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First opened in 1862 when the line from Norton Fitzwarren to Watchet was opened, it was, until closure, a typical village station part way along a branch line.
For many years after re-opening in 1979, very little changed to the fabric of the Station - the canopy was rebuilt and the Goods Shed extended a little. But with the Station, being the southern terminus of the Railway, the passengers starting their journeys at Bishops Lydeard began to increase dramatically - the daily figures in summer probably greater than several months worth in the old days! First, a new ticket office and then a shop was constructed on the "up" platform which itself has been much lengthened to accommodate the longest trains, and, with the development of the area to the east, a new car park and toilet block constructed.
The Station is the headquarters of the West Somerset Railway Association. The "Quantock Belle" dining car train is also based here. A loco servicing depot is situated at the Taunton end of the Station.
The Taunton Model Railway Group have an extensive layout in the low building on the "down" platform, which is sometimes open to the public.
The old Goods Shed, used in the recent past for storage and carriage restoration, is now splendidly restored as a visitor centre - the Gauge Museum - with large and small exhibits and a model railway.
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• Routeplanner by road to Bishops Lydeard from
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· Bristol
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The village lies to the east within easy walking distance. There are three pubs, the "Lethbridge Arms", "Bird-in-Hand" and "The Bell", with good pub food available at all. The village church, St Mary's, is built in the local red sandstone, and has a particularly fine tower. Much of the older village, including the school, is also built in local stone. The industry of the past included farm machinery and clothing.
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Bishops Lydeard Station
