Lappa Valley Welcomes New Station with a Sub-Tropical Twist

Photo: Lappa Valley Owner Keith Southwell and Trebah Gardens CEO Jon Cummins pose with The Duke, one of the locomotives which works the Newlyn Downs Branchline.

In a significant development for Cornwall’s tourism and leisure sector, Lappa Valley, acclaimed winners of the Large Tourist Attraction of the Year at the Cornwall Tourism Awards, announced the opening of their new station, Trebah Halt, on Thursday, 28 March.

This unveiling marks the first new station at Lappa Valley in almost three decades, introducing a sub-tropical theme in collaboration with Trebah Garden, another jewel in Cornwall’s tourist crown.

A Unique Collaboration

The opening of Trebah Halt is a highlight in Lappa Valley’s 50th-anniversary celebrations. It represents a unique collaboration between two of Cornwall’s leading attractions, bringing a slice of Trebah Garden’s renowned sub-tropical ambience to the heart of Lappa Valley. This new station offers visitors a fresh experience, blending the enchantment of train travel with the exotic appeal of sub-tropical flora, just in time for the Easter holidays.

Keith, owner of Lappa Valley, expressed his excitement about the project, stating, “This is the first new platform to open at Lappa Valley in nearly 30 years, so we felt it’s important to do something special.” He thanked Jon, Darren, and their team at Trebah Garden for their support and collaboration, noting the mutual benefits of promoting both attractions to visitors.

Photo: (L to R) Darren Dickey – Head Gardener, Trebah Garden; Jon Cummins – CEO Trebah Garden; Sara Southwell – Owner Lappa Valley; Ben Harding – Operations Manager Lappa Valley; Keith Southwell – Owner Lappa Valley celebrating the completion of the new Trebah Halt, with the imposing East Wheal Rose Engine House in the background.

Trebah Garden’s Contribution

Jon, CEO of Trebah Garden, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting the opportunity to bring a piece of Trebah’s unique garden landscape to Lappa Valley. “To be able to share some special plants from Trebah and bring some of the sub-tropical look and feel of one of Cornwall’s great gardens to Lappa as a much-loved family attraction in north Cornwall was an idea we couldn’t pass up,” he remarked.

A New Chapter Begins

The first train to Trebah Halt is scheduled to leave Lappa Valley’s Benny Halt at 10:30 am on Thursday, 28 March 2024. This new development is not just an addition to Lappa Valley’s already rich offering but also a testament to the collaborative spirit among Cornwall’s top attractions. As visitors board the train to Trebah Halt, they embark on more than just a journey between stations; they venture into a unique blend of Cornwall’s industrial heritage and its natural beauty, enriched by the shared vision of two of its most cherished attractions.