Exeter/Barnstaple/Bideford/Okehampton/Exeter - Two trains and two buses
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11 ай бұрынI've thought this would be fun for a while and I finally got round to, well, going round...
And it was fun! The line from Exeter to Barnstaple is lovely, the bus ride to Bideford is too. And Bideford, on an August day was great (as was the cheesecake). Then a run alongside the River Torridge back to Okehampton to discover the beautiful station there, topped off by another lovely run on the train back to Exeter. What a fab day out!
So... join me and we can do it all in about 20 minutes together!
Departure: Exeter Central, England, UK
Destination: Exeter Central, England, UK
Cost: Trains were £7.40 and £4.20 and the two bus rides were just £2 each
Date of Travel: August 2023
Operator: Great Western Railway and Stagecoach
Motive power: Class 158 DMU, Stagecoach ADL Enviro400, Stagecoach ADL Enviro300, Class 150 DMU
Thank you to everyone who watches, comments or subscribes. I really appreciate every one of you.
@lovefive5733 11 ай бұрын
A great video. Thank you for uploading this video 😊
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Thank you for watching 👍
@johnfoot2984 11 ай бұрын
It's nice to see they finished the Oakhampton platform buildings and the cafe is open. All those black lamposts as you were walking up the hill which are also all around the car park, the platform lights and lamposts, I installed with an Irish chap called Kieran. When you walked over the bridge and were coming back down onto the platform, there was old boy with his rucksack on the bench seat. He used to live in the flat above the ticket office until they closed the station. Now he sleeps on that bench, rain hail, sleet or snow, he's there every night. That was the last job I did as an electrician on the tools. We finished it in April 2022.
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Thank you so much for those memories and also for making the station look so great through your work and experience. 👍 Also interesting to hear about the chap on the bench. I did wonder about him as I've now been to Okehampton a couple of times and he's always there. I do hope someone looks out for him.
@nuinmarnuinmar5321 11 ай бұрын
Lovely journey(s)! Thank you for sharing.
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
And thank you for watching 👍
@mrbigbadtrev 23 күн бұрын
Most enjoyable and also helpful info. So far have only enjoyed Exeter/Okehampton.
@JohnnyHooverTravels 20 күн бұрын
@@mrbigbadtrev you are very welcome. I hope it tempts you to make a similar journey! Thanks for watching 👍
@mourdavi 11 ай бұрын
06:50 - That shot where we could hear the seagulls sounds so peaceful. Anyway, great video as always
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Aw, thank you. Every now and again I try to be a bit cinematic 😉 Thank you for watching 👍
@truebrit3578 4 ай бұрын
One of my favorite lines and it passes close to where my father’s family came from. I can remember walking alongside the line as a child and seeing the then steam trains chugging along. Just outside of Eggesford the Fox and Hounds hotel has a wonderful tree house that you can hire (two bedrooms) with a great view to the railway. Not cheap, and often booked in season, but a rather unique place to spend a rail touring holiday with the station only a few minutes walk away.
@JohnnyHooverTravels 4 ай бұрын
Thanks for those memories. And also for the info about the tree house, which is quite unique. Not quite in my price range but a wonderful thing nevertheless 😄 Thanks so much for watching 👍
@trailwayt9H337 21 күн бұрын
Sir Your videos are giving very Sharp motivational experience for my this channel. Your loved viewer from India ❤️
@JohnnyHooverTravels 20 күн бұрын
@@trailwayt9H337 thank you 👍
@liamburke1741 11 ай бұрын
Superb video. Really enjoyed that 👍👍
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Thank you. It's very nice of you to say so. I really enjoyed making it! 👍
@matthewodwyer3615 11 ай бұрын
Just recently discovered your channel. I think this may be one of my favourites so far. I wish I had the time (and funds) to get out and explore as much as you do! So far I have only managed a little Yorkshire expedition last month to explore the area between Sheffield and Leeds and to get a ride on an XC HST from Sheffield to Exeter before they are withdrawn. Keep up the good work!
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Thank you, you are very kind. And yes, I do consider myself lucky to have both the time and the funds to do this!
