Expect a spectacular weekend bursting with the sights, sounds, and spirit of the 1940s! From the moment you arrive, you’ll be swept into a world of swinging music, vintage charm, and wartime nostalgia. Enjoy a dazzling line-up of live musical performances, meet wonderfully costumed characters, and discover a host of exciting events taking place at stations all along the line. Each stop offers its own unique slice of 1940s magic - so be sure to explore them all!
Travel couldn’t be easier - your adventure is completely flexible with our rover tickets, letting you hop on and off trains throughout the day. Even better, Annual Passes are valid during this fantastic weekend, as it’s a standard fare event.
For the best value, we recommend purchasing rover tickets in advance to receive a discount on your tickets. On-the-day prices are £38 per adult and £19 per child.
Prefer a shorter journey? Intermediate station tickets and simple return fares are also available to purchase on the day, either at the booking office or onboard the train.
And as the sun sets, the celebrations continue! Our ever-popular Saturday night platform dance returns to Minehead station - promising an evening of toe-tapping tunes, lively dancing, and vintage glamour under the stars. With multiple musical acts bringing the era to life, it’s the perfect way to end your day in true 1940s style. (Please note: a separate ticket is required for the dance.)
Don your finest vintage attire, bring your dancing shoes, and get ready for a weekend that truly captures the magic of the 1940s!
We have the option of a discounted two day ticket to visit for both days of the event! To purchase a ticket for two days, please select 'Book Now' on the Saturday date below. This will take you to a screen which will allow you to select the second day only, therefore you need to add the Sunday to your booking. Once selected, you will see a box that says 'return to basket'. Select this and you will see both days added. Please make sure you have the two correct days selected before heading to the check out.
To see our programme for the weekend, including the timetable and whats going on at every station, click the link here.
Please note: There are currently roadworks taking place on the A358 in Taunton - there is a diversion in place heading towards Bishops Lydeard. Therefore, please allow extra time for your journey. A one way single lane closure will be in operation between Silk Mills Roundabout and Manor Road junction for a scheduled 12 week programme between 20th July and October 2026. Traffic will be allowed to access Taunton via the A358 from the Minehead direction. Traffic leaving Taunton towards the west will be directed via Wellington Road (A38) and Silk Mills Road (A3065). Please see the following website for further information: https://staplegrove-highwayworks.co.uk/
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What is happening at our stations?
Please see the details below to find out what is happening at each of our stations along the line. More details will be added as we get closer to the event.
Bishops Lydeard
Bishops Lydeard Museum (run by the WSR Heritage Trust) will be decorated in the classic 1940s style. They will have storyboards on the lower floor telling the story of the 40s decade. A visual display of 40s artefacts and adverts will also be viewable, including a display on the iconic tinned meat, SPAM.
Dickie Lines will be performing at Bishops Lydeard at intervals throughout the weekend.
Crowcombe Heathfield
Crowcombe Station will be decorated, have the John Walker singers and displays of memorabilia.
They are also hoping to have a display of a small number of vintage cars and portering demonstrations.
Stogumber
New for this year, Stogumber Station will have a ‘make do and mend’ tent, hosting displays of vintage sewing, making and other repair methods as well as demonstrations of the various techniques, including darning. A wartime shop or air-raid shelter will be found in the waiting room.
Props will be found around the station, such as unexploded bombs, and a small display of antique vehicles will be viewable. As well as all this, Blitz Time Sally and Chrystal Bliss will be singing again throughout the weekend.
Williton
Williton are planning on having the following attractions:
- A display on the evacuation process in general and how it was carried out in Williton.
- A display on the world of wartime children including a number of original popular children's toys and games from the wartime period.
- A station prepared for war (including air raid warnings).
- A small selection of classic vehicles (four and two-wheeled).
Watchet
Watchet Station will have a number of live performaces over the weekend.
They will be putting up bunting and dressing the station with posters and sandbags.
They will also have a faceboard, a dig for victory display, background music over the loudspeaker.
The model railway will be open and they are also planning to have an Air Raid Siren demonstration.
There will also be a market and lots of entertainment in Watchet Town itself.
Washford
Last year, Washford turned their waiting room into a 40s tea room, with furniture and crockery of the era and 'tea ladies' dressed for the part. They are planning to repeat this again this year.
They also have plans to construct a field gun, barriers and an unexploded bomb at the wider end of the platform.
The NAAFI will be present and the West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust Carriage Restoration Shed will be open.
Blue Anchor
Blue Anchor Station will have a display on NARPAC (National Air Raid Precautions Animals Committee) and their impact and advice during WWII, as well as other home-front displays and attractions.
Dunster
Last year Dunster Station focused on looking into the rural life aspect of the 40s. This year they will be revisiting this theme, including a taster table of 1940’s recipes, an antique hand tool display, with items used in carpentry and farming. There will also be a look into Dunster during the 1940s, including images of the village, books detailing the time and more.
Minehead
Minehead will feature a number of performances over the weekend and will host our Evening Dance on Saturday evening.
Saturday
10.00 - 10.45 May Blossom
10.50 - 11.35 Helen Pearson
11.40 - 12.25 Johnny Victory
12.30 - 13.05 Swing Dance Taunton Dance Lessons
13.10 - 13.55 May Blossom
14.00 - 14.45 Helen Pearson
14.50 - 15.35 Johnny Victory
15.40 - 16.10 Swing Dance Taunton Dance Lessons
Sunday
10.00 -10-45 Johnny Victory
10-50am -11.35 May Blossom
11.40- 12.25 Helen Pearson
12.30-13-.05 Dotty and Biscuit
13.10- 13.55 pm Johnny Victory
14.00- 14.45 May Blossom
14.50- 15.35 Helen Pearson
15.40- 16.10- Dotty and Biscuit
It will also host the Poppy of Honour, a 2.6-meter-tall metal and glass national memorial dedicated to every British and Commonwealth serviceman and servicewoman who died or went missing in World War 1.
Locomotive No 2315 Lady Ingrid, an Andrew Barclay engine is scheduled to work shunting demonstrations at Minehead over the course of the weekend, moving from Williton Shed on Saturday morning.
1940s Programme
DATES & TIMES
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