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The M5 Motorway passes by Taunton.  To reach the West Somerset Railway leave the M5 at Junction 25 (Taunton) and follow signs for Minehead (there are also brown tourist signs for the Railway itself but following the signs for Minehead works as well) until you are approaching Bishops Lydeard. DO NOT GO INTO THE VILLAGE. Remain on the by-pass until you see signs directing you to the Railway and also the village of Halse. Turn left here and Bishops Lydeard station is directly in front of you behind the Broad Gauge Industrial Park.  There is a large free car park at Bishops Lydeard Station.
Please note that from Junction 25 to Bishops Lydeard Station is a journey of around 6 miles and that Taunton can be very busy with traffic.
Alternatively if approaching from the north you can leave the M5 at Junction 24 (Bridgwater) and follow the A39 towards Minehead. The A39 crosses the West Somerset Railway at Williton station and if you wish to join the Railway there take the first right turn after crossing the line. This takes you into Station Road and to the station. Note that car parking at Williton is limited.
From the south it is possible to leave the M5 at Wellington (Junction 26) and follow the A38 to the edge of Taunton. After passing the Stonegallows Inn you will descend a hill, past Taunton Crematorium on your right, to a roundabout. Take the first exit, signposted for Minehead, follow the road over the mainline railway and at the roundabout at the end of this road turn left and then right at the Cross Keys Inn. You are now on the last leg of the journey to Bishops Lydeard as per leaving the Motorway at Junction 25.
If you are staying in the Greater Exmoor area and are heading for Minehead to start your day the station stands on the seafront. There is a pay and display car park adjacent to Minehead Station and other car parking in the town.

CAR PARKING:- Apart from the three stations detailed above the car parking at the other stations is as follows:-
Crowcombe Heathfield:  A small car parking area at the station.
Stogumber:  Very small car park
Watchet:  Large pay and display car park adjacent to the station and other car parks in the town.
Washford:  Small amount of parking on the station forecourt. More parking adjacent to Cleeve Abbey on Abbey Road (signposted for Roadwater):- 10 minutes walk from there to the station.
Blue Anchor:  Car Park across the road from the station and parking along the sea front.
Dunster:  Car Parking at the station.
For those with Satellite Navigation the post codes for are stations are:

Bishops Lydeard TA4 3BX
Crowcombe Heathfeld TA4 4PA
Stogumber TA4 3TR
Williton TA4 4QR
Watchet TA23 OAU
Washford TA23 OPP
Blue Anchor TA24 6LB
Dunster TA24 6TH
Minehead TA24 5BG

Visit the Traffic England Website for Real time Traffic Information. Please click the logo for more:

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BY RAIL

The nearest mainline railway station to the West Somerset Railway at Bishops Lydeard is Taunton. The bus link between there and the WSR is operated by First Somerset and Avon Bus service 28 (see below for more). For more information on Rail Services to and from Taunton please see National Rail Enquiries website by clicking the link below:

National Rail Enquiries

BY BUS

Service 28
First Somerset and Avon operate Service 28 daily from the stop at the south side interchange next to platform 2 and from stop C in Station Road out of the of the main station entrance and then left under the bridge. This Service operates direct to and from Bishops Lydeard Station on West Somerset Railway operating days.
Contact First on 01823 272033 at the Bus Station travel shop or by clickinmg the first logo below. Service 28 operates to and from the Bus Station which has many connections to various parts of Somerset and beyond by local buses. National Express also operate from the bus station and have connections in London with Eurolines from many parts of Europe. The Travel line for National Express information is 0871 200 2233 or alternative click the link below.

First Bus
National Express Logo

First Somerset and Avon also operate service 398 from Tiverton via Dulverton and Wheddon Cross on Mondays and Saturdays to/from Minhead Railway Station and Butlins

BY AIR

The closest air ports to the West Somerset Railway are Bristol and Exeter. A bus service links Bristol Airport with Bristol Temple Meads from which trains run to Taunton, or National Express Coach Services from Bristol Marlborough Street Coach station for connection to Taunton Bus and Rail stations. Passengers from Heathrow airport can find regular daily National Express Coach Services for connection to Taunton Bus and Rail stations with connections on First Somerset and Avon Services to Bishops Lydeard or direct to Minehead.
Find out more about the West Somerset Railway's timetables by clicking on the Timetable Page

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For more information please call: 01643 704996 or email us