Castle Cary railway station, one of the busiest in Somerset, has undergone a significant restoration of its ticket office and waiting room following an investment of £835,000.
Attracting more than 370,000 passengers annually, the station serves as a key transport hub for extensive areas of eastern Somerset. This restoration forms part of a series of improvements aimed at enhancing passenger experience while preserving the station’s historic character.
Recent upgrades at the station include the opening of a new car park in March 2024 and the introduction of the 567 bus route on a six-month trial, connecting Castle Cary to Glastonbury and Street. These developments complement the refurbishment of the ticket office and waiting room, which have been improved to increase accessibility and reflect the heritage of the station.
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Funding for the refurbishment was provided by £560,000 from the Department for Transport (DfT) and £275,000 from the Railway Heritage Trust. The station building was officially reopened on Monday 17 August by Sir Andrew Haines, chairman of Department for Transport Operator Limited (DFTO).
The project has reopened the station’s original entrance for passengers alongside the installation of a new accessible ramp, ensuring step-free access. The ticket office’s relocation has improved customer flow, creating a more inviting waiting area. Historic features uncovered during the restoration have been preserved, and new timber furniture has been added to evoke the early 20th-century design.
Additional enhancements include extra seating on the main platform, a new digital departure board, and upgraded toilet facilities featuring an enlarged accessible toilet with baby changing amenities.
Sir Andrew Haines commented: “This is a great example of how we can provide meaningful benefits to the public while remaining true to the station’s iconic heritage. I hope Castle Cary’s passengers are pleased with the improvements and enjoy their journeys to and from this unique station.”
Castle Cary is primarily served by Great Western Railway (GWR), connecting the Bristol to Weymouth stopper service as well as faster trains between Exeter and London Paddington via Taunton.
Mark Hopwood CBE, GWR managing director, said: “Castle Cary is a wonderful example of how we can celebrate our railway heritage while making our stations work better for today’s customers. We’re delighted to have worked with the DfT, the Railway Heritage Trust and Oxford Architects to restore the station’s historic character, while improving accessibility and the customer experience.
“We’re also proud of our close partnership with The Newt in Somerset, which is helping create an exciting destination at Castle Cary and showcase the very best of the area’s heritage.”
The Newt in Somerset operates an artisan dairy, restaurant, and farm shop adjacent to the station within the restored 1912 Creamery building.
Looking ahead, GWR is considering the development of a third car park to accommodate increasing passenger numbers. The Department for Transport’s ‘Access for All’ programme is also exploring further step-free access improvements at the station.
Tim Hedley-Jones, director of the Railway Heritage Trust, added: “We are pleased to have supported GWR with a grant for the restoration of this historic station building. The project shows that preserving our railway heritage can deliver tangible benefits to passengers such as improved accessibility and enhanced waiting facilities. All those involved in this project are to be commended for their attention to period detail.”
Information on the 567 bus route serving Castle Cary railway station is available at www.somersetbuspartnership.co.uk/567.
Councillor Richard Wilkins, Somerset Council’s portfolio holder for highways and transport, voiced support for the new bus service, emphasising the importance of public use for its success. Representing the Curry Rivel and Langport division, Mr Wilkins said earlier this month: “We’d love to run buses everywhere, but the reality is that in Somerset we don’t have as good a service as we would like, so any improvements must be sensible. This really is the best option. It has every opportunity to succeed – but for that to happen, meeting train times and encouraging people to board are essential.”