A significant section of Somerset’s historic “forgotten railway” has been reborn as a beautiful and accessible walking and cycling path, linking Shepton Mallet with neighbouring villages. This revitalised route follows the former trackbed of the Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway (S&DJR), which operated passenger and freight services between Bath and Bournemouth for over a century.
Known variously as the “Slow and Dirty” for its smoky engines, the “Slow and Doubtful” for its unreliable service, or the “Serene and Delightful” for its scenic views, this railway was one of many casualties of the severe Beeching cuts in the 1960s. These cuts led to the closure of numerous stations and services across Somerset, leaving behind an abandoned legacy.
In recent years, Greenways and Cycle Routes has partnered with local councils, volunteers, and contractors to deliver the Windsor Hill Greenway. This project reopens a large portion of the old railway trackbed for pedestrians and cyclists, forming part of the larger Somerset Circle initiative—a 76-mile traffic-free trail connecting Bristol, Bath, the Mendip Hills, and the Somerset Levels.
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The newly reopened section starts near the A37 Whitstone Hall on Shepton Mallet’s eastern edge, running over historic Bath Road and Ham Wood viaducts and passing through the impressive Windsor Hill tunnel. After an intensive work camp in September, the greenway has been extended to reach Thrupe Lane, making travel easier towards Chilcompton, Midsomer Norton, and Radstock.
A celebratory ceremony at the Ham Wood viaduct on October 17 saw local volunteers, Somerset Council representatives, landowners from the Dinder Estate, and contractors MP & KM Golding Ltd. gather to mark the occasion. Christopher Somerville of the Dinder Estate commemorated the event with a commemorative poem in iambic pentameter, reflecting on the railway’s heritage and the efforts to revive the route.
Councillor Ros Wyke of Somerset Council, representing Mendip West, highlighted the economic and community benefits of such rural paths. She praised the project’s progress, noting that 50 miles of the Somerset Circle are already in use, with the route helping to support rural economies and encourage outdoor activity. She called for greater government funding to support active travel in non-urban areas, recognising the challenges faced in rural transport infrastructure.
Greenways and Cycle Routes is currently collaborating with landowners to extend the greenway further, including plans to connect it to the A37 and potentially run the trail over the Charlton Viaduct to the A361 Charlton Road. Founder John Grimshaw expressed enthusiasm for upcoming projects, including a path connecting the greenway to Shepton Mallet’s town centre and organising a ride around the current extent of the Somerset Circle.
Somerset Council recently secured over £2 million from Active Travel England to fund improvements to walking and cycling infrastructure over the next 18 months, focusing on new routes and maintenance across the county. Plans to further support the Strawberry Line and Somerset Circle routes through grant funding are expected to be discussed soon.
The resurrection of this once-forgotten railway embodies the dedication of volunteers, the generosity of landowners, and the commitment of local authorities to preserve heritage, enhance recreation, and promote sustainable transport in rural Somerset.