Access
Here at the Bodmin Railway we’re pleased to welcome every one of our visitors, irrespective of age, gender, sexuality or disability. We are committed to making every visit to the railway as enjoyable as possible, and we hope that you will find all the information you need to make your visit a day out to be remembered. If you can’t find the information you need on this page, then please get in touch with us.
We recommend Bodmin General Station as the best starting point for all visits.
Parking
Free parking for mobility impaired passengers is available on the forecourt at Bodmin General, immediately at the front of the station, with level access through the booking hall and onto the platform.
Bodmin General is our only station with parking. There is no road access to Boscarne Junction station, and parking at Bodmin Parkway station is normally restricted to passengers travelling on the main line railway network.
Toilets
There are toilets on the platform at Bodmin General Station, including a wheelchair accessible toilet and baby changing facilities. There are toilets on board the trains, although the majority of our carriages retain their original 1950’s features and are fitted with traditional narrow doors; access to these is not possible in a wheelchair. There are no toilet facilities at Boscarne Junction Station. There are toilets at Bodmin Parkway Station – please see further details about access at Bodmin Parkway below.
Baby changing facilities
There are baby changing facilities at Bodmin General Station.
We welcome pushchairs on to the train, however due to the historic nature of the carriages, such as narrow doors etc, they would need to be left in the guards compartment where they will be kept safe until your departure. A member of BR staff will gladly assist you with this.
Audio
The Booking Office is fitted with an induction hearing loop.
Passengers with limited mobility
Access to Bodmin General station and the platform is level, however our historic railway carriages are restored to reflect their original construction, and therefore access while boarding the train is via stepping up to board from the platform and down to alight.
Passengers who are sufficiently mobile are welcome to travel in any part of the train, with their wheelchair stored elsewhere on the train or at Bodmin General Station. Please check the availability of this accommodation in advance and see details of wheelchair access below.
Wheelchair access
On board: Facilities for wheelchair user visitors are available on the majority of our daytime trains, with a ramp to ease boarding from the platform. Up to two wheelchairs can be accommodated at any one time, but we advise checking availability in advance.
The majority of our carriages were built in the 1950s and, whilst fitted with toilets, access to them is unfortunately not possible in a wheelchair as they are fitted with traditional narrow doors.
On our special event trains (for which pre-booking for all passengers is required) wheelchair accommodation is sometimes available. Murder Mystery specials unfortunately do not have accommodation for wheelchair users. Please contact us to discuss your access requirements before booking.
At Bodmin General: There is level access from the station forecourt, into the booking hall (from where your train tickets are purchased) and onto the platform for wheelchairs. There is a wheelchair accessible toilet at the station.
The Coffee Shop and Gift Shop have level or ramped access from the platform and can all be accessed by a standard-width wheelchair, although circulation/turning space is rather limited.
Colesloggett Halt: This is a very rural station, to which access can only be gained on foot via a rough track/ footpath. Access by wheelchairs is not recommended.
Boscarne Junction: Access to the platform is via a ramp off the Camel Trail. The Trail can be used by wheelchairs, but the nearest car park is approximately ½-mile away from the station (adjacent to The Borough Arms public house, just off the main A389 Bodmin-Wadebridge road at Dunmere). The station waiting room, which is open when daytime trains are operating, can be accessed by wheelchairs. There are no toilet facilities at the station.
Bodmin Parkway
This is a station on the main line railway network (between Plymouth and Penzance), operated by Great Western Railway, to which Bodmin Railway trains have exclusive access rights to Platform 3.
Access between the main line platforms, from the car park to the BR platform, and from the platform to inside our Buffet and the GWR ticket office is normally via a footbridge, which has steps. Unfortunately, there is no access for passengers with restricted mobility, or passengers who use wheelchairs to join our serves at Bodmin Parkway. We recommend Bodmin General as the best starting point for your visit.
Autism Friendly
The BR support the National Autistic Society Cornwall (NAS Cornwall) in their quest to make Bodmin Cornwall’s first Autism friendly town.
There are often loud noises at the station, as you would expect when our steam trains are running, but we are happy to email more information about what to expect in advance of your visit, just get in touch.
If there’s anything else we can do to make your visit more comfortable and enjoyable, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Dietary Requirements
With advance notice, we are able to cater for visitors with most dietary requirements, including gluten free, dairy free and vegan, in our coffee shops and on-board catering. Please contact us in advance of your visit to discuss your requirements.
Fares
On our daytime trains we offer our concessionary rate to disabled passengers and a discounted ticket for carers, to those who require support to visit the railway. Please note carers will need to show proof of valid ID – you can find out what ID we accept on our FAQ page here.
Assistance Dogs
We welcome assistance dogs in all our carriages and station buildings. No charge is made, though we ask that dogs are kept on a lead and on the floor, keeping the central aisles and corridors clear.
BR Team
Our team of staff and volunteers are always happy to provide help and assistance whenever we can. If you have any questions as to how we can help you further, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will do our best to help you to plan your visit – telephone us on 01208 73555.