The West Somerset Railway welcomes passengers who have a disability and any accompanying assistance dogs. We are working hard to improve our accessibility and already have three accessible coaches available to us. We intend to have an accessible coach o all of our standard service trains. There is no need to pre-book but please contact us if you are travelling as part of a group who have more than 3 wheelchairs, let us know which services you intend to travel on so that we can we have sufficient accessibility on your chosen services.
If your mobility is limited, most of the stations along the West Somerset Railway are accessible to you. The exception to this is Doniford Halt which has a small uneven gravel path leading down from a road embankment with gated entrance (and no car parking).
Please arrive with at least 25 minutes to spare for boarding. Restrict your speed to 2 mph for the safety of both yourself and other passengers. Please keep away from the platform edge until you are boarding a train. Please be aware, some platform edges slope towards the track for drainage purposes. Extra care will be needed.
Our policy is to admit a necessary companion, or carer, of a disabled visitor free of charge, when the disabled visitor pays the full fare. This is not available in advance.
(Standard Fares only, disabled concessions are not available on our special services). For more information on fares please see our fares pages.
We hope that the information below will help those travelling with us who have a disability.
The Trains
Most of our trains are accessible for an individual with a disability. You can move between the carriages (including to the buffet car) on the level but the somewhat narrow connecting doors of our heritage carriages stop you from doing so in a wheelchair or scooter. If you can step aboard and move to a seat, a small number of our carriages have a space (at one end) in which your folded wheelchair may be carried.
However, wheelchairs and all scooters will normally travel in the Guard's Van. Here you will find windows and non-slip flooring. Access is via a ramp (note that whilst the on-train crew are there to help you, it is your responsibility for boarding using the ramp). Again, access to the rest of the train is on the level but restricted by the narrow connecting doors into the coach saloons.
Booking of accessible coaches FOR GROUPS
We have three carriages which can be put on a specific train (subject to advance booking and availability). The carriages are specially adapted to accommodate wheelchairs. The Lorna Doone coach can accommodate up to 10 wheelchairs and 'The Golden Fox' Accessible Carriage and Stephen Hawking Accessible Coach can accommodate 6. To check availability / pre-book please call us on 01643 704996.
Size Restrictions
Most WSR services can carry manual or powered wheelchairs (and mobility scooters), folded if necessary, up to the following limitations for safety reasons:
- Width: 700 millimetres (27 inches)
- Length (including footplates): 1200 millimetres (47 inches)
- Weight including passenger: 230kg (36 stone), the safe limit of our ramps.
| Station | Access to Platform | Accessible | Platform | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toilets | Cafe | Shop | ||||
| Bishops Lydeard | yes | shallow ramps | RADAR | yes | yes | easy access |
| Crowcombe Heathfield | no | level | yes | no | n/a | grassed area |
| Stogumber | no | steep ramp | yes | yes | n/a | too narrow |
| Williton | no | shallow ramps | no | no | no | narrow |
| Doniford Halt | no | none | n/a | n/a | n/a | very difficult access |
| Watchet | yes | level | yes | n/a | n/a | easy access |
| Washford | no | steep ramp | no | no | no | grassed area |
| Blue Anchor | no | shallow ramps | no | no | no | narrow |
| Dunster | no | level | no | no | n/a | grassed area |
| Minehead | yes | level | RADAR | yes | yes | easy access |
Boarding the Train
It is your responsibility to load your wheelchair or scooter on and off the train and we ask you or your travelling companion to ensure that the scooter is folded ready for boarding prior to the train's arrival. If you wish help, please do not hesitate to ask.
If your scooter or wheelchair is oversize, we have a small number of (ordinary, standard size) wheelchairs available for loan at Bishops Lydeard, Watchet and Minehead for your use whilst you are on the railway.
If your wheelchair is oversize for medical reasons (but not overweight), please contact us in advance of travel (details below) and we may be able to issue a permit to travel for your wheelchair.
Please ask for assistance if it would help. We are here to ensure you enjoy your day!
Engine Shed Open Days
The Railway's engineering departments are not usually open to the public, but on special events may be open for a small fee. These are not easily accessible to you if you have a disability for safety reasons.
ADDRESS
West Somerset Railway,The Railway Station,
Minehead Somerset,
TA24 5BG
