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Watchet Station was the original terminus of the West Somerset Railway, at the end of the fourteen mile line from Norton Fitzwarren opened in 1862. This explains the rather odd position of the main station building set at right angles to the line. Before the line was extended to Minehead in 1874, by an "end-on" junction, the station forecourt stretched right across to the goods shed with railings where there is now railway track. The footbridge (the only one on the line) was added later to maintain the public right of way.
The harbour was connected to the "main line" by a steep incline up to the goods shed, and the whole area was once a hive of activity. The signal box was built into the bank behind the platform, and was quite lofty so as to give a good view of the harbour lines.
To the east of the platform is Govier's Crossing, once protected by a gong sounded at the approach of a train, but now this job is done by mini red and green lights to warn pedestrians.
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• Watchet and surrounding area...
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Watchet has quite a history as one might expect from an old harbour town. The Museum near the harbour is well worth a visit. A stroll along the West Pier, the modern version of many that went before, enables good views of the coast east and west, and south to the town itself. An excellent resource is the Watchet Tourist Office website...
The harbour was in commercial use until just a few years ago, with quite large ships coming in on the high tide to tie up at the East Wharf. Pleasure steamers still visit the harbour from time to time.
There is the Market House Museum, near the harbour, a friendly little museum full of things to see including collections of fossils, maritime and railway items. The Watchet Boat Museum is also worth a look. It is within the old goods shed next to the station.
Watchet has many shops to browse in, and pubs and cafes for refreshments. Pick up a book about the local history as there is far too much to include here...
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Watchet Station
