Group Travel 2017 Steam Train Travel Along the Exmoor Coast and Through the Somerset Countryside
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
West Somerset Railway Group Travel 2017 Steam train travel along the Exmoor coast and through the Somerset countryside. Front page photographs courtesy of Julia Amies Green Photography www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk Welcome... Somerset Let the West Somerset Railway Bishops Lydeard (near County of contrasting beauty and places to see look after your organisation on a Taunton), and Minehead on The West Somerset Railway is one of the county’s major tourism attractions and a great day out group visit. the Somerset Coast. but, if you are planning a longer break in South West England, Somerset has much to offer. We offer groups their travel at a discounted We will do our best to ensure that everyone Scenically it has one of the most diverse series of landscapes of any English county. There are major rate and this comes with the added comfort has a great day out, whatever their age or contrasts between the Mendips in the north east around Bath and the Quantock Hills and Exmoor in the of reserved seating, so that your group can west (and most of Exmoor is in Somerset). The south of the county with buildings of “Ham stone” is interest. We cater for groups of many sizes all sit together and have access to our party different again and the Somerset Levels are a world apart, flanked by the Bristol Channel and ranges of hills. and backgrounds from school groups to catering menu, where you can be served coach companies WI’s and associations. Places of interest abound. Bath is world famous, but you should not miss the beautiful little cathedral city your food choice at your seat by our of Wells and neighbouring Glastonbury with the Abbey. Close at hand to Glastonbury is Clark’s Village The West Somerset Railway is Britain’s dedicated and friendly catering team*. shopping outlet in Street. Museums? The Museum of Somerset is in the county town of Taunton, longest standard gauge railway running Please see our group catering page for Yeovilton is the Museum of Naval Flight and you will find Haynes Motor Museum in Sparkford. Castles? twenty miles through ten stations between more information. There is impressive Dunster on the WSR route, the small scale charm of Nunney, and the huge hill fort at Cadbury has long established connections with King Arthur. This is a small sample of places of interest. *T’s and C’s apply The main seaside towns are Weston-super-Mare, Burnham-on-Sea and Minehead but please don’t over- Photograph courtesy of Julia Amies Green Photography look such lovely little coastal villages as Porlock, nestling between Exmoor and the bay at Porlock Weir. Another fascinating village situated on the Levels is Muchelney with its ruined Abbey and the studio of the world-renowned potter John Leach, one of hundreds of artists and craftsmen who find so much inspiration from these diverse surroundings. So why not book a hotel for your group booking and take extra time to explore? There is much to see and enjoy in the Land of the Summer People. 2 GROUP TRAVEL GUIDE GROUP TRAVEL GUIDE 3 TRAVEL Group Rates FROM JUST Combine packages Pre-booked groups of 16 passengers and above receive £11 discounted travel on the West Somerset Railway. with local attractions We offer group rates on all single and return journeys between each of our ten stations (Bishops With the starting point of Bishops Lydeard we have: Lydeard, Crowcombe Heathfield, Stogumber, Williton, Doniford Halt, Watchet, Washford, Blue Anchor, Dunster and Minehead). Our most popular group journeys are full length of the line singles and returns: Dunster Castle Express: Make the most of your visit to the area by combining your trip with a visit SINGLE RETURN to Dunster Castle. The normal Dunster Castle Express happens every Bishops Lydeard to Minehead Bishops Lydeard to Minehead Wednesday and Saturday and includes your train travel from Bishops Lydeard, bus ride and entrance to the castle. Picnics can be added for (or vice versa) (or vice versa) collection from the castle itself when pre-booked. £11.00 Adult/Seniors £16.00 Adult/Seniors £5.50 Young Persons (Age 5 – 17) £8.00 Young Persons (Age 5 – 17) Lynton and Lynmouth Explorer. £FREE Children (Age 0-4)*. £FREE Children (Age 0-4)*. Join the West Somerset Railway and Ridlers Coaches for a combined £500 Carriage Hire (Holds up to 64 people) £800 Carriage Hire (Holds up to 64 people) return steam train ride from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead Station, Ridlers Coach transfer from there to Lynton & Lynmouth, returning after *Under 5’s travel for free when accompanied by a full paying adult. The ratio would need to be 1:1. to Minehead Station and an optional