• The Model Railway Shop

    The Model Railway Shop is open
    Monday to Saturday 10.00am – 4.30pm

    Pecorama & Exhibition

    Monday Closed
    Tuesday Closed
    Wednesday 10.00am-4.00pm
    Thursday 10.00am-4.00pm
    Friday 10.00am-4.00pm
    Saturday 10.00am-4.00pm
    Sunday Closed
  • DIRECTIONS TO EX12 3NA

    BY CAR:

    Follow the brown official tourist board direction signs indicated with a train symbol for ‘Pecorama Pleasure Gardens’ from the A3052 towards Beer.

    BY BUS:

    For full details please telephone Devon Bus Service on (01392) 382800, or Traveline on 0871 200 22 33.

    BY TRAIN:

    The nearest train station to Pecorama is Axminster, on the West of England main line.

  • Information Line

    Should there be anything you would like to enquire about you can call on 01297 626204 or e-mail us at info@pecorama.co.uk

  • Check the weather

    The weather is looking lovely all week!

  • TRIPADVISOR

The BHLR

The Beer Heights Light Railway

Considered by many to be the finest 7¼ inch gauge railway in Britain, the Beer Heights Light Railway (BHLR) first opened to the public on the 14 July 1975. Given the location of Pecorama, high on the hillside above the village of Beer, a ride on the railway offers wonderful views over Lyme Bay and along the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to the distant Portland Bill.

Having been gradually extended over the years, the line forms a complex, convoluted circuit now one mile in length. Passenger trains start and finish at the terminus of Much Natter Station, just inside the main Garden entrance. The route starts off through the formal gardens, includes many bridges, extensive sidings and a lengthy tunnel. Following this, the train seems to go out into the countryside and passes the new Deepwater station. Here passengers may choose to alight to enjoy the tranquillity of Lake Charlotte, the beautiful wildlife pond in Wildway Park, where there is also a nature walk and fitness trail. The train then passes a branch line which zig-zags down very steep gradients to the Beer Mine.

At the very busiest times, train services can involve running up to three passenger trains and four locomotives at once. Smooth and safe operation is assured by the fully automatic, fail-safe signalling system which utilises both colour light and traditional semaphore signals. Much of the railway’s extensive fleet of locomotives and rolling stock is based on British narrow gauge railway practice such as the well-known ‘Great Little Trains of Wales’, but one-third of the size!

The Orion Pullman Carriage

Standing in the siding at Beer Victoria Station is the beautifully preserved Orion Pullman Car, part of the Golden Arrow trains that ran from Victoria Station to the coast in the 1950's.

Having been saved from scrappage by Pecorama, Orion was restored by highly skilled craftsmen, at the British Rail Works in Wolverton, where the Royal Train had been maintained. Here the vehicle was repainted in the distinguished umber and cream Pullman livery, reinstating the elaborate lining and coat of arms that adorned these cars in years gone by. The interior, while retaining all the beauty of the original brass decoration and polished woodwork, has been completely refurbished by local craftsmen to include individual seating, an entirely redesigned kitchen and drinks dispensary.

It was in January of 1978 that the 40-ton coach was transported an arduous 250 miles by road to the Pecorama site. It now stands majestically at rest adjoining Beer Victoria, a full-sized replica station platform.

For many years, this 1951-built Pullman Car Orion made regular journeys between London Victoria and the Channel Ports, as part of the prestigious ‘Golden Arrow’ luxury train.

The Pullman Carriage is available for private hire for up to 24 people in the main saloon (with a further 4 catered for in the Coupe) and can provide you with a unique experience at attractive rates to suit your needs.

Depending on your requirements and the date of your event, catering can be in-house or supplied by outside caterers of your own choosing.

Please contact us for further details with your requirements at info@pecorama.co.uk  and one of our team will call you back to discuss all the options.

Model Railway Exhibition

Our recently renovated model railway exhibition will be entering its 50th year this 2024 season!

As you enter Pecorama, the Model Railway Exhibition and Model Shop welcome you to the home of the famous PECO brand of model railways, one of the last major model railway production facilities left in the UK. The factory, alongside Pecorama, produces a countless variety of items for the enthusiast every day, utilising modern specialist machinery with highly skilled local labour.

Since railways fascinate many adults and children alike, it is not surprising that such a large number of homes already have a model railway. Some enthusiasts are deterred from the hobby in the belief that they would need more space. However, our Model Railway Exhibition aims to inspire modellers by demonstrating a variety of practical small layouts to suit every home – with options for both indoors and out. All boast an impressive amount of detail and even those who don’t model will marvel at the craftwork involved. Many of the layouts have interactive features.