Routes of Remembrance: special trains from the South West travel to London
The Mayor of Penzance joined armed forces charities at 5am to send wreaths on the ‘Poppies to Paddington’ train
Last updated 11th Nov 2025
Acts of Remembrance began early in Penzance on Armistice Day, as wreaths were laid on the first train out of the town to London as part of the Routes of Remembrance initiative.
The Mayor of Penzance joined armed forces charities at 5am to send wreaths on the ‘Poppies to Paddington’ train, with hundreds more joining from across the country before arriving at Paddington Station for a special service.
It's an initiative which began in 2020—at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The initiative was so successful that The Veterans Charity expanded it in 2021 to become Routes of Remembrance, involving rail, ferry and air operators across the UK in transporting wreaths, many of which ended up in London on November 11.
Routes of Remembrance now sees journeys across around the world, all carrying the message of honouring those who have served.
This year, remembrance poppy wreaths will travel from towns in the South West and South Wales to London Paddington for a special service.
The first train set off from Penzance Station at 5.03am.
Joined by others at stations along the route, the wreaths laid on the ‘Poppies to Paddington’ train in Penzance will be making their way to the iconic Paddington Station War Memorial in time for 11am.
Cllr Stephen Reynolds, Mayor of Penzance, said: “It’s always an honour to take part in this wonderful initiative, and once again I would like to thank The Veterans Charity and the railway staff at GWR for bringing together all the communities on one of the world’s most famous railway lines in this symbolic act of remembrance.”
On 9 November, Remembrance Sunday was marked in Penzance with a parade and service organised by Penzance Council. People gathered at the War Memorial at Battery Rocks to remember those from the parish who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Remembrance Sunday Services were also held in Newlyn, Mousehole, Paul, Heamoor and Gulval to remember the service and sacrifice of all those from the parish. Penzance Council would like to thank everyone who was involved in organising these events, as well as those who attended.
You can check departure times and routes online at Routes of Remembrance – Poppies to Paddington 2025 - on their Facebook page.
