West Somerset Railway
West Somerset Railway
4.5
About
This scenic 20-mile rail tour from the Quantock Hills to the Bristol Channel coast recaptures the romantic era of steam rail travel.
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  • Alison L
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Full steam ahead for a delightful experience
    The friendly staff started the day well and the comfy seats in the Quantock Belle carriage helped the positive experience even more. We had booked a table of 4 for mother's day and even though the departure time had changed to 35 mins later, we were directed to the museum which is free and was so interesting it quickly passed the time. There were 37 covers apparently so we were very well attended to by staff. The food was delicious (maybe some gravy next time?!!) and the whole day nicely paced for us and my parents who are in their 80s. Having dessert after an hr break off the train is a genius idea. We loved the whole experience. Well done to all involved. Of course the steam engine itself gave me goosebumps and the gentle chug chug chug through the English countryside on a sunny afternoon may I add, was such a treat.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 22 March 2023
  • Gillian S
    Southampton, United Kingdom132 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely scenic trip
    We had a lovely day riding on the West Somerset Railway from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and back. We had bought the tickets in advance and everything ran smoothly from start to finish. The train was clean and comfortable and we enjoyed the attractive scenery. The trip was for our daughter’s 25th birthday and she really enjoyed it. Thanks very much.
    Visited March 2023
    Travelled with family
    Written 29 March 2023
  • Dawn 25
    Lambourn, United Kingdom16 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Warm welcome on a freezing night
    Winterlights was the reason we visited and we were not disappointed…Despite freezing temperatures the volunteers were warm and welcoming to us as we arrived . Love the train lights which were very pretty ..coach was lovely and warm and decorated inside and a handy window rubber blade to clear the condescension of the windows ! Fabulous trip with all four of my children but my two boys who have autism age 9 & 11 had a great time :) Well done to all concerned it was worth every penny …see you in Dec for another magical trip .
    Visited December 2022
    Travelled with family
    Written 12 April 2023
  • George T
    Knoxville, Tennessee133 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Heritage Railway and Wonderful Experience
    Visited on Sunday the 16th of April, for the Fish and Chips and Cream Tea Special and was not Disappointed. From the Station Staff to the Onboard Catering team, The West Somerset Railway Provided a Scenic and Memorable Experience that Made My Trip to Somerset a Wonderful Experience. The stretch from Dunster to Minehead was Breathtaking seeing Dunster Castle in the Distance with the Little Village of Minehead and it’s Station providing a great place to Explore with the Sunday Market on the Square a great place to visit and talk to the Locals. To the Volunteers and Staff at the West Somerset Railway I cannot Thank You Enough for A great day on the Railway. I look forward to a future visit.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 27 April 2023
  • Christine B
    2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A joyful day out!
    Fabulous day out on the fish and chip/cream tea special. Thoroughly enjoyed the experience, and the whole team operating the train and serving the food and drinks were really enthusiastic and efficient. Thank you to the whole team. You are amazing! Thoroughly recommend this trip.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 17 May 2023
  • Andykeithharris
    Reading, United Kingdom277 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    An Excellent Day Out
    One of the longest heritage railways. We boarded at Bishops Lydiard and travelled to Minehead for lunch and back. The trains and locos were clean and well kept and ran on time. The journey might be a little long for young children at just over an hour, but the views are interesting and pretty. The journey itself it is two quite distinct parts - the first part up through the Cheviot Hills and along the coast - the second park. Several of the stations are worth getting off at to visit the villages connected - Dunster (for the castle) and Wachet (for the harbour) in particular. We will happily visit again
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 21 May 2023
  • Frances S
    London, United Kingdom14 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Superb - will be travelling again
    Great day out for 4 of us this week. We had fish and chips lunch on the way from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and cream tea on the return trip. Served by very cheerful 'mature' volunteers. The return trip was a bit of an adventure, as the lovely old steam engine developed a slight 'misfire' causing an army of (more) volunteers to scurry about one of the stations, working hard to cool it down. The driver did a fine job of limping steadily back AND there were multiple apologies for being a little late Don't get that nowadays on mainline, in fact don't always get a train even, these days!! Well done everyone. We're already booking our next trip.
    Visited May 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 28 May 2023
  • Sam3314
    Derby, United Kingdom2,111 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely views
    Long steam railway. We walked down from Dunster Village. Buying tickets at the station was a bit complicated as it wasn't clear what the options were but we succeeded and had a snack at the station. Carriages were very well maintained and we had a scenic ride along the coast and through the Somerset countryside. We alighted at Crocombe Heathfield which was very well maintained. We were able to have food and drink on the train.
    Visited April 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 May 2023
  • Lynn P
    Oldham, United Kingdom200 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Pleasant journey
    Went as part of my holiday package, was diesel festival week so not a steam train journey. But it was a pleasant experience. Trip was over an hour and a half .from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead ,8 stations in-between cafe on most of the stations
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 9 June 2023
  • Butterfly
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely trip on historic train line
    Excellent trip from Minehead to Watchet, despite the issues that arose from poor planning from the excursion company. Friendly and informative staff, who bent over backwards to help. We totally appreciated your help. Would wholeheartedly recommend this company, such a nostalgic trip on lovely well kept and maintained historic trains, railways and stations.
    Visited June 2023
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 12 June 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles2,714 reviews
Excellent
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Very good
472
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Poor
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Terrible
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Dawn 25
Lambourn, UK16 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
Another festive visit to this lovely railway with all 4 of my children in early December.Busy evening which is good to see,but staff still super friendly and helpful as usual despite the heavy work load as most are volunteers so I appreciate this.

