature reserve in the Southway valley area is a ‘Live-Steam’ miniature railway. The railway is open to the public for train rides on the first and third Sundays of each month from April to October.
- The railway travels through woods, over bridges and through tunnels, arriving back at the station in time to grab some refreshments from our on-site cafe, serving hot and cold drinks, snacks and home-baked cakes. Delighting the young, not so young and the slightly more seasoned, Plymouth Miniature Steam is a perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon with fun for all the family.
- Real steam trains evoke memories of yesteryear or make small eyes light up with amazement; those with a greater interest in model engineering will find plenty to keep them curious. Keep your eyes peeled away from the tracks too as Plymouth Miniature steam is located in a nature reserve, and you never know what, or who you might see.
- Come visit us when we open again on one of our running days. Rides will cost just £1.30 per person (under 3’s free). See our Events for more details. We would ask that all visitors be considerate of our neighbours, refrain from making excessive noise or parking carelessly.
Membership: Membership is open to all. Model engineers, steam enthusiasts and railway nuts make up the dedicated team of volunteers who build the bridges, maintain the railway and have built the steam engines, diesel electrics and rolling stock enabling us to provide public rides. Their hard work and dedication has helped to maintain and grow the surrounding woodland. There is also an apprenticeship programme where aspiring model engineers can learn practical skills alongside club members at the Plympton Academy workshops. These workshop days are exclusively open to all members to make use of the facilities. Membership Events
1.61 miles
