The Lappa Valley Railway is a 15 in (381 mm) minimum gauge railway located near Newquay in Cornwall. The railway functions as a tourist attraction, running from Benny Halt (50.3756°N 5.0412°W / 50.3756; -5.0412 (Benny Halt)) to East Wheal Rose (50.3623°N 5.0416°W / 50.3623; -5.0416 (East Wheal Rose)), where there is a leisure area with two miniature railways.
In 1843, Joseph Treffry suggested building a tramway between Par and Newquay, with a branch line to the East Wheal Rose silver lead mine, which at the time was entering its most prosperous period. Treffry spent six years trying to overcome public opposition to the tramway and was forced to modify his intended route. The Treffry Tramways were eventually built from Newquay to St. Dennis with the branch line to East Wheal Rose, and the first load of ore left East Wheal Rose on 26 February 1849 in horse-drawn tubs. 1874 saw the Treffry's network of tramways taken over by the Cornwall Minerals Railway, who introduced steam locomotives to the line.
Monday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Thursday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Friday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Saturday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Andy Roberts | Feb 18, 2018
Small theme park but train ride in is a unique experience and everything inside is free, apart from some coin operated kiddie cars. Excellent play facilities for young kids.
Lilia Subkhankulova | Feb 26, 2018
We have done a Santa's Grotto experience and even though it was a very wet and miserable evening, our girls loved every minute. We were the last ones in the grotto and the 3 yeal old was very excited and pleased with her encounter with Santa.There were additional attraction such as bumper cars and another train, crazy golf etc. wish we arrived earlier! In addition there was a kids entertainer on site. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea, but my children loved it. There was a complementary mince pie and mulled wine each for the adults in the caf - a welcome touch! The girls got a decent present each and the train journey was magical - especially on the way back with all the lights twinkling in the dark. Fully recommend it - but dress very warmly as a lot of attractions are outdoors and the train journey itself if quite lengthy. P.S. you can take pushchairs on the train - they have a separate float for all the pushchairs, which is quite handy as no need to fold.
Stephen Creech | Oct 25, 2017
Great day out for the family with lots to do. Entry ticket covers all activities apart from electric cars (£1). Three different trains to ride on, boats, crazy golf and a big children's play area with slides will keep the children entertained. Cafe also available with hot and cold food options. Picnics welcome with several areas to eat. Staff are very friendly too.
Paul Barber | Oct 25, 2017
Where to start! Good value, great activities for kids and adults alike. The staff are first class and bend over backwards to engage and entertain the children. I cannot rate this place high enough, we will definitely visit again.
daniel carter | Oct 23, 2017
I have to put my worth in. I don't know how people are down rate this. It might to some seem expensive but you can easily pay the same or more to be in a heated play center with expensive coffee and WiFi for the parents to ignore their children. If your finding nothing to do after an hour you must be used to be needing entertained. Myself, my partner and two children easily spent the whole day here and was sad when we had to leave, on the last Train. It is what it is and I didn't think the play equipment outdated. Some people must have a lack of imagination. I loved the place, little steam trains in the middle of nowhere surrounded by trees. A little canoeing lake which we used about three times. And didn't get bored! Cannot wait to go back.
Ian Evison | Mar 28, 2018
Absolutely amazing time. We have 3 kids 4,2 and 3months. Had a great day even though the weather was far from being perfect. The kids (and parents) where well catered for with activities and reasonably priced food and drink. Good family time and will definitely return soon.
Hannah Lillywhite | Mar 30, 2018
Amazing week staying in the station flat at Lappa Valley, our 3rd year visiting from Dubai with our twins who are now 5 but 1st time staying on site. Everyone has been so kind and fun especially Aaron the awesome train driver as well as all the other great drivers, Keith and Sarah the great hands in owners and Sarah and Bramble the dog who were so helpful with the flat booking (well Bramble didn't have much e mail involvement!) and the smiley ticket office and cafe ladies. Lappa Valley is a real hidden gem of old school family time with lovely food or you can bring your own picnic no problem. Dogs are allowed and it has such a welcoming feel, our children say they are 'going home to Lappa' :) The annual Easter duck race is a unique experience....only the Cornish can give the Grand National a challenge with a leaf blower and Andy in his waders! Our twins cant wait to tell their teachers about ducks feet blood vessells or lack of - great idea to add fun facts to the treasure hunt. The engines are beautifully kept and we look forward to seeing Muffin when we come back in July and she has finished from her major overhaul. Hopefully we can stay in the flat again one day as it is so warm and cosy and a great location for exploring this part of Cornwall too as well as having a digital detox. Love seeing the trains from our window 1st thing in the morning and hearing the owls at night. A magical place, don't change a thing (other than Aunt Julie's fridge door suggestion perhaps!)
James Shez | Apr 3, 2018
Great for kids up to 6 years everything is nice and close together, great day out would come again!
