Car-Free Places to Stay in Devon | Near a Train Station

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Why stay near a station in Devon

Choosing a base close to a railway station means you can leave the car at home, or at least park it for the week, and still get around. BritStays currently lists 409 places to stay near a train station in Devon. Most are cottages (215) and hotels (159), with a smaller choice of caravanning (15), camping (11) and holiday park (9) options. If you want a pitch or a static van rather than four walls, there's far less choice, so it pays to look early.

Many of these stays also suit a car-free trip in other ways. 194 are near a bus stop, which helps for the stretch between the station and your door. 233 have EV charging nearby, which is useful if you're driving down in an electric car and taking the train for day trips.

Where the choice is

The listings are concentrated along the coast. Torquay has the most, with 100 stays across its listings, and Paignton is close behind with 89. Together they give you the widest range of cottages and hotels in one stretch. Beyond the bay, the main options are:

Exeter (32): a city base, handy if you want shops, culture and onward connections.
Dawlish (28): a smaller seaside choice with some characterful self-catering.
Dartmouth (24): a good base for castles and gardens.
Exmouth (13): a quieter coastal option.

Ilfracombe, Woolacombe, Salcombe and Sidmouth are also part of the region. None of them appears among the towns with the most station-side stays, so expect a narrower choice there.

Which areas suit which trip

Families will find the most to work with in Paignton. Several cottages there sleep four or five, including Turtle Beach, Starfish Shack, Crabby Cove, Shells Shore and Seagulls Rest. All five are near a bus stop as well as the station. Paignton Zoo is in the town, which makes an easy day out without a car. For a larger group, Deepend in Dawlish sleeps seven. Brunel Boutique Railway Carriage No 1, also in Dawlish, sleeps six and should go down well with anyone who likes trains.

Couples have smaller options to choose from. Seahorse Shore in Paignton sleeps two, as does Thorne Farm Annexe in Exmouth. If you'd rather not cook, Paignton has several hotels, including Russell Hotel, Sealawn Hotel and Torbay Court Hotel. Torbay Court Hotel lists a bar, restaurant and WiFi. In Exeter, Oke Lodge Hotel offers a city alternative.

Coast or countryside? Most of these stays sit in seaside towns, so a coastal break is the natural fit. If you're after open country, Dartmoor National Park is the obvious draw. Treat a coastal base as your starting point and plan moorland days carefully, as getting there without a car will take some working out.

Dog owners should note that pet-friendliness isn't among the facilities we have figures for in this set. Check each listing, or ask the owner directly, before you book.

What the example stays tell you

Look closely at the facility counts. Only 62 of the 409 stays list WiFi, only 38 list parking and 34 list disabled access. If any of these matter to you, don't assume they're included. Filter for them, or confirm with the host. Self-catering cottages here tend to sleep between two and seven. Hotels, meanwhile, are where you'll find on-site restaurants (39 stays) and bars (38).

Things to do once you're there

From a base in the bay you can spend days on heritage and gardens. The highlights include:

Coleton Fishacre, Bradley Manor and Overbeck's Museum and Gardens, all National Trust properties.
Dartmouth Castle, which pairs well with a stay in Dartmouth.
The Site of Old Torbay Aircraft Museum, a curiosity in Paignton.

Further inland, Tiverton Castle, Hemyock Castle and Escot House are worth a look if you're happy to travel a little further.

When to book

Because the choice clusters in Torquay and Paignton, those towns give you the most flexibility. Even so, family-sized cottages near the station are popular during school holidays, so book well ahead if your dates are fixed. The smaller categories, such as camping, caravanning and holiday parks, have very few listings, so a handful of bookings can fill them. If you need step-free access or parking, book as early as you can, because only a small share of stays offer them. Outside the busiest weeks you'll usually have more choice. Before paying, always check how you'll get from the station to the door and whether the stay suits your luggage.

Frequently asked questions

How many places to stay near a train station are there in Devon?

BritStays lists 409 stays near a train station in Devon. 215 are cottages and 159 are hotels, with smaller numbers of caravanning, camping and holiday park options.

Which Devon towns have the most stays near a station?

Torquay has the most, followed by Paignton. Exeter, Dawlish, Dartmouth and Exmouth also have a good number.

Are there larger self-catering options for groups near a station?

Yes. Deepend in Dawlish sleeps seven, and Brunel Boutique Railway Carriage No 1, also in Dawlish, sleeps six.

What is there for couples near a station in Devon?

Seahorse Shore in Paignton and Thorne Farm Annexe in Exmouth both sleep two. Paignton also has hotels such as Russell Hotel and Sealawn Hotel.

Do these stays have parking and WiFi?

Not always. Only 38 of the 409 stays list parking and 62 list WiFi, so check each listing before you book.

What can I visit from a base in Paignton?

Paignton Zoo and the Site of Old Torbay Aircraft Museum are in Paignton. National Trust properties such as Coleton Fishacre and Bradley Manor are also within the region.

Places to Stay Near a Train Station in Devon

Jubilee Cottage

Turtle Beach

Russell Hotel

Deepend

Starfish Shack

Sefton Lodge

Holiday Inn Express

Shells Shore

Twenty9 Hotel

Oke Lodge Hotel

Crabby Cove

Torbay Court Hotel

Seagulls Rest

Sealawn Hotel

Brunel Boutique Railway Carriage No 1

Seahorse Shore

The Berry Hotel

Brunel Boutique Railway Carriage No 2

7 Vista Apartments

Marine Hotel

Brunel Boutique Railway Carriage No 3

The Cottage

Cherry Tree Hotel

The Penthouse

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More around Devon

Why stay near a station in Devon

Where the choice is

Which areas suit which trip

What the example stays tell you

Things to do once you're there

When to book

Frequently asked questions

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