cream tea on the return steam train If you have a large group it may work out more cost effective to hire a whole carriage for your journey. On selected days throughout the season. exclusive use on a scheduled service. Carriage hire is only available for full length of the line journeys. Starting from Minehead: Hestercombe Express. Every Wednesday we have our Hestercombe Express, where your journey begins on the West Somerset Railway - join us at any station and wind your way along the coast and through gentle countryside to the pretty village of Bishops Lydeard. Here, you will be met by our special heritage bus and travel in comfort to Hestercombe. Hestercombe is a unique combination of three period gardens: the Georgian Landscape Garden, Victorian Terrace & Shrubbery and the Edwardian Formal Garden, designed by Gertrude Jekyll and Edwin Lutyens. With over 50 acres to explore and an exciting programme of events, there’s lots to see and do. Can’t make the specified days but the package looks attractive? Train Charter Talk to us about tailoring it to your needs such as using Why not charter a whole train for your group (capacity of approx 300 passengers)? your own coach for transfers if you wish. Charters consist of one steam locomotive and up to six carriages and can include an optional staffed buffet (additional fee). Main image: The Village and Castle Tower of Dunster Charters are charged at the following rates dependent on mileage: 20 Mile Trip (i.e. Minehead to Bishops Lydeard) £1650.00 40 Mile Return trip (full length of line) £2200.00 80 Miles – or two return trips £3300.00 If a specific locomotive is requested there may be an additional charge. Any additional coaches to the six provided will incur an additional cost of £400.00 each. 4 GROUP TRAVEL GUIDE GROUP TRAVEL GUIDE 5 Width: 700 millimetres (27 inches) Accessible Guide Length (including footplates): 1,200 millimetres (47 inches) The West Somerset Railway welcomes Weight (including passenger): 230kg passengers who have a disability and (36 stone), the safe limit of our ramps. any accompanying assistance dogs. Even if your mobility is limited, most of Size Restrictions Group & Coach Company Travel during Gala Events our stations are accessible to you. Most West Somerset Railway services can carry Past experience has shown that, during our manual or powered wheelchairs and mobility Gala events, the WSR is unable to accept The Trains scooters, folded if necessary, up to the above group bookings in our usual manner, with Most of our trains are accessible even if you limitations (for safety reasons): seat reservations and optional catering etc. have a disability. You can move between the Boarding the Train However we do not wish to disappoint potential carriages (including to the buffet car) on the level, It is your responsibility to load your wheelchair customers, when there is a great deal to see and but the somewhat narrow connecting doors of or scooter on and off the train and we ask you do along the railway itself. In addition there are our heritage carriages, stop you from doing so in or your travelling companion to ensure that the attractions and places to visit along the route a wheelchair or scooter. scooter is folded ready for boarding prior to the and the regular train service makes it very easy Booking of Accessible Coaches train’s arrival. If you require help, please do not for passengers to explore at their own pace. We have three carriages which can be added to hesitate to ask. So what we are prepared to offer coach a specific train (subject to advance booking and If your scooter or wheelchair is oversize, we have companies and group organisers are discounted availability). These three carriages are specially a small number of ordinary, standard size fare Day Rover Tickets which allow the freedom adapted to accommodate wheelchairs. wheelchairs available for loan at Bishops Lydeard, of the line for the day. They cover all train services The ‘Lorna Doone’ carriage can accommodate Watchet and Minehead for your use whilst you although there may be extra charges for between 6 and 10 wheelchairs, depending on are on the railway. admission to such places along the way as size and our ‘Golden Fox’ another accessible Washford Railway Museum and the club room of Museums carriage can accommodate 4. If your wheelchair is oversize for medical reasons Why not stop off to see one of our the Taunton Model Railway Group at Bishops To check availability and to pre-book, please call (but not overweight), please contact us in railway museums at Bishops Lydeard, Lydeard station. Please note that on these days us on 01643 704996. Additionally, there may be advance of travel and we may be able to issue a Washford and Blue Anchor. seats cannot be reserved. room to travel in the Guard’s van.