Old Broadclyst Station

The Victorian railway station sits quietly just outside Exeter, a proper time capsule of the Victorian era that most visitors drive straight past. Old Broadclyst Station is the genuine article - a working heritage railway stop with original period architecture that hasn't been tarted up or over-interpreted. You get a real sense of what rail travel felt like in the 1880s, from the booking office to the platform itself.

Walking around takes maybe forty minutes if you're not in a rush, longer if you actually catch a train on the heritage line. The station building itself is the star turn - all red brick and wrought iron, with period details that matter to railway enthusiasts and anyone who likes authentic Victoriana. It's free to wander the platforms and have a look around, though rides on the heritage trains cost extra and do need booking ahead.

If you're staying at Castle Brake Holiday Park or Cuckoo Down Farm Glamping nearby, this makes a cracking half-day out, especially with older kids or anyone obsessed with railways. Younger children might find it a bit static unless you're timing it to catch an actual train journey. The real appeal is for adults who appreciate the craftsmanship and authenticity - no Disney-fication here, just a station that's been doing its job for well over a century.