Flooding Limits Access to Popular Destinations in Southwest England
Persistent flooding across Devon and Cornwall continues to complicate travel for visitors moving through the southwest of England, after consecutive storms brought days of heavy rain in late January. Rail operators have confirmed that large parts of the regional network remain unusable, affecting both local connections and longer distance journeys. For travellers, the disruption goes beyond missed trains, reshaping how destinations across the region can be reached in the coming days.
Several scenic branch lines popular with visitors are currently closed, cutting off rail access to parts of Devon and Cornwall. The suspended routes include:
- Exeter St Davids to Barnstaple, serving North Devon
- Exeter St Davids to Okehampton via Crediton
- Liskeard to Looe
- Par to Newquay
With flooded roads preventing replacement bus services, travellers have no rail based alternatives on these routes and should avoid planning journeys through these areas for now.
“Given the scale of the flooding, disruption is expected for the next few days on the branch lines. Our teams will prioritise reopening the main line between Taunton and Exeter St Davids as soon as they are able to do so. Please continue to check before travelling for the latest updates."
How flooding Is affecting travel plans
The main rail corridor between Taunton and Exeter St Davids is also affected, further limiting access to the region. Floodwater near Hele has halted train services, with only a small number of replacement buses operating under difficult road conditions. Travellers may find that journeys take longer than planned, with fewer available connections and some trips requiring changes to accommodation, especially on routes between London and parts of Devon and Cornwall.
Travellers heading to Devon and Cornwall are finding it helpful to build more flexibility into their plans and allow extra time throughout their journeys. Regularly checking travel updates before departure, leaving wider gaps between connections, and planning for the possibility of an overnight stay may make trips easier to manage. Travellers with short breaks or day trips planned may find it more practical to delay travel until conditions across the region improve.
This disruption is a reminder that extreme weather can quickly change travel across the region. Until floodwater clears and safety checks are completed, rail services are likely to remain uncertain. In response to ongoing disruption, some visitors are already changing routes, pushing trips back, or adjusting itineraries to fit current conditions.