East Somerset Railway

About the museum

The East Somerset Railway was surveyed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and opened in 1858 between Witham and Shepton Mallet. It was later extended to Wells, and the Great Western Railway took it over. Quarrying and milk traffic kept it going, but passenger numbers fell after the Second World War and the line closed in 1964, with only stone and bitumen trains using it for a few more years.

In the late 1960s the wildlife artist David Shepherd was looking for a home for two steam locomotives he had bought. He found it at Cranmore, and the East Somerset Heritage Railway was opened to the public on 1 August 1974. It is run by a large team of volunteers and has become a visitor attraction for the area.

Today a 2.5-mile line runs from Cranmore Station towards Shepton Mallet, and the return ride takes about 35 to 40 minutes. At the station visitors can see a small museum in the old waiting room, the David Shepherd Discovery Centre with the exhibition The Man Who Loved Giants, and the refurbished signal box. The engine shed and workshop, where volunteers restore locomotives, can also be visited, and there are events and dining trains throughout the year.

Highlights

• Steam train rides on a 2.5-mile line through the Mendip countryside
• Time-capsule station museum in the old waiting room
• The Man Who Loved Giants, a permanent exhibition on founder David Shepherd
• Engine shed and workshop where volunteers restore locomotives
• Signal box and miniature railway on selected days

Permanent exhibitions

• The Man Who Loved Giants – A permanent exhibition in a restored carriage about the art and work of founder David Shepherd, with framed prints, memorabilia, books and recorded memories.
• Station waiting room museum – A small time-capsule museum in the old station building with railway memorabilia displayed in glass cases.

Founded

1974

Admission & discounts

Tickets are Day Rovers, allowing as many train rides as seats permit on the day of the visit, and can be bought on the day at the ticket office. They also cover the museum areas on the platform. Character days, Santa specials and dining trains have separate fixed prices.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator: no information
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Six Blue Badge spaces are 50 metres from the station entrance, and the platform and ticket office can be reached without steps by a lane to the old station buildings, where there is drop-off and further disabled parking. From the car park the station has 16 stone steps to the platform. The cafe and toilets are at ground level, including an accessible toilet with baby change. Heritage carriages cannot seat wheelchairs, but an adapted carriage with a ramp is available and the guard helps passengers board. The museum on the platform has flat access, though space is limited. The engine shed, signal box and miniature railway involve uneven ground and crossing the rails. Assistance dogs are allowed in all areas, and the ticket office has glass screens to help lip reading.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The railway describes itself as a family attraction, with a children's play area next to the cafe patio, children's character days such as Day Out With Thomas, and Santa specials in winter. The toilet block includes a baby change facility.

Getting there & parking

The railway is in Cranmore, about 3 miles from Shepton Mallet and 6 miles from Frome, just off the A361. Use postcode BA4 4QP for navigation.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

The Station Cafe serves food and drink with patio seating and is open Wednesday to Sunday 09:30 to 15:30; afternoon tea and other dining are offered on the Mendip Belle dining carriage by pre-booking. A well-stocked station shop sells gifts and David Shepherd prints, and an independent model railway shop stands in the car park. There are picnic areas next to the children's play area.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Weddings / ceremonies

The railway offers weddings and celebrations, and its car park can be used by groups and events by arrangement.

Plan your visit