Family fun while lighting the coals and steaming up the engines at Lappa Valley Steam Railway near Newquay, Cornwall
Newquay is one of the UK’s most popular holiday destinations, with sandy beachs, sea activities for all ages and plenty of family friendly places to visit too. Piran Meadows Resort & Spa is the perfect base to explore the region from, with unbeatable facilties itself, including an indoor heated swimming pool, fun outdoor splash zone, wonderful Go Active programme and even a golf simulator. As well as the relaxing Serenity Spa offering indulgent treatments, along with the beautiful sauna and steam room, the award winning resort is simply spectacular. During your stay at Piran Meadows, why not take a short drive to the Lappa Valley Steam Railway? With plenty on offer and beautiful scenery too boot, you will fall in love with the charming trains and magical woodland.
Read on to find out more…
about trains…
A day out at Lappa Valley is brilliant fun for all the family, discovering a fantastic day of adventure at the winner of Primary Times Reader Star Awards, for the Best Family Attraction and the Overall Winner Awards. Having undergone a range of exciting developments over the winter, to add to the already outstanding acvities, there is something for all ages! With 3 unique railways to explore, the woodland railway, the newlyn downs branchline, which also takes you around the magical woodland walk and play trains, as well as the east wheal rose line, taking you from the car park, under the Mertha Bridge and around the lake. Grab a bite to eat at The Whistle Stop Café, enjoying locally sauced produced in delicious lunch time meals, including jacket potatoes, pasties and paninis. As well as mouth watering Cornish cream teas, a selection of tempting homemade cakes and Cornish dairy ice cream all on offer.
meet the engines…
Lappa Valley has 6 engines that all have their own personality ad will make all your rides fantastic fun! Meet Muffin, the oldest of the bunch, who was built in 1967, and second oldest is Zebedee, a 1974 engine, both are coal fired and were designed by David Curwen. The Duke of Cornwall is a Ford petrol engine locomotive, built in 1981, which was also designed by David Curwen and comes from Stratford Upon Avon. Eric was built in 2008 by Alan Keff and was named after the founder of Lappa Valley. Don’t forget to meet Ruby, the newest member of the locomotive group, she was commissioned and built in 2015 for the 40th anniversary of Lappa Valley, and was named by the lovely visitors.
more than just trains…
Although the trains are fascinating and fun there are loads of other family activities to do as well, all included in one ticket price too! Located on the East Wheal Rose line the Canoeing Lake is great fun, with each canoe seating 2 adults and 1 child, with two islands to negotiate, this will be a great family adventure! (Just around the river bend…who gets the Disney reference?) If you have a very little one, don’t worry head on over to the fun Toddlers Maze. Made of brick and turf this maze is based on Trevithick’s 1804 railway locomotive, which was the first train in the world to ride on rails, the aim of the maze is to get to the centre and ring the bell in victory! There are plenty of outdoor play areas too, with pirate ships, climbing frames and football nets, all with picnic tables for the adults to rest their feet, or head on to the indoor play areas, which are great fun on a rainy day, or try your hand at the 18 hole family friendly crazy golf course! Take a walk through the magical woodland walk, nearly half a mile long and it has two beautiful hillside paths that offer a quiet view of the railway. Dogs are welcome to enjoy the walk too, but keep an eye out for the little critters who live there, stunning robins, fantastic foxes and even cute bunny rabbits!
So all aboard for Lappa Valley! And all at the price of £12 per adult, £10.00 per child or £40.00 for a family ticket, this family fun filled day is a total bargain!
Happy adventuring ladies and gents!
Want to keep up to date with all the latest information? Like us on Facebook and follow us on twitter to stay up to date on all things Darwin Escapes!