🚂 Rail Fest: Celebrating the 170th Anniversary of the Barnstaple to Exeter Line! 🚂
Join us for a historic journey as we celebrate the 170th anniversary of the Barnstaple to Exeter line! Here’s what we’ve got planned:
📍 Stop 1: Barnstaple Junction Station & The Station Masters Café
Take a look at the station that was opened exactly 170 years ago and has been North Devon’s main rail gateway ever since. Read about the history of Barnstaple station, including its days as Barnstaple Junction, with routes to Ilfracombe, Bideford, South Molton and Taunton as well as the line to Crediton and Exeter. You can even join us for our historical re-enactment of the official Opening Ceremony at 10:45am on Thursday 1st August. Don’t forget to get your heritage trail stamped in the Station Masters Café!
🛤 Stop 2: Barnstaple Town Station Sign on the Strand
- Snap a photo with the new station sign on the Strand! There is also a fantastic photo opportunity with our brand new Victorian-themed Aunt Sally boards. Ask in the wonderful Queen Anne’s Café on the Strand to get your second stamp!
📚 Stop 3: The Library
- Join us for screenings of The Return of the Railway Children or Murder on the Orient Express. The library will also be running train-themed crafts every day. Get your third stamp at the ground floor counter.
🏛 Stops 4 & 5: Barnstaple Guildhall
- Visit two amazing Railway Exhibitions hosted by NDRO, Athenaeum Library, and Barnstaple Town Council, spread across both floors of the Guildhall. Upstairs, the BTC exhibition will also feature models of Barnstaple Town Station, Parracombe, and Lynton Station from the wonderful Dartmoor 009 Group. Collect stamps at both stops!
🏞 Stop 6: Pannier Market
- Discover stalls from various train organizations and view personal train model displays. On Sunday and Monday, there is a Victorian Fair spanning the whole market. It will be full of food from Roots and North Devon Hog Roast, Victorian vendors, an authentic shanty choir, barrel organs, a ‘poet for hire’, face painting, a costume competition, and more! Ask a member of staff for your sixth and final stamp!
Join us in celebrating this remarkable milestone!
Hope to see you there! 🚂🎉