A Carter | Apr 16, 2018
This place is brilliant if you or you kids have a special interest in trains and railways, it's also the perfect place to get up and close to some lovely steam engines and let your kids run wild in the play parks. The car park is big and the station area has a small play area for kids while waiting for trains. There are some information boards in the station to read and sometimes you can see into the shed and see locos being worked on. There is a turntable at the far end of the station where you can see the locos being turned round which is fun to watch if you have interested kids. The train ride is fun to the park where there are several play areas for different ages to play. There are a couple of cafes that serve the normal tea and cake etc. It's good fun to have a canoe around the pond and sometimes see tadpoles and frogs. However, there is not much shelter if you go on a rainy day as most the kids stuff is outside. The staff have always been helpful and jolly and I feel this is a good day out for a variety of ages.
Alex Coates | Apr 11, 2018
Children really enjoyed it. The train rides were all good, the one you get on to enter the park was longer than I expected but not too long. The crazy gold was fun but a little worse for wear - our balls got stuck inside some of the structures. At least you don't have to pay to use it. Pedalo and canoe rides are also free, but if you want to use the bumper cars you have to buy a token for £1 for each go. There's lots of outdoor play equipment which the children really enjoyed. Some interesting historical buildings with information on site too. Also nice hot food from the cafe as well.
edward hole | May 7, 2018
Fantastic place for families with even the slightest interest in railways. From the train ride to the main area to the gift shop we loved it. Will be returning. Great day out.
Andy Walton | Jun 5, 2018
A fantastic set up with a novel approach of having to get the steam train to the attraction. Plenty to do for those of primary school age, will keep them entertained for hours under 1 ticket price. We went on a busy school holiday day and whilst they ran extra trains to get everyone into the park, queues for attractions were very long and some walks/attractions were also closed. But the ice cream stand and cafe both served excellent food. Plus it is dog friendly which is a bonus. Would go back in the future
Alex Coates | May 24, 2018
Children really enjoyed it. The train rides were all good, the one you get on to enter the park was longer than I expected but not too long. The crazy golf was fun but a little worse for wear - our balls got stuck inside some of the structures. At least you don't have to pay to use it. Pedalo and canoe rides are also free, but if you want to use the bumper cars you have to buy a token for £1 for each go. There's lots of outdoor play equipment which the children really enjoyed. Some interesting historical buildings with information on site too. Also nice hot food from the cafe as well.
Bry Moffat | Jun 8, 2018
Great morning out. Wouldn't spend a full day there. The trains are excellent, and enough to look at. Be a great day out for kids who like trains.!! Kids play area, crazy golf course, pedalos... There can be a que in the cafe at lunch time.. but all in a great place to visit..
Leon Butler | May 29, 2018
Have visited twice and had two very different experiences. Unless you have an offer it is very expensive for what you get. Price aside, children will love the 5-10min steam train ride up to the park. On arrival there are a series of activities to enjoy; two other miniature railways, mini golf, play area and a boating lake. There is also an on-site cafe and gift shop too. However, our visit (in March) was somewhat overshadowed by construction work and the plethora of delapodated props strewn around the periphery of the park. It really zapped the joy out of the visit; broken boats, bits of scrap. The lake was undergoing some renovation too. Warning visitors of this and or reducing entry prices would have been welcomed. It was off-season so suspect this would be resolved for the masses in summer??? Real shame, as on our first visit two years previous was a much better experience that my then 3yr old loved.
Sophie Barclay | Jul 9, 2018
Amazing visit to here yesterday with my son who has just turned 3, and mum and dad. First impressions were a little surprised, as it looked tiny, but the very helpful man on the ticket and train reception happily filled us in about the whole park and the trains. All the staff which were encountered were so friendly and approachable. All staff were also super friendly with my son which he loved. The trains were all amazing, and it's amazing that you can ride on each as much as you like. The fact that everything other than food and go Karts are free is super. The park looked and felt well looked after and clean. Very pleased.
Rosie Godfrey | Jun 25, 2018
I visited here with my three kids, aged 3, 5 and 8, my husband and our dog. The trains are great fun for all ages, and it was lovely that our dog was welcomed and allowed to ride on them. However, the play areas are aimed at under 5's, which was perfect for our youngest children but our eldest was a bit big for a lot of it. We all had a great day, especially my 3 and 5 year olds. I would recommend it for families with under 5's but probably not for older children.
Wander is a travel search engine that allows you to find the perfect travel destination that fits your budget and preferences.
Cheap travel packages from Washington, D.C.
Cheap travel packages from Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA)
Cheap travel packages from Andrews Air Force Base (ADW)
Cheap travel packages from Baltimore/Washington Intl. Thurgood Marshal (BWI)
Cheap travel packages from Hagerstown Regional Richard A Henson Field (HGR)
Get compensated for late flights
The Ultimate Long Haul Flight Guide
Winter Wonderland: Top Destinations for Winter 2018
The Ultimate Travel Checklist!
What is it about Inspirational Travel Quotes?
Top Destinations for a Romantic Getaway