Woody Bay
Status: Owned by the L&B Railway Trust
Woody Bay is the main operational base of the revived Lynton & Barnstaple Railway.
The station opened with the line on 11 May 1898, and closed along with the rest of the railway in 1935.
The site was bought by the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway Association (now the L&B Railway Trust) in 1995. It opened to the public in 2003. An "out and back" service as far as the missing bridge 67 began in 2004, and the railway was extended to Killington Lane in 2006.
Visitor Access
Visitors to Woody Bay are welcome whenever the site is open. For full details please see our homepage.
History
The station opened with the line on 11 May 1898, and closed along with the rest of the railway in 1935. It was known as Wooda Bay until the name was changed in 1901.
The station was equiped with a passing loop, a siding serving a coal yard, small stable, and a loading dock (which is still in place). There were also a small goods shed, which has now be rebuilt as vistor toilets and a staff mess room.
The station building was designed by Jones of Lynton in the Swiss chalety style, similar Blackmoor Gate, Lynton Station, and Lynton Town Hall. Like Blackmoor it included accomodation for the stationmaster and his family, comprising two small upstairs bedrooms, a parlour, and a small kitchen. The parlour is now in use as part of the shop. Visitor faciliies were relatively sparse, but lady passengers were provided with a dedicated waiting room (now our bookshop) and an inside lavatory. Gentlemen had to use the outside facilites, which have survived remarkably unchanged since 1898 - modern facilities are available for those who prefer them!
The coal yard remained open for many years after the railway closed, and the station building was converted to a holiday home. It was not equiped with electricity until taken over by the L&B Association in the 1990s.
A number of changes have been made from the 1935 condition, including the construction of a large workshop and a tearoom. A carriage shelter is scheduled for construction in 2025.
Signalling
Details coming Soon
