An unofficial website featuring the West Somerset Railway

Ten stations spaced out along the length of the Minehead Branch all the way from the Vale of Taunton Deane to the Bristol Channel coast.

All but a couple of stations have something of gardening interest, and one or two are simply a must to visit. Entrance is gained either by platform ticket (20p or so each!) or free. Donations are always welcomed. Car parking is free to visitors and passengers (except at Minehead where there is a Council car park next door, and at Doniford, which has no parking at all), and all are accessible to wheelchairs. You could, of course, hop on a passing steam train to get to the next station.

Blue Anchor and Washford each have well-stocked museums, Bishops Lydeard a visitor centre, and Dunster's waiting room is simply a time-warp. The maritime environment of the coastal stations adds interest, and the soils range from limestones through sandstones, to clay. Wildlife is very present - deer can be seen at Crowcombe when things quieten down; swallows at Washford; buzzards at Stogumber; primroses everywhere; and orchids on the grassy embankments.

Many station buildings date from mid-1850 to early-1870 and built in the lovely warm red sandstone quarried locally, and are often 'listed' buildings. All have been lovingly restored by volunteers over many years years, along with the station platforms and gardens - all well worth a good browse. If the gardeners are present, they will enjoy a good old chin-wag about anything from gardening to trains to the weather!

Refreshments can be obtained at Bishops Lydeard and Minehead, and at other stations from time to time. Toilets at most stations - some modern, some are almost antiques! The Railway runs on most days throughout the summer, and the Stations are usually open most weekends throughout the year.

The Stations...