Great Western Hotel holds the distinguished honor of being the first Paignton hotel to feature an extensive railway collection, making us a unique destination for railway enthusiasts and history lovers visiting the English Riviera.
Built in 1864 during the golden age of railway expansion, Great Western Hotel was perfectly positioned to welcome the first wave of tourists arriving via the newly constructed railway line to Paignton. Our hotel's very existence is intertwined with the story of how the railway opened up Devon's beautiful coastline to Victorian travelers.
Our passion for railway heritage is evident throughout the hotel. We house one of the finest collections of model railways, steam engines, ships, and vintage toys to be found anywhere in Paignton:
Located just an 8-minute walk from our hotel, the Paignton & Dartmouth Steam Railway continues to operate heritage steam services through some of Devon's most beautiful countryside. Our guests often begin their day with breakfast at our hotel before walking to the station for their steam railway adventure.
Railway societies and individual enthusiasts regularly choose our hotel for several reasons:
We offer tailored experiences for railway enthusiasts, including combination packages with steam railway tickets, private viewing of our collection, and specialized group rates for railway societies.
Whether you're a serious railway historian or simply love the romance of the steam age, Great Western Hotel offers an authentic connection to Devon's magnificent railway heritage. Book your railway adventure today and experience where Victorian railway tourism began in Paignton.
