Travelling to Sheldon retreat centre

Sheldon by car

Click here for fully detailed printable directions. Don't leave home without it!

We have an electric vehicle (EV) charging point for use of guests (£15 per charge).

Our key advice to car drivers is to avoid approaching Sheldon via Haldon hill and Doddiscombsleigh village. These roads are narrow, rough and very steep in several places so are best avoided. Unfortunately most satnavs and route planning websites are not clever enough to realise this, so here's our advice for a smooth journey.

If you approach Sheldon via Exeter or the A30, take the B3212 through Longdown, turn left onto the B3193 and follow it South and then South East until you reach the Teign House Inn, turn left here and follow the road over a wide bridge then a narrow humped bridge and turn left onto Sheldon Lane. Click on the first map below for directions on google maps.

If you approach Sheldon via the Devon Expressway/A38, take the Chudleigh/Teign Valley turning, turn right and right again to follow the B3193 North until you reach the Teign House Inn, turn right here and follow the road over a wide bridge then a narrow humped bridge and turn left onto Sheldon Lane. Click on the second map below for directions on Google Maps.

Either route is okay coming from the M5, but the second (A38) one is the easier, especially after dark. 

Sheldon by public transport

• Train
• Coach
• Flying
• Taxi
• Bus

Train to Exeter

If you're coming to Exeter by train, the main rail station is Exeter St David's. 

(Mar 2022 Coming from London, there is the slow train from Waterloo which takes 3 ½ - 4 hours, or the fast train from Paddington which takes 2 - 2 ½ hours)

Coach to Exeter

Aug 2022: National Express Coaches and Megabus currently arrive and depart from Stover Court, Bampfylde Street next to Exeter bus station

Having reached Exeter you can get to Sheldon by Taxi or by Bus.

Flying to Exeter Airport

• Exeter airport is 30 mins away by car from Sheldon.
• Car rentals can be booked on the Exeter airport website.
• Click here for more information on Exeter taxis to and from the airport.
• Exeter St David's and Exeter Central train stations are about 7 miles by taxi / bus to the airport.
• The 56 bus service to Exeter City centre and railway stations. Click here for departure times to and from the airport.

Taxi to Sheldon

We recommend  Apple Taxis for the OUTWARD journey TO Sheldon.  Book your RETURN journey HOME via Sheldon's Reception using our collaboration form if you wish to be linked up with available shares. 

Always make sure to:

• NEVER pick up a taxi off the rank
• Check that you will be charged the quoted standard rate
• Check that the driver really has actually been to Sheldon before. If they have not check that they have the detailed instructions from the office.  
• Say to them “I am a guest to go to the Sheldon Centre in the Teign Valley. Please use the travel directions held on the company computer, and charge me the agreed tariff of £x.” 
• Notify us if you are given a driver who is not confident of the route - we always raise these with the company
• We recommend you print the directions and have them with you just in case

(Problems are rare, but we don't want you to have the stress of a poor journey here ...)

Apple Central Taxis
Meet your driver at the office in a small line of shops immediately opposite the Exeter St David’s Station exit.
Fixed pre-booked fare (Jun 2023) : £25 from Exeter  train station and £36 from the airport. 

Pre-payment by card required. 

Telephone 01392 666666.

http://appletaxisexeter.co.uk/

Christow Cars. This is our lovely local firm. We only recommend them for return journeys back into Exeter - book on our phone at Reception while you're at Sheldon.

(If you do want to contact them for your outward journey they are on 01647 252227, but make sure they take down your name and your mobile number, always confirm your booking by email to christowcars@yahoo.co.uk and remind them on your day of travel)

Apr 2022 : £22 from Exeter train station, £35 from Exeter airport and £110 from Bristol airport

Bus to Sheldon

The 360 bus operated by Country Bus.
Stagecoach South West number : 0345 810 1000 ( 7am - 10pm everyday).
Traveline number : 0871 200 2233 (7am - 9pm every day).
The journey takes about 40 minutes and the fare is £4.00 one way, £5.90 return (Jul 2022).

 The bus to departs from Sidwell Street (stop 40) 

Ask to be set down "at the end of the Sheldon lane" which is between the Nobody Inn and the Teign House Inn. Walk up the Sheldon lane - 5 - 10 minutes (unlit road - safe area but not recommended after dark nor after heavy rain as the road can be impassable without wellington boots)
If you get off at the Teign House Inn, walk back towards the Nobody Inn (signed Doddiscombsleigh) for about 1/3 mile - crossing over the River Teign and a steep bridge over the old railway. The lane has a clear "Sheldon" sign at the end.

On the return journey you can ask to be dropped at the Clock Tower at the end of Queen Street which is a 5 - 10 minute downhill walk to Exeter St David's.

Timetable weekdays and Saturday. Note: no service on Sundays.

Times checked Dec 2022 (note - there is no later bus back into Exeter)

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