The Looe Valley Line

The next station on the line is possibly the most well known of the intermediate stations, Coombe Junction Halt! One of only two stations in the UK with the word Halt in the station name. Now Coombe Junction Halt in my opinion is overrated. Most enthusiasts like the station due to the actual junction I think. The junction is a delight to watch, it's something straight out of the 19th century where the guard has to get off the train and manually switch the tracks. Bonkers that this still happens in 2025!

Coombe Junction Halt station has a nice hut and bench and very short platform. I have visited the station more than once, including during the great snow storms of March 2018! Coombe Junction Halt only sees two trains a day calling at the station. The rest of the services just reverse at the junction further down the line and don't go as far as the platform.

Photos of Coombe Junction Halt

All photos © Every Last Station. Reuse only by permission.

The next station down the line from Coombe Junction Halt is St Keyne Wishing Well Halt, yes the other station with Halt in the title. St Keyne Wishing Well Halt is possibly my favourite station name in the UK. It just rolls of the tongue with ease. A station that in many ways was my first experience of the Looe Valley Line. The first time I visited Cornwall for my Every last Station project was in March 2018 and was when the county got hit by a huge snow storm! I arrived into Liskeard where I was staying. The next morning it was announced by GWR no services would be operating in Cornwall. So that meant that no trains was running on the Looe Valley Line. So I decided to walk to a couple of stations on the Looe line as there was a chance to get some photos not many others will have. 

Photos of St Keyne Wishing Well Halt

All photos © Every Last Station. Reuse only by permission.

Next up is my favourite station. Not just on the Looe Valley Line, but in the whole of the UK! Causeland for me is just brilliant! I mean absolutely brilliant. I love nothing more than sitting at the station and hearing nothing but birds and the wildlife. Many would ask why is it my favourite, and my answer is it's hard to explain. But go and visit it and you will then understand why! It might not be your favourite, but you will then understand why it is mine! The photos below don't do it justice, but please, when you visit the line, don't worry about Coombe Junction Halt, visit Causeland! Please, you won't regret it! 

Photos of Causeland

All photos © Every Last Station. Reuse only by permission.

A short distance away is Sandplace. Another nice station. To be honest I have visited this station quite a bit, and every time I have visited it has been because I have been to Causeland and I have walked to the next one down the line as it is quite a nice walk. Sandplace is also served by buses that run between Looe and Liskeard. So if you are ticking off stations then this is handy. Although to be honest there is no need for this as it's achievable just by using trains and taking some walks. I'll be honest, I have nothing more to really say about Sandplace. It is pretty, but in my opinion it is quite meh. Maybe this is because it is the next station after Causeland!

Photos of Sandplace

All photos © Every Last Station. Reuse only by permission.

Last and by no means least on the line is Looe it self! The station itself is set on the edge of the East Looe River with views from the platform looking out over the river. The main thing about the station is that it gives you access to the amazing town of Looe. A beautiful town to explore. Some might recognise the town as it is currently the setting for the BBC drama Beyond Paradise. Although in the program it is called Shipton Abbot and is meant to be in Devon.

Photos of Looe

All photos © Every Last Station. Reuse only by permission.

If anyone wants to visit the line then might I suggest using the below plan. I think it allows the best to see what the stations have to offer and see some of the beautiful countryside as well as allowing some time to have a look around the beautiful town of Looe and grab some fish & chips or a good old pub lunch! The plan also allows for your accommodation to be located anywhere between Penzance & Exeter, you could even stay in Bristol as long as you don't mind a 0640 start and 2 and half hours on a voyager. My recommendation for accommodation is: Rail Holiday at St. Germans, The Tamar Belle at Bere Ferrers, Bay Lodge at Penzance.

Goes without saying to check GWR Journey Check before you set off on your trip!

I hope you have enjoyed this trip down the beautiful Looe Valley Line. If you have enjoyed this read and find any of it useful or inspiring please consider putting a tip in the virtual pot: ko-fi.com/everylaststation . All contributions go towards keeping this site alive.

Many thanks

Stuart