Bishops Lydeard

Bishops Lydeard Bishops Lydeard Station is the southern terminus of the West Somerset Railway. It is four miles from the County town of Taunton and the M5 Motorway (Junction 25) and is the starting point for most passengers on the Railway.
	The station, opened with the original Taunton to Watchet Line in 1862 and originally had only the main building, Goods shed and the Station Masters House (opposite the Shop on Platform 2 - it is now let out as a holiday home) until the Great Western Railway added the other platform and Signalbox in 1906. The station is home to the West Somerset Railway Association, the supporting charitable body of the Railway who recruit and look after the volunteers and some of the locomotives on the line.
Their offices are located in the main stone building on Platform 1. Also found on Platform 1 is the Gauge Museum which has many items of local rail interest and shows how the railway affected the people who worked on and used the line. The Museum also contains a working model railway open normally at weekends and Galas. Platform 1 is also home to the Taunton Model Railway Group whose layout, Bath Green Park, is intricately detailed and can be viewed when it is open on Gala days. On Platform 2 you will find the station shop and Wheel Tapper's Buffet, adjacent to the Signalbox, selling a comprehensive range of model railway equipment old and new, books and other souvenirs. The Wheel Tapper's Buffet sells hot and cold snack items as well as a soft drinks and sweets. The village of Bishops Lydeard is situated at the foot of the Quantock Hills and is about five minutes walking from the station. Leave the station by the gate near the Bridge and follow the road until you come to a road junction by the small industrial estate. Cross Station Road and, after passing through the subway under the A358 and walking for about seven minutes, you will arrive at the Lethbridge Arms, the first of three pubs in the Village. The large wall in the car park is a relic of the old Somerset game of fives, now no longer played but once a popular pastime. The Lethbridge Arms offers food and beer with the possibility of a discount if you produce your West Somerset Railway tickets. Also in Gore Square with the Lethbridge Arms is the corner store selling locally produced Ice Cream which may be of Interest on a hot day.
	The old village is a mixture of red sandstone and brick buildings which are all very charming to look at. Further up the road into the village is Mill Lane which, if followed, takes you to the village watermill which has been spendidly restored. Bishops Lydeard Mill welcomes visitors on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and between 11:30 and 16:00 Sundays from 30th May to 29th September (plus Bank Holiday Mondays) to see the working water wheel, the wheelwright's shop and the blacksmith's shop.
Once back on the main road further into the village is the Bird in the Hand Pub offering food and drink, garden and a childrens play area. Alongside the pub is a small craft shop. The Village Church is the very impressive St. Mary the Virgin and the earliest part dates from the 14th Century. There are some beautiful wood carvings in the church and the village charter from 1291 can be viewed. Next to the village church is the Bell Inn, a free house, offering food, a childrens play area and good beer. Nearby is a fascinating relic of the tram system in Taunton, a post that supported the electric wires, now in use as a lamp standard. The trams were closed in the 1920's and no one is really sure how it got there. Other premises in the vicinity include a paper shop, a fruit and cheese emporium, the village supermarket, a health centre and a library. The best way to appreciate Bishops Lydeard is by a gentle stroll taking in all the sites as you go. Bishops Lydeard Station has a booking office and sells the full range of West Somerset Railway tickets. Please see the Fares Pages to find out more about fares from this station. The station has toilets, with facilities for disabled passengers and baby changing rooms. There is a large free car park and coach parking is available. Visit the Bishops Lydeard Mill website by Clicking here Visit the Bishops Lydeard village website by Clicking here Vist the Cedar Falls Health Farm Website by Clicking here