@Kulla1berg 11 ай бұрын
Excellent video I think James May built a model railway between Barnstaple and Bideford so it was just to change gauge to normal
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Yes I heard about the James May model railway. I hope it is replicated in standard gauge. Thank you, as always, for watching 👍
@MichaelSCollins 5 ай бұрын
What a lovely day out this appears to be (and for a decent budget too). Never been to this part of the country. Best wishes.
@JohnnyHooverTravels 5 ай бұрын
Thank you that is very kind of you. And thanks too for watching 👍
@VVellieMan 11 ай бұрын
Nice video, an enjoyable watch. As a former punk rocker I'm gonna guess you were listening to the Buzzcocks....
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Thank you! Haha. Not close, but a logical guess. Wasn't even a UK band 😉
@ampersand. 11 ай бұрын
Mr. Hoover, you just get betterer and betterer :D That was lovely, thank you, a very rich video indeed. It would be fun if you could return to Okehampton for a little extra exploration. The posters are wonderful, I love those BR ads. Hmmm... The Clash, Train in Vain?
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Well... between you and me... I went back to Okey the following week to shoot some bonus video to do exactly what you requested 😃 Give me a while and i will pop it out as a bonus. Currently at Beautiful Days festival. Looking forward to Skindred later today. Clash - great band. But the album I was listening to was released in 2020 by a German band (which is why it is v hard to guess) Thank you for the continued support. Until next time 👍
@webrarian 11 ай бұрын
All we need now is a boat to run from Barnstaple to Bideford and vice versa. Then it becomes a real Round Robin like Exeter to Starcross to Exmouth to Exeter, and Totnes to Dartmouth to Kingswear to Paignton to Totnes. Looking forward to getting my bus pass next month and doing the bus legs for free!
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Couple of good routes there. Enjoy your pass! Thanks for watching 👍
@nickbeer2658 11 ай бұрын
Glad you enjoyed my home town Bideford! Great video. With more time you could perhaps visit the heritage railway stations in Bideford and Torrington. Great that you mentioned the campaign to "do an Okehampton" in Bideford.
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Yes indeed, constraints on a trip like that meant no time to do the heritage stations, but I'd happily return. Bideford was great to visit, and I got no way close to seeing all it has to offer. Hopefully main line trains can return one day soon. Thank you for watching 👍
@theoldfunker 11 ай бұрын
Drive, Walk or Train the Tarka line is beautiful.
@laurenceskinnerton73 11 ай бұрын
The salmon pink colour at Crediton is L&SWR from the early twentieth century.
@laurenceskinnerton73 11 ай бұрын
The Barnstaple branch should be doubled!
@laurenceskinnerton73 11 ай бұрын
Never say never to reopening the line from Okehampton to Plymouth via Tavistock.
@ChrisH-1952 11 ай бұрын
More great enjoyment. I think I will try to replicate that journey some time as it looks really interesting. I was intrigued to see the no6 bus calling at the station (new since I used it last), which means the connection from/to Launceton/iBude is now even easier avoiding the steep climb.
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Indeed, onward travel from Ike station looks pretty good now. It was a fun journey to do with decent timed gaps at Bideford and Oke to get a bit of a look around. Thanks for watching another 👍
@walterfillingham 11 ай бұрын
Fabulous trip, I was aware of the Okehampton line reopening, but apart from that I have no knowledge of railways in your neck of the woods, so this video really wetted my appetite to go down and explore.. more please :) another cracking video, many thanks 😊 even the bus journey’s actually looked really enjoyable… even if they were Stagecoach (I feel coming from Scotland I have to apologise for the Perth based awful bus company)
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Thank you and yes, there's some lovely train and bus routes here in the South West of England. 👍
@kevinellis8869 11 ай бұрын
This is my sort of day out, glad to see you reverted to Real Ale for the second stop. Couldn't agree more about 158s over 150s, whilst the GWR and Northern units have been refurbed they're still past their sell by dates whereas the 158s still do a very good job on medium distance services.
@kevinellis8869 11 ай бұрын
Forgot to add, the least said about TfW using 150s on long distance services the better!
