Closed in 1971 by British Rail the line was re-opened in stages between 1976 and 1979 and now carries over 200,000 passengers per year. It won a hat trick of "Railway of the Year" awards in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

The line leaves Bishops Lydeard and climbs through the Quantock Hills to Crowcombe Heathfield station, a remote spot used in the films "A Hard Days Night" and "The Land Girls" and now popular with walkers in the Quantock Hills. From here the train descends through Stogumber (a country walk from its village) to Williton.

Williton station stands on the edge of the town it has served since 1862 and about 35 minutes walk from the fascinating Bakelite Museum. The station area is home to the Diesel and Electric Preservation Group who restores and maintains a fleet of diesel locomotives dating from the 1950s and 60s and also to the restoration sheds of the West Somerset Railway Association.

On leaving Williton trains pass through Doniford Halt and into the old harbour town of Watchet, which still retains its narrow streets and small shops although the harbour is now a successful marina. The town museum (open Easter to October) traces the long history of this old Saxon town.

The Railway then turns inland again and climbs to Washford where the station is home to the Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust and houses their Museum (01984 640869). Washford also serves Cleeve Abbey and the traditional cider farm at Torre. The line descends and returns to the coast at Blue Anchor being taking a run across Ker Moor to Dunster.

It is about a 20 minutes walk from the station to this medieval village with its Castle, Priory and picturesque main street. A final run past the Butlin Holiday Centre brings the train into Minehead where the terminus station is on the edge of the town centre and with the beach just over the road.

Minehead is the start point of the South West Coast Path and a "gateway" town for the beauties of Exmoor.

John Simms
West Somerset Railway