Time to Explore Devil's Bridge on Vale of Rheidol Railway and first class

[Evansthomos]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to take the Vale of Rheidol Railway and will have about an hour at Devil's Bridge. Is that enough time to walk down the steps to see the bridge and take pictures from underneath and the side in pay section?

Additionally, I opted for a first-class ticket. Is the upgrade worth the extra cost for the journey to Devil's Bridge is worth it?

 

[John Luxton]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to take the Vale of Rheidol Railway and will have about an hour at Devil's Bridge. Is that enough time to walk down the steps to see the bridge and take pictures from underneath and the side in pay section?

Additionally, I opted for a first-class ticket. Is the upgrade worth the extra cost for the journey to Devil's Bridge is worth it?

I have had time to walk down from the station to the Hafod Arms and have a pint which is just before the bridge. As for first class, when I went in 2022 it was full, but I just turned up on spec off the Cambrian last summer and there were only two people in it so managed to get a ticket. Excellent quality accomodation as good as if not slightly better than the FWHR's Pullmans and I am a FWHR Societies memberThey could improve it a bit more by including some at seat refreshments in first. Hope to get back to VoR in the next few weeks before the main summer holiday season starts.

 

[Evansthomos]

I have had time to walk down from the station to the Hafod Arms and have a pint which is just before the bridge. As for first class, when I went in 2022 it was full, but I just turned up on spec off the Cambrian last summer and there were only two people in it so managed to get a ticket. Excellent quality accomodation as good as if not slightly better than the FWHR's Pullmans and I am a FWHR Societies memberThey could improve it a bit more by including some at seat refreshments in first. Hope to get back to VoR in the next few weeks before the main summer holiday season starts.

I will be go to vale of rheidol railway on 7 june so one week from now I hope it won't be busy ye refreshments seem nice to get do you think pay attractions down to see devil bridge worth it you have only couple minutes to see it quick pic then sight back on teain

 

[John Luxton]

I will be go to vale of rheidol railway on 7 june so one week from now I hope it won't be busy ye refreshments seem nice to get do you think pay attractions down to see devil bridge worth it you have only couple minutes to see it quick pic then sight back on teain

I have never been down beneath the bridge only to the bridge. Incidentally, the bridge and Hafod hotel featured in several episodes of the S4c/BBC Wales police drama y Gwyll / Hinterland. I also recall the Aberystwyth depot of the VoR making a brief appearance in one episode.

 

[Gloster]

I have a feeling that @Cowley asked the same question a couple of years ago.

 

[Cowley]

I have a feeling that @Cowley asked the same question a couple of years ago.

I did (well remembered @Gloster)!

Vale of Rheidol Railway

Afternoon folks. We’re hoping to have a ride on the line tomorrow afternoon and I was wondering if any of you had any advice on looking around the falls at Devils Bridge? Basically the afternoon train gives you an hour and fifteen minutes between arriving and returning. Here’s the times: I...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[Evansthomos]

ok

 

[topydre]

Yes there are 2 trails. One takes a advertised 15 minutes so definitely possible in the usual 1 hour slot before the train returns to Aberystwyth. The longer one (£4.50) is advertised as taking 45 mins - 1 hour but it depends how fast you walk and how long you want to take photos for. I recently caught the train back in pretty good time after doing the long walk, but I know the area and I'm a fast walker. Both are worth doing

 

[30907]

It's decades since I last did the trip but Ihr or 1h15 has been the standard layover time at Devil's Bridge since the year dot (though I've only checked 1958!) - I'm sure that was enough time!

 

[Llanigraham]

There are 2 walks at Devils Bridge allowing you see and photograph the bridge.

As you go over the Bridge there is a paydesk on the left that gives access to the long walk that goes down the Falls and then back up again, using MANY steps. They suggest this will take 45 minutes but that gives little time to take photos and also needs you to be quite fit as the steps are steep. From experience it can take at least another 30 minutes.

On the opposite side of the road, next to the shop, there is a turnstile that gives access to a much shorter and much less steep walk that leads to the up-stream side of the Bridge and to some spectacular formations warn by the waters and some good photos of the Bridges. This takes much less time.

Two Toots cafe at the station looks a bit rough and ready but does good cakes, especially the bara brith.