Newton Abbot station in South Devon dates back to 1846 and transformed this sleepy market town, mostly trading in leather and wool, into an industry hub with a timber yard and brass foundry - as well as terraced streets to house the workers - at its heart. The rail industry itself also bought prosperity as the station was home to the South Devon Railway and later British Railways locomotive works until its closure in 1981. The present day structure was built in 1926, when the people of the town financed the large clock at the front of the building.
The station is situated at the east end of Queen Street, a short distance from the town centre with numerous retail outlets, cafes and pubs nearby. Tucker's Maltings, the only traditional malt house in Great Britain open to the public, is also a two-minute walk away. Each September, Newton Abbot holds an historic Cheese and Onion Fayre in honour of Saint Leonard, but if you're not a cheese lover, the town also has a rich history of stock car racing that might appeal.