Visit West Somerset Railway - Minehead, West Somerset

Running over 20 miles of line a journey on the West Somerset Railway is a relaxing step back in time and a delightful evocation of the age of the bygone days of travel by steam train.

West Somerset Railway trains run between Bishops Lydeard (four miles from the county town of Taunton) and Minehead, making their way through the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that is the Quantock Hills and along the Bristol Channel Coast.

Along the way there are various historic sites. Crowcombe Heathfield station is where scenes from the Beatles’ “A Hard Days Night” were filmed whilst the old harbour town of Watchet has a history dating back into Saxon times and still boasts narrow streets, local shops and places to eat and drink as well as two Museums. Alight at Washford station for the walks to Cleeve Abbey and Torre Cider Farm or continue to Dunster station for the medieval village dominated by the Castle but also boasting a working water mill, the old Yarn Market building and the Dolls Museum amongst the attractions. And at Minehead the beach is literally across the road from the station whilst a left turn takes you into the town centre.

The West Somerset Railway also offers many combined packages including the “Dunster Castle Express”, “Abbey and Apple Experience”, “Meet and Greet Days” with children's favourite characters and annual “Days Out With Thomas” weekends.

Railway enthusiasts are catered for by Steam Galas in March and October and a vintage diesel weekend at the start of June whilst each September the line hosts the annual Somerset CAMRA Real Ale and Cider Festival. Seasonal trains runs in December including Santas, Sherry and Mince Pie Specials and Carol Trains.