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
@@kevinellis8869 Thanks. The beer choice at the first pub was very limited although a cold lager was most welcome. Wasn't a proper beer though 😉 Oh my yes. Cardiff to Holyhead on a 150 is not quite what the passengers want! Thanks for watching 👍
@jimcrawford5039 11 ай бұрын
I remember as a young seaman on a little coaster going to Appledore and seeing a movie in Bideford. This was in 1957 as I recall. Another great video! Cheers from Oz.
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Haha Jim. Is there anywhere you haven't been! 😀 Thank you so much for watching another. 👍
@frglee 11 ай бұрын
Nice! Made me wonder about the possibility of another 'round robin'. Exeter to Okehampton ex-LSWR line train, the 118 Okehampton to Tavistock bus service (half of which actually depart from Okehampton station), then the 79 Tavistock to Gunnislake station bus, followed by the very scenic ex-LSWR Tamar Valley line into Plymouth, thence back to Exeter on the GWR service. Tavistock is also quite a pretty town to explore (I liked the indoor market) with no shortage of cream teas on offer!
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Yes, I did consider that. But I already have the line to Gunnislake on the channel and also recently did Exeter to Plymouth line too. That's why I did it this way. And, tbh, I really had never been to Bideford, so that also swung it. Thanks for watching and for the suggestion. Both are most appreciated 👍
@Battismore-Blue 11 ай бұрын
Went on the line from Exeter to Barnstaple in the late 70`s , on our way to Woolacombe for a holiday . The DMU had live chickens in crates in the guards van and at one stop the train overshot the station and had to reverse back to pick someone up
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
What a great memory. Thanks for sharing it and thanks for watching 👍
@john07973 11 ай бұрын
An excellent video with some great rides 👍I see Bideford has followed the recent proliferation nationally and has its own "Turkish Barber" strange that most are bereft of customers but producing trading accounts.
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Thank you for watching and supporting the channel. Luckily, this is a travel and not a hairdressing channel, so I couldn't possibly comment 😉
@DDJP 5 ай бұрын
Suprised you didn't walk over to Bideford's old railway station back over the bridge!
@JohnnyHooverTravels 5 ай бұрын
Actually that was a mistake in the video. I really should have done that 🤦♂ Do forgive me for that slip! Thanks for watching 👍
@enochliu8316 10 ай бұрын
Yeoford does have disused platforms on the Okehampton line, that could be reinstated in the future.
@JohnnyHooverTravels 10 ай бұрын
Good point. And a look on the google satellite view, it does seem like the approach to the platform hasn't been built over. So maybe they could. Thanks for watching 👍
@melvynbuckton6881 11 ай бұрын
Thoroughly enjoyed that thanks it was all my favourite part!
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Brilliant. Thank you for watching another 👍
@mikefharris66 11 ай бұрын
Thanks Johnny - I’ve been to Barnstaple many times but your video inspired me to catch the bus to Bideford today - be rude not to at £2! Keep up the interesting videos!
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Excellent. Nice one. It is indeed a lovely day to visit Bideford. 👍
@RoddyJenkins 11 ай бұрын
Another great video, Johnny! The views were certainly enjoyable - even through a dirty bus window! Incidentally, we’re you the only passenger aboard the bus between Biddeford and Okehampton…?! If the route between Okehampton and Plymouth - and I appreciate it is a big if - then it would make for an interesting circular journey along former LSWR/SR rails and the present GWR service along the south Devon coast
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
There were two or three other passengers. I tried to keep them off camera. I did consider a different route through Oke, going on to Tavistock and to Bere Alston by bus. But i had already featured the line from Bere Alston to Plymouth on the channel Thanks for watching another 👍
@brianrosson5659 7 ай бұрын
II love your videos, although I live in Kansas. I am always glad when someone orders a beer! My doctor forbade me alcohol years ago. I used to get Guinness when I lived in Texas. Delicious! I had a Guinness in Hong Kong in 1979 when I was in the American Navy .
@JohnnyHooverTravels 7 ай бұрын
Thanks for the kind words. I'm very pleased to bring some joy to Kansas! I've got Mahomes and Pacheco in my fantasy team this year so I have been following the Chiefs quite closely this year!
