TORRINGTON

N 50deg 57.417'

W 04deg 09.912'

CAR PARKING - YES

REFRESHMENTS - YES

BIKE HIRE - YES

BIKE SHOP - NO

The Torrington stop on the Tarka Trail is at the site of the old station which is now the Puffing Billy pub.  Across the track from the Puffing Billy you will find Torrington Cycle Hire.

To reach the town proper from the station you're going to have to go uphill!  If you're on a bike you're looking at a steep road section on a relatively busy road.  If you're on foot though you'll find footpaths that lead across Torrington Common.  You'll find a map of the commons on the old platform.  At busy times you'll often find an ice-cream van and/or burger van near the commons car park.

Torrington is proud of its civil war heritage and elsewhere in the town you'll find the Torrington 1646 visitor centre where you can get a taste of what life was like in those turbulent times.

Torrington is also home to Dartington Crystal, world renowned glass makers.  You can tour the factory and watch the glass-blowers in action or look for bargains in the factory shop.

The Torrington Cavaliers are a charity group best known for their spectacular charity bonfires that have included replicas of old London streets and HMS Victory.

Since this picture was taken the track has been extended the full length of the platform and a small diesel loco that used to work in a nearby quarry has arrived (see the video below).  The Tarka Valley Railway Group have ambitious plans to re-lay a significant length of track whilst maintaining pedestrian and bike access.  Eventually they plan to have steam trains running along the lines once more.  More details of this exciting project are available from their display in the Puffing Billy.

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