West Somerset Railway Trail of Discovery

A group of members from the Arts Society Taunton enjoyed a day in July travelling on the heritage steam trains of the West Somerset Railway.  Our original date in June was unfortunately cancelled because Netflix was filming at various stations along the line (look out for The Seven Dials Mystery with Helena Bonham-Carter and Martin Freeman next year).  However we were lucky to be able to reschedule. The day began at Bishops Lydeard with a talk by Chris Austin of the West Somerset Heritage Trust in the Gauge Museum on the history of the railway. Once under way, there was the chance to visit Minehead at the end of the line, as well as Watchet on our return to view the harbour, museums and gallery and the day ended with an excellent cream tea on the train. 

Stafford Taylor, a member of The Arts Society Taunton, has created a Trail of Discovery along the West Somerset Railway. Using the trail as you travel from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead, you can discover the art, heritage and culture of this old Great Western Railway branch line. It was a victim of Beeching but re-opened in the 1970s and is kept going by 900 volunteers and 50 paid staff.  You can enjoy a nostalgic and relaxed ride through lovely countryside, study the railway’s preserved industrial heritage, or stop and visit historic places such as the harbour town of Watchet that can be easily accessed from its stations.

Download the trail here