@davidtaylor6654 7 ай бұрын
Great commentary on all your journeys I have travelled to Brighton from Bristol Temple Meads when they did a direct train
@JohnnyHooverTravels 7 ай бұрын
Ah yes. Much sadness when Brighton to Bristol disappeared... Thank you for the kind words 👍
@markstramtrainbuscapades1729 11 ай бұрын
On holiday near Exmouth (at Devon Cliffs) in a fortnight and the Okehampton branch is on my to do list, although I did ride it twice on the old Sunday service, the second time also riding the Thumper to Meldon Quarry. Looking forward to it!
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
It's a lovely walk from the station to the Meldon quarry/viaduct if you want to stretch your legs. Enjoy Devon Cliffs. I love the coast path round there. 👍
@sandiandgregh 11 ай бұрын
Another picturesque journey and with some really lovely stations along the way. I love seeing old stations so well cared for. And that bridge. 14th century? I wonder when it was built, did they feel it was built to last so far into the future or perhaps that wasn't a thought at all. Impressive to say the least. My husband said at the end of your video that we're going to need to plan more than 3 weeks for our next holiday in England if we want to explore all of the train journeys we've been enjoying online. I think we need a sabbatical. LOL. Have a great week!
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Haha thanks. There is a lot to see for sure. I do wonder with structures like that how much of anything original remains after years and years of necessary repairs and maintenance 😀
@cryzcryz2345 11 ай бұрын
What a lovely trip. I wish I had enough time to travel everywhere. Thank you for a great video from beautiful Cornwall 🤗
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
no problem! Thank you for continuing to support the channel. The county is actually Devon, not Cornwall, although you were close. Hope things are good in Hull 👍
@cryzcryz2345 11 ай бұрын
@@JohnnyHooverTravels Yes everything is fine ☺ I'm sorry for my mistake. I thought Korwalia is bigger 🤭Greetings from Hull 🤗
@AnthonyHeaton-ih6rk 6 ай бұрын
Very nice. An idea for a trip next year, possibly starting at Copplestone. What number was the bus from Bideford to Okehampton? Let's hope it's still running in 2024. I guess the Meldon viaduct is the obsticle for the railway to go on to Plymouth.
@JohnnyHooverTravels 6 ай бұрын
I rode the 317 from Bideford to Okehampton - but yes, you'll have to check it is still running in 2024 on the day you want to travel. wrt the Meldon Viaduct, it is indeed one of the barriers to reopening that route and, by coincidence, the bonus video I release on Monday will be a walk over that very structure - so watch out for that one! and thanks for watching 👍
@colinriley123 11 ай бұрын
Yes enjoyed this. A well put together video ; a pleasure to watch. I note your beer choice is being monitored. Take Care!
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
I see your point. Too many lagers and I could lose 100 subscribers! Tbf that was the best beer they had. The second one was better. Best drink of the day was that Earl Grey though. Sometimes a cuppa just hits the spot 😁 Went back to Okey the following week to look in the museum and walk to Meldon Viaduct. So there should be a bonus video if the guy that does the editing can get out of the pub for ten minutes...
@rdstedall 9 ай бұрын
a wonderful video. I lived in Okehampton for 15 years (2002-2017) so much of what you did was very familiar. Sadly the re-opening of the line came a couple of years too late for me, but I did get to sample things when it used to have a summer Sunday service to Exeter. The Bideford to Oke bus service used to run either hourly or two-hourly but as numbers using it dropped, so has the service, which has led to further reductions in passengers and so it has spiralled down :-(
@JohnnyHooverTravels 9 ай бұрын
I'm pleased the video brought back some old memories and thanks for sharing them. And thanks for watching 👍
@simonpilk 11 ай бұрын
That was a really good watch I must say…
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Thank you, very kind. Thank you for watching 👍
@simonpilk 11 ай бұрын
@@JohnnyHooverTravels no problem, I feel a very similar move might be on the cards for me.
