Welcome to Lappa Valley Steam Railway
Living Steam in a Magical Setting, in the Heart of Cornwall near Newquay
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Lappa Valley Steam Railway
In the unique historic setting of the Lappa Valley you will find loads of fun things to do and discover! There are three separate miniature railways running through this oasis of conservation, where wildlife thrives in a protected environment. It's a great place to enjoy peace and quiet away from it all.
Track and Stations
Our steam railway is built to 15 inch gauge (350mm gauge) which is approximately one-quarter of the size of standard gauge railways. This gauge was selected in 1973 by the founder of the railway, Eric Booth, as being the most efficient gauge for a line of our length.
Benny Halt
East Wheal Rose
The track runs on a section of the trackbed originally built in 1849 for a minerals railway to serve the mine at East Wheal Rose.
We have one mile of track running through the Lappa Valley between our stations at Benny Halt and East Wheal Rose. Car parking and our ticket office can be found at Benny Halt while the rest of our activities are located at East Wheal Rose at the end of your journey by steam train. We run regular scheduled services in season and some special events.
We have one mile of track running through the Lappa Valley between our stations at Benny Halt and East Wheal Rose. Car parking and our ticket office can be found at Benny Halt while the rest of our activities are located at East Wheal Rose at the end of your journey by steam train. We run regular scheduled services in season and some special events.
Our Locomotives
Zebedee (15 inch gauge railway)
0-6-4 Pannier tank locomotive, coal fired. Designed by David Curwen, built 1974 by Severn Lamb of Stratford-upon-Avon.
Muffin (15 inch gauge railway)
0-6-0 Tender locomotive, coal fired. Designed by David Curwen, built 1967 by Berwyn Engineering of Chippenham.
0-6-4 Pannier tank locomotive, coal fired. Designed by David Curwen, built 1974 by Severn Lamb of Stratford-upon-Avon.
Muffin (15 inch gauge railway)
0-6-0 Tender locomotive, coal fired. Designed by David Curwen, built 1967 by Berwyn Engineering of Chippenham.
Zebedee
Muffin
Eric (10¼ inch gauge railway)
0-6-0 diesel hydraulic Perkins 22 bhp. Designed and built by Alan Keef Ltd of Ross-on-Wye.
APT (7¼ inch gauge railway)
4w + 4w, petrol, single cylinder 8 hp. Built by Mardyke Miniature Railways of Rainham.
0-6-0 diesel hydraulic Perkins 22 bhp. Designed and built by Alan Keef Ltd of Ross-on-Wye.
APT (7¼ inch gauge railway)
4w + 4w, petrol, single cylinder 8 hp. Built by Mardyke Miniature Railways of Rainham.
Eric
APT
Activities
PRICES INCLUDE ALL ACTIVITIES (except coin-operated cars)
- Newlyn Branchline - 10¼" gauge Newlyn branch line running from East Wheal Rose.
- Woodland Railway - 7¼" gauge miniature woodland railway.
- Boating Lake - Canoes and paddle boats on our lake.
- Maze - Brick-and-turf maze based on Trevithick's railway locomotive of 1804.
- Crazy Golf - Crazy golf and putting.
- Play Areas - Slides, swings, roundabout, climbing frames, sand pit and adventure castle for the children.
- Nature Trails - Woodland walks.
- Childrens' Rides - Coin-operated bikes for children (5 years +).
Boating Lake
Crazy Golf
Play Areas
Childrens' Rides
Facilities
- The Whistle Stop Café - Meals, drinks and snacks in the licensed coffee shop.
- Shopping - Lappa Valley gift shop.
- Picnic Areas - Three picnic areas with tables.
- Parking - Parking facilities at Lappa Valley.
- Disabled Visitors - Information on disabled access.
Gift Shop
Picnic Areas
Heritage and Environment
The Lappa Valley is an oasis of wildlife conservation with a host of unusual species thriving in a protected environment. You will see many of them during a visit whether you’re on a train, boat or walking round the woodlands. Buzzards, Ravens, Woodpeckers and Mallards live in the valley and in the summer Swallows nest at East Wheal Rose. On warm days, beautiful dragonflies skim over the lake.
Lappa Valley is an oasis of wildlife conservation
East Wheal Rose Engine House - In 1846 over 1,200 men, women and children were employed in the mine at East Wheal Rose. In those days the valley would have been filled with the sounds of ore being dressed (broken up), wagons rolling in and out, steam engines hissing and whistling, and the general hubbub of so many people at work. In an age before television, this scene was the wonder of the neighbourhood and a favourite place for Sunday excursions.
Birthday Parties and Special Events
Why not have hold your birthday party here, especially suitable for pre-teenage children.
Here at Lappa Valley we hold different events thoughout the year, including our Santa Specials where Father Christmas has agreed to visit our steam engines Zebedee and Muffin in their beautiful home in the Lappa Valley where he will set up his special Christmas grotto.
Here at Lappa Valley we hold different events thoughout the year, including our Santa Specials where Father Christmas has agreed to visit our steam engines Zebedee and Muffin in their beautiful home in the Lappa Valley where he will set up his special Christmas grotto.
Further Information and Contact Details
If you would like further information about Lappa Valley Steam Railway please visit our main website
Lappa Valley Steam Railway, St. Newlyn East, Newquay, Cornwall, TR8 5LX
Location Map