London to Ilfracombe train with Great Western Rail

Trains from London to Ilfracombe

The Great Western Railway from London to Ilfracombe in Devon is a popular one, with trains leaving London Paddington Station every hour from morning until evening to travel the average 3h 25min journey towards the Devon coast. The nearest train station to Ilfracombe is in the nearby town of Barnstable, 12.1 miles (19.5 km) from the seaside town of Ilfracombe. The 21A bus route runs from Barnstaple to Ilfracombe or you can take a taxi for the 20min car journey to the seaside town. Both these options depart from outside the train station in Barnstable. This is a common connection for anyone visiting the area and it is well serviced by public transport.

London to Ilfracombe Train Time: Daily Departures

There are trains from London Paddington to Barnstable near Ilfracombe every hour from early until evening. The first train is at 06:37 a.m. and the penultimate is at 06:04 p.m. There is a late last train leaving Paddington at 11:45 p.m. This is a sleeper train and you can book a private or semi-private cabin onboard. As well as lie flat beds, cabins include wardrobe space, charging points, a sink and secure key card locks. If you prefer to save on costs, there are regular seats available on the sleeper train also.

How long is the journey by train from London to Ilfracombe?

The train journey from London to Barnstable usually takes around 3h 25min. The onward journey to Ilfracombe by taxi will take around 20 min. Most of the trains are indirect, requiring one stop and some may have a wait of up to 2h between connections making the entire travel time from London to Ilfracombe to be around 6h 30min. Some passengers like to make the final leg of the journey by bike. If you want to bring your own bike on the train make sure and book a slot in the storage area when booking. They are limited to a small number of carriages and you won’t be able to store your bike in the space between carriages, so do plan ahead.

Ilfracombe Harbour. Source: Shutterstock

What is the departure and arrival station for trains from London to Ilfracombe?

Departure train station: London Paddington, which is a central London rail terminus linking the Great Western Railway and its routes with the capital. It is linked to the London Underground and easily accessible by public transport and taxis. Facilities include toilets, cafes and shops and is at the heart of London. It’s a very busy station so if you are travelling to connect with it from outside London then make sure and give yourself plenty of time to make the connection between stations in London or within Paddington itself.

Arrival train station: Barnstable. This neighbouring town is located around 12 miles (19 km) from Ilfracombe and is connected by bus or taxi. It is a small local station with basic facilities including toilets and waiting rooms. The 21A bus route runs from Barnstaple to Ilfracombe. Some visitors to Ilfracombe also choose to stop in the towns of Chapeltown or Umberly, which are also along the same route and are easily connected with Ilfracombe by public transport. The distances are slightly larger but this allows you to explore these towns on your way to your ultimate destination of Ilfracombe.

Which train companies travel from London to Ilfracombe?

Great Western Railways operates the London to Barnstaple route as part of its wider remit in the region. Owned by FirstGroup, it manages 197 stations along its routes between Devon and London and Devon and Wales.

Great Western Railways trains from London to Ilfracombe

Trains to Barnstable leave London Paddington to Ilfracombe hourly from 06:37 a.m. until 06:04 p.m. There is an additional sleeper service that departs Paddington at 11:45 p.m. Most trains have one change in Exeter St Davids, including the last train at 11:45 p.m. The journey duration is between 3h 25min and 6h 34min, depending on connections. Some of these transit times are as short as 10min while others can extend to around 2h so make sure and check the connection time while booking. If you are travelling with a family it might be difficult to make a 10min connection and a later or earlier train with more transit time might suit better.

Ilfracombe Panoramic View. Source: Shutterstock

Train London to Ilfracombe: Services on Board

The Great Western Railway line is one of the last UK providers to offer a Pullman restaurant car. It is available to all classes but only first-class passengers can book in advance. There is also a first-class lounge at Paddington Station. The train carries first-class, standard class and sleeper cars with cabins. There is free Wi-Fi onboard and a food trolley service, in addition to the restaurant car. There are toilets and baby changing facilities in most carriages.

The operator offers a Passenger Assist service for passengers with mobility issues, those who are hard of hearing or have other sensory issues. The GWR team will also help you make connections along the route. If you have an assistance dog it’s good to let the team know in advance so that they can help if needed. Assistance dogs are the only animals allowed in the restaurant car. To avail of any of these services simply inform the Passenger Assist team at least 6h before your departure.

Apart from assistance animals, each passenger can take up to two small pets on board for free. Dogs need to be on a lead at all times and other small animals need to be in a rigid pet carrier. If you have more animals you will need to pay half the adult fare.

How to find cheap train tickets from London to Ilfracombe?

Booking in advance is the best way to get cheaper train tickets from London to Ilfracombe along this line. It’s a popular route and the fares increase closer to the travel date. If you are taking the sleeper train you can get a great night's sleep without booking a cabin. The seats in standard class are a very comfortable, airline-type design. Being flexible around dates also helps. As the route leads to a tourist destination, the tickets can be cheaper midweek.

If you are travelling with your family you can make great savings with a family ticket. This covers a family of two adults and up to three children under the age of 15. All children under the age of five go free. The number of family tickets are limited so make sure and book early and grab them when you get the chance.

To Ilfracombe by train - travel tips

Ilfracombe is a great location to explore the Devon coastline and the rest of the region. It is a small historical town well-known for its picturesque setting and pastel coloured houses. It has many cultural attractions, including the Damien Hirst statue entitled Verity that stands guard over the harbour.

There are nature reserves and historic woodland and parkland to explore, as well as numerous small coves and beaches. The seafront of the town has an elegant promenade with cafes, restaurants, bars and galleries to visit. Make sure and check out the Victorian bathing pools at the Tunnel Beaches that are tucked away at the end of tunnels that were carved by Welsh miners in the early 1800s.