@seanward4545 11 ай бұрын
500 miles by the proclaimers 😂
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Nice guess. More modern than that. Thanks for watching👍
@telemachus53 10 ай бұрын
Gradually they'll reopen all those lines you mentioned. The Tarka line is a success story and they'll add the Bideford extension soon (hopefully!). It'll take more time to lay the rails for Okehampton from Bideford so you might still have to take the bus! A great journey and btw: a seagull stole a chip from my hand at Bideford so keep your eyes peeled for aggressive gulls..
@JohnnyHooverTravels 10 ай бұрын
Thanks! Let's stay optimistic about reopening 👍 And thanks for watching 👍
@MercenaryPen 8 ай бұрын
with Bideford as one of the larger towns in the UK without a railway connection, there has to be a fairly strong case for reconnecting it to the network
@AndrewG1989 11 ай бұрын
Love to go to Okehampton since GWR are operating to Okehampton to & from Exeter Central and Exeter St. David’s.
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Yes. It's a lovely ride and the station is almost a destination of itself! Thanks for watching another 👍
@AndrewG1989 10 ай бұрын
No problem 😊
@ds1868 5 ай бұрын
@@AndrewG1989they really need to reinstate the line to Plymouth for lots of reasons. It would be great!
@hectorthorverton4920 11 ай бұрын
Glad you like Crediton station. The tea room (no, not cafe) on the Up platform was excellent last time I used it, but you had tea at Okehampton, when the coffee is so good that I have been known to go there just for a mug of it. You clearly had a grand day out, and I'm going to follow in your footsteps. Not tailing you, honest...
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Thank you, and yes, I've subsequently popped back to Crediton for a closer look. If their coffee at Okey is as goid as their tea, then I'm not surprised you travel for it! Do enjoy following my route and report back how you get on. I'm most flattered you are considering the trip. Thank you 👍
@katashworth41 11 ай бұрын
This is straight to the heart of the periphery, but I thought the bus ads were slow to update here. One of them 7:40 is for The Fablemans which came out late January (and was fine, not one of Spielberg’s best).
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Haha. Out in the sticks eh, things are a little behind the times 😁 Thank you so much for watching 👍
@briannash1982 11 ай бұрын
At Meeth did you notice the remains of the station which was on the Torrington to Halwill Junction line.
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
No I did not. But tbf I wasn't looking for it! #poorresearch 😃 Thanks for the extra information and thank you so much for watching 👍
@Northerner_Transport_Hub 6 ай бұрын
Hey Johnny I found a route that does a decent attempt at your all the 2s challenge Penzance to Southport It's like 450 miles I also did Kings Cross to Leeds with just clsss 2 trains Would you like me to comment either or both or neither?
@JohnnyHooverTravels 6 ай бұрын
Sounds interesting! Essentially, with the Penzance-Southport route you are measuring the distance travelled rather than the amount north you have actually climbed... but that's ok. You can make up your own rules and adapt my original idea because that is surely the nature of these things. I'm just chuffed that you have engaged with the idea and run with it. Do comment about your own ideas and routes however you like. You are very welcome! A couple of other comments have said the same about it being a nice form of "slow travel". I'd be quite tempted to follow your route KX-Leeds as we all know the LNER expresses, but this would be a great change of pace. Nice one 👍
@Northerner_Transport_Hub 6 ай бұрын
@@JohnnyHooverTravels I'd be broke if I tried to do it because Hotel in penzance Relying on advance singles all the way to Southport Hotel in Southport Travel to penzance and back to Manchester from Southport It'd all be very Very VERY expensive
@JohnnyHooverTravels 6 ай бұрын
@@Northerner_Transport_Hub yes. That is the problem. I saved a few quid on mine by using a NW Ranger ticket for all the northern bits... but it is the o/night stays that really do make it expensive as you say!
@pixelfederationcom 11 ай бұрын
Hey Johnny! Love to see a fellow train lover on a trip! The timetable from 1963 doesn't seem very accurate. But that's the thing with trains. Innit? They take you down the memory lane 😊
@JohnnyHooverTravels 11 ай бұрын
Yes, I suppose they do! Thanks for watching 👍
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