Crowcombe Heathfield Station | West Somerset Railway

In a picturesque and tranquil rural location at the hamlet of Crowcombe Heathfield, the station sits by the highest point on the West Somerset Railway, just under 400 feet above sea level. Here you can often hear approaching trains working hard to climb up the gradient for several minutes before they arrive. The station is not close to any major settlement – the village of Crowcombe lies nearly two miles away. There is a small car parking area, please park with consideration of local residents and do not block their access.

Jo Ward

Station Facilities

The entrance is by the main station building on the up (Bishops Lydeard) platform, where tickets can be purchased at the booking office. During operating days the station is open for light refreshments, a small range of WSR gifts, locally produced preserves and honey can be found in the station building.

In incliment weather, you will be welcomed into our cozy waiting room by the warmth of a real fire and friendly volunteers, here you can enjoy your refreshments indoors. Our ice-cream freezer is well stocked with a vaired choice of delicious Styles Dairy Ice-cream made here on the Quantocks.

In the Goods Office, you can see an interpretation of small stations master's office, watched over by porter 'Will Hay'! You will also find a good choice of secondhand fiction and transport books, as well as a selection of jigsaw puzzles.

Depending on which timetable is in operation, Crowcombe Heathfield station may have crossing trains, and its picturesque nature is very popular with photographers. During quiet periods, visits to the signal box may be arranged, please ask the station staff if this is possible.

Crowcombe Heathfield is a popular starting or finishing station for walkers. One popular route is a short circuit on quiet local lanes, which takes 20-30 minutes. A longer, but still rerlatively easy walk to Stogumber, or the extended walk to Williton is another popular rouite. There are a couple of options to walk back to Bishops Lydeard and for the more adventureous, a number of routes up into the Quantock Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The station gardens are admired by visitors and those who wish to sit, enjoy the peace and quiet, listen to the birds singing and watch the butterflies flitting from flower to flower in the sunshine.

Jo Ward

Fenchurch at Crowcombe Heathfield Station

Jo Ward

History of Crowcombe Heathfield Station

Construction of the original West Somerset Railway started on 7 April 1859 with the cutting of the first sod near the site of the deep cutting on the southern approach to Crowcombe Heathfield. The station was built for the opening of the line in 1862 with a stone main building and single platform, reached by a new road between the country lanes which cross the line on each side. Later additions included a siding and loading bank, goods office, the passing loop with a second platform, shelter and signal box.

The platforms and loop were extended in the early 1930s. The station suffered badly in the rundown under British Railways with much being demolished, although the main station building survived.

The station found a moment of fame in 1964, when it was featured in the Beatles first film “A Hard Day’s Night”. In the preservation era the station has been restored and extended. Replicas of the goods office and down platform shelter have been built, the passing loop reinstated, and a replacement signal box built using a wooden top from Ebbw Vale in South Wales on a new brick base. The rural charm of the restored station has led to it been used for further filming, including scenes in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” and “Land Girls”.

Jo Ward

Crowcombe Heathfield and the Surrounding Area

Vist The Church of the Holy Ghost, Crowcombe:

Situated next to Crowcombe Court, just off the A358, the earliest church on the site is thought to have been built in Saxon times, but of the present church, the earliest part is the 14th century tower and north wall; more was added in the 15th century, and the south aisle was built in the16th century. The private Carew chapel was added in 1655, and is still in use by the family. Some restoration took place in 1720 and 1869, and the church is well maintained.

The church is built of Quantock red sandstone, with a slate roof and has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade 1 listed building.

Visit Crowcombe Village shop:

A community run village shop, open in the mornings for fresh Bread, Cakes, Pies, Biscuits & Confectionery, Fresh fruit & veg, dairy products and more