Group Travel 2018 Steam Train Travel Along the Exmoor Coast and Through the Somerset Countryside
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West Somerset Railway Group Travel 2018 Steam train travel along the Exmoor coast and through the Somerset countryside. Photographs courtesy of Julia Amies Green Photography www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk Welcome... Somerset County of contrasting beauty and places to see Let the West Somerset Railway Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton), and Minehead on The West Somerset Railway is one of the county’s major tourism attractions, and a great day look after your organisation on a out. If you are planning a longer break in the South West, Somerset has so much to offer. the Somerset Coast. group visit. Scenically, it is one of the most diverse series of landscapes of any English county. There are major We offer group travel at a discounted rate contrasts between the Mendips in the north east around Bath, and the Quantock Hills and Exmoor in the We will do our best to ensure that everyone which comes with the added comfort of west. The south of the county with buildings of “Ham stone” is different again ,and the Somerset Levels are has a great day out, whatever their age or a world apart, flanked by the Bristol Channel and ranges of hills. reserved seating, so that everyone in your interest. We cater for groups of many sizes party can all sit together and have access Places of interest and backgrounds from schools to coach to our catering menu, where you can be Bath is world famous, but you should not miss the beautiful little cathedral city of Wells and neighbouring companies, WI’s and associations. Glastonbury with the Abbey. Close at hand to Glastonbury is Clark’s Village shopping outlet in Street. served your food choice at your seat by our The West Somerset Railway is Britain’s dedicated and friendly catering team*. Museums? longest standard gauge railway running Please see our group catering page for The Museum of Somerset is in the county town of Taunton, Yeovilton is the Museum of Naval Flight and you will find Haynes Motor Museum in Sparkford. twenty miles through ten stations between more information. Castles? *T’s and C’s apply 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. The main seaside towns are Weston-super-Mare, Burnham-on-Sea and Minehead plus the lovely little coastal villages of 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 Combine packages Group Rates FROM JUST Pre-booked groups of 16 passengers and above receive £11 with local attractions discounted travel on the West Somerset Railway. We offer group rates on all single and return journeys between each of our ten stations (Bishops Lydeard, With the starting point of Bishops Lydeard we have: Crowcombe Heathfield, Stogumber, Williton, Doniford Halt, Watchet, Washford, Blue Anchor, Dunster and Minehead). Our most popular group journeys are single and return journeys for the full length of the line: 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 Dunster Castle Express runs every Wednesday Bishops Lydeard to Minehead Bishops Lydeard to Minehead and Saturday, and includes train travel from Bishops Lydeard, bus ride and entrance to the castle. Picnics can be added for collection from the (or vice versa) (or vice versa) 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, and coach transfer to Lynton & Lynmouth. Return afterwards to Minehead *Under 5’s travel for free when accompanied by a full paying adult. The ratio would need to be 1:1. Station and enjoy an optional cream tea on the return steam train journey. If you have a large group, it may be more cost effective to hire an entire carriage for your exclusive use on a On selected days throughout the season. scheduled service. Carriage hire is only available for full length of the line journeys. Unable to make the specified days, but the package looks attractive? Talk to us about tailoring it to your needs such as using your own coach for transfers if you wish. Train Charter Why not charter an entire train for your group (capacity of approx 300 passengers)? Charters consist of one steam locomotive and up to six carriages, and can include an optional staffed buffet (additional fee). Charters are charged at the following rates dependent on mileage: 20 mile Trip (i.e. Minehead to Bishops Lydeard) £1,650.00 40 mile Return trip (full length of the line) £2,200.00 80 miles or two return trips £3,300.00 There will be an additional charge of £150 for a manned and licensed buffet car. 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. Main image: The Village and Castle Tower of Dunster 4 GROUP TRAVEL GUIDE GROUP TRAVEL GUIDE 5 Accessible Guide The West Somerset Railway welcomes Boarding the Train disabled passengers and any It is your responsibility to load your wheelchair or scooter on and off the train, and we ask you accompanying assistance dogs. or your travelling companion to ensure that the Group & Coach Company Travel during Gala Events The Trains scooter is folded ready for boarding prior to the Most of our trains are accessible even if you train’s arrival. If you require assistance, please do Past experience has shown that, during our not hesitate to ask. Gala events, the WSR is unable to accept have a disability. You can move between the group bookings in our usual manner, with carriages (including to the buffet car) on the level. If your scooter or wheelchair is oversized, we seat reservations and optional catering etc. Due to the somewhat narrow connecting doors have a small number of ordinary, standard size of our heritage carriages, this may stop you from wheelchairs available for loan at Bishops Lydeard, However we do not wish to disappoint potential doing so in a wheelchair or scooter. customers, when there is a great deal to see and Watchet and Minehead for use whilst you are on do along the railway itself. In addition there are Booking of Accessible Coaches travelling on the railway. attractions and places to visit along the route We have three carriages, one of which can be If your wheelchair is oversized for medical and the regular hourly train service makes it very added to a specific train (subject to advance reasons (but not overweight), please contact us easy for passengers to explore at their own pace. booking and availability). These three in advance, and we may be able to issue a carriages are specially adapted to accommodate So what we are prepared to offer coach permit to travel. wheelchairs. The ‘Lorna Doone’ carriage can companies and group organisers are discounted accommodate between 6 and 10 wheelchairs, fare Day Rover Tickets allowing the freedom of whilst our ‘Golden Fox’ and other accessible the line for the day. They cover all train services, carriages can accommodate six. although there may be additional charges for To check availability and pre-book tickets, please admission to such places along the way as call us on 01643 700398. Additionally, there may Washford Railway Museum and the club room of Museums be room to travel in the Guard’s van. Please ask for assistance if it would help. the Taunton Model Railway Group, at Bishops Why not stop off to see one of our We are here to ensure you enjoy your day! Most West Somerset Railway services can carry Lydeard station. Please note that on these days, railway museums at Bishops Lydeard, manual or powered wheelchairs and mobility Please view our website for accessibility seats cannot be reserved. Washford and Blue Anchor. scooters, folded if necessary, up to the above at stations and for more information. Discounted Rover Tickets must be ordered limitations (for safety reasons): a minimum of 10 days before the intended day of travel to allow for processing and posting. Width: 700 millimetres (27 inches) Please note that prices on gala days are sold at Length (including footplates): a premium rate, discounts are given when 1,200 millimetres (47 inches) booked at least 10 days in advance. Weight (including passenger): 230kg For further information and prices please visit our website or call us on 01643 700398. (36 stone), the safe limit of our ramps. Groups may also travel on other special event days. Please contact us for details. Pre-payment will be required. Guide Books If bought in advance guide books are priced at £4.50.