Warm snug train with all the charm of Christmas however I would question some of the choice of music which could have been more festive so we can all sing …

Lovely railway and we all enjoyed the evening trip with the train looking super dressed in lights.We especially loved meeting Brunel …the dog.Well done all
Written 1 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DaveBAmersham
Little Chalfont, UK900 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
Went on the Santa Express trip from Bishop Lidleard to Williton. We had Father Christmas and elves on the train which was fun. On each table there was a selection of biscuit, small bottles of wine, water and fruit drinks, all children got Christmas presents. The presents looked to be of good quality. All staff throughout the experience were very friendly and helpful. Great to travel in a steam train with authentic coaches bringing back memories of time long past. Very pleasant countryside was viewed on route. A great pre-Christmas treat.
Written 25 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Lauren D
5 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Couples
I payed for myself and my partner to have a lovely relaxing hot chocolate and a cookie on board whilst we looked at the winter lights on a cosy steam train (that’s what I imagined anyway)

Positive feedback- it was very well organised and planned out well. There was heating which was nice. The outside of the train looked great.

Negative feedback - As explained above, I imagined being served a lush hot chocolate with cream on top and a nice cookie on the side whilst on our journey, but what a disappointment we both felt when we walked in to an overcrowded, loud and dingy marquee where there was no place to sit. We were told to arrive 45 minutes earlier but said there were gifts to shop around for whilst you wait to be called. We were disappointed in the tiny selection of gifts in the corner that had no interest for us. Our biggest disappointment was realising that the ‘heart warming hot chocolate and cookie’ I imagined being served on the train was being served inside the marquee in a takeaway cup that tasted like water!! And the double chocolate cookie that I picked up are the 50p cheap ones you buy in petrol stations! I payed £10 for 2 of these. Absolute rip off.
When we go onto the train we were hoping that the 40 minutes waiting around and drinking crappy hot chocolate and cheap cookie we thought it must we worth it. We were so disappointed again - they played dance music the whole way!!!!! What the hell!! This is meant to be a Christmas experience! It was annoying us at this point. It was good music but not what you want to hear when your on a Christmas train trying to look at the Christmas lights- not that there were much lights to look at… we came across only 3 sections on our side of hanging stars … I’m sure a little more effort could have gone in to the lights…. It felt like more of an effort was made for the audience who hadn't paid to look at the wonderfully decorated train as it goes past. Little did they know they probably seen more lights on the train than we did sat in it……
I’m sorry but it was just our honest experience. My partner was just glad that he didn’t have to pay for it. Haha.
Written 24 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Vanessa P
Stourbridge, UK13 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Business
Highly recommend west summer set rail way 10 stars ⭐️ rung up customer services spoke to a very friendly kind gentleman about something he helped me put me at ease very kind. This is a fantastic railway been before going again in June 2024 fantastic day out very friendly staff and volunteers always happy to help definitely recommend
Written 20 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SalSomerset
Somerset, UK15 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2023 • Family
Me and my family always have an amazing day out here! We live locally and come here to visit often with the grandchildren. We recently travelled to Minehead Christmas market and enjoyed the wonderful views along the way. Fabulous staff and very attentive.
Written 6 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BuntyLee
Warminster, UK74 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2023 • Couples
We went on this lovely steam train from Bishops Lydeard to the Minehead Christmas market. We were very fortunate at this time of year to have cold bright weather to view all the lovely scenery en route. We had paid for a hamper to accompany our journey which was filled with lovely goodies. The staff are all very helpful and the whole day was well planned and we very much enjoyed our day trip to Minehead which looked lovely in the bright sunshine.
Written 27 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Martin B
Ferndown, UK6 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Family
Lovely interesting trip , not cheap but a good long trip for a hertitage railway, plenty of helpful staff/volunteers
Catering & gift shop reasonably priced
Written 30 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David S
Great Malvern, UK711 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2023 • Couples
This has been on my to do list for a long time and it was interesting to compare it with Severn Valley and North Yorkshire Moors. Severn Valley comes out on top for views, facilities and other things to visit. Quite a lot of the journey is in cuttings, so not so much to see.

At £30 a head it is a bit overpriced, as is £4.%0 for a pastie. No OAP reductions

Still, it is the longest in the country and it s relaxing way to travel.
Written 22 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Prairie Sun
38 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Family
First time travelling the railway, and definitely not disappointed. Friendly and helpful volunteer staff. Stations, trains, and locos are all appropriately painted, and restored. Beautiful Somerset intermediate stations. We went mid week, so plenty of seats, and no crowding, but I am sure could be very popular on events days.
Written 30 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

glassmen007
Soundwell, UK605 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
We stay at Dunster Beach each year and usually spend a day on the railway taking up a day rover ticket in the process.
Due to the weather this year we decided to skip our annual trip.
We did however walk along Dunster Beach into Blue Anchor, we had a lovely chat with the gentleman who I'm guessing was station master for the day and the lady who was weeding both were able to shows us pictures from the previous Sunday where the line was flooded at the station, thank you to these two lovely people for giving up their time in discussion, we enjoyed the chat so much we decided to take the train back to Dunster and enjoyed the travel that short distance, even for better our youngest dog had got over his fear of the big green monsters, thank you to all at the WSR for all you do especially the wonderful volunteers who give up so much time for free and to help maintain the traditions of our past
Written 29 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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