Where could be better for an outdoor writer to live than in the Southwest of England? With two coastlines, two National Parks and all the beaches, hills and footpaths you could ever want, Devon has to be the perfect location for outdoor adventures. Especially if, like me, you want your adventures to be by train.

I live in Torbay, and in a few minutes from my doorstep I can be hiking the South West Coastal Path, swimming from beautiful beaches or paddling my kayak to hidden bays. But I spend as much of my time as possible on Dartmoor; wild camping, river dipping or exploring new hiking routes. And as if that wasn’t enough, I live just a short train ride away from Cornwall’s coastal and countryside delights.

Visitors to the UK must be delighted to find so many stunning holiday locations along a main line train route from London. In just over five hours, travellers from London Paddington can be walking along the beach in Penzance. But there are plenty of other stations suitable for outdoor fun along the way.

Ivybridge station sits happily on the south edge of Dartmoor, Totnes station is a stone’s throw from the River Dart and the railway between Dawlish and Teignmouth runs right next to the beach. And that’s not to mention Devon and Cornwall’s fascinating branch lines.

Truro to Falmouth, St Erth to St Ives, Exeter to Okehampton, Liskeard to Looe and Exeter to Barnstaple. The list of train adventure opportunities in Devon and Cornwall is seemingly endless. And even better than that, when you arrive by train, you won’t have to deal with holiday traffic queues or overcrowded car parks.

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