Vale of Rheidol Railway - Aberystwyth

Monika P.

Nice and comfortable trip. Especially if you choose 1st class.
Breathtakingly views. Be careful if you want to visit waterfall. You have only 1h break and it's not enough time to go around, you can only visit Devil's bridge which is spectacular as well and cost only 2£ pp!

Kate P.

Definitely worth a visit. Gorgeous views from the train. Everything is kept clean and tidy and that includes the toilets at the Aberystwyth station, spotless!! We took our two terriers and it was a nice touch receiving a dog treat bag for each dog. Great seeing the trains being driven by the younger generation. Plenty of parking with a easy to use parking meter, you pay when leaving.

Anne M.

Despite being diesel traction that day and not a steam train we really enjoyed the day, lovely scenery on the journey, walked the waterfalls wall at Devil's Bridge, a delicious lunch at Woodlands tearoom, and caught the later train back.

Jes W.

We took the 3hr round trip to The Devils Bridge. The views are beautiful,one moment in amongst the woodland trees then out onto an open hillside with a view up and down the valleys.
The Engines and Coaches are beautifully clean and well maintained as is the museum and all other buildings.
A very enjoyable trip and browse around the 'Engine Shed' museum, which is included in the price. Every bit as good as the Ffestiniog railway further North.

Lois W.

I loved the train ride from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge. All staff were very helpful and very cheerful. Took the dog and she loved it. Had to take a photo of the toilets in the Aberystwyth station as they are beautiful (not something you would usually hear). Views were amazing.

Kathryn S.

Booked tickets for the polar express.

First, the good points.
our grandson, who is 6, watched the earlier train come in his face lit up it was magical (we didn't tell him where we were going).
The actors on the train were very good with the children and did help people on and off the train. There were snowball fights with soft white balls and lots of dancing and singing going on for everyone to join in with and even some jokes being told.
We stopped for some really lovely tasting hot chocolate and a cookie, then returned back to the station.
Everywhere was very well lit. The toilets were dated, which i loved, and they were very clean. The platforms were very clean, and there were places to sit down.

Now the bad points.
We booked for 7 pm. We was still stood on the platform at 7.20pm with no train, and it seemed nothing was happening.
The children were fed up, and so were the adults. Everyone could see the train up the track a little, which didn't help.
We were then taken in a building to watch the actors put a little show on and put into groups depending on which carriage you were in, only to be walked back outside and then wait another 5 minutes for the train.
After the train journey, we got taken back into the building where there was more singing, then santa came, gave a little talk, and the actors gave everyone a silver bell.
After this, the children went to see santa, where they could have they picture taken with him. It doesn't make sense why santa couldn't have used this opportunity to give the children the sliver bell himself, which would have been nicer. (santa himself didn't look very realistic. We have seen better ones for a lot less money).
For the price you pay, the children could have had a little something extra like a selection box or something. (children's tickets being the same as the adults).
All in all, there was a lot of standing around waiting for things to happen.
If they need more time to prepare for the next train journey, then it would be helpful to know when purchasing the tickets as its hard for children with disabilities to just wait around.
We got back to the car where we needed to pay for parking (£4).
All this being said, our grandson loved it. He's not stopped talking about it and said he would love to go again.

LYN W.

Lovely journey up from Aberystwyth to Devil's Bridge. Unfortunately, it's not cheap, £35 adult ticket.
We did visit the museum a few days before and paid £5 adult admission fee.
Perhaps, it should be better advertised, that if you buy a train ticket the museum ticket is also included.

Hannah W.

This is one of the best steam train trips in the UK. The station at Aberystwyth is brand new and has great facilities including a railway shed museum. Also has loads of parking.
The train travels along the line following the valley as it climbs up to the summit. There are wonderful views, and it's just as good on a rainy day as it is on a sunny day. Some of the carriges are open sided so at busy times it's worth arriving early to get your preference of carrige.
At the Devils Bridge End, there is a lovely little cafe, small gift shop as well as access to Devils bridge and waterfalls.