You’re sure of a big surprise if you come along to the South Devon Railway on Friday 30th May – as long as you bring a teddy bear with you!

That’s because teddy bears (and their owners, and their owners’ mums and dads) are being treated to a special Teddy Bears’ Picnic train between Buckfastleigh, Totnes and back with lots of fun and plenty to keep even the fussiest teddy bear entertained!

The special steam train leaves Buckfastleigh at 1.00pm on Friday 30th May and every child who brings their teddy bear with them will receive a tasty free lunch box to eat on the train, while adults will be able to enjoy a free hot drink.

The train ride to Totnes takes about half an hour and, upon arrival, all travellers (human and bear) are invited to cross the line over to the award winning Totnes Rare Breeds Farm and its wonderful collection of friendly animals and birds.

There, a special ‘Bear Hunt’ has been laid on and teddy bears have been hidden all over the site and each one is waiting to be discovered!

Later the train will take bears, children and adults back to Buckfastleigh, along the scenic seven mile branch that hugs the River Dart for virtually the whole of the line’s length.

Back at Buckfastleigh station, there is a riverside walk, play area, museum, shop, refreshment rooms and plenty to see. The viewing gallery to the engineering workshops will be open, where historic steam locomotives can be seen being restored and rebuilt.

Dartmoor Otters & Buckfast Butterflies is also open, where visitors can see tropical butterflies in natural surroundings and even meet otters from all over the world.

Tickets cost £17.40 for an adult and £15 for a child - which includes the child’s lunch box - and the train ride and entry to the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm, plus free hot drink for adults from the Buffet. A family ticket for two adults and two children costs £60.00.

Buckfastleigh station has plenty of free car parking. It is just off the A38 trunk road, midway between Exeter and Plymouth and 25 minutes from Torbay.

For further details and to make bookings, call 01364 644370 or go to www.southdevonrailway.co.uk More details of the event will be posted onto the SDR Facebook and Twitter pages.