WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY Group Travel Guide 2019 Steam train travel through the countryside and along the coast. www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk call 01643 704996 or email [email protected] WELCOME Welcome... Let the West Somerset Railway look after your organisation on a group visit. We will do our best to ensure that everyone has a great day out, whatever their age or interest. We cater for groups of many sizes and backgrounds from schools to coach companies, WI’s and associations. The West Somerset Railway is Englands longest standard gauge railway running twenty miles through ten stations between Bishops Lydeard (near Taunton), and Minehead on the Somerset Coast. We offer group travel at a discounted rate which comes with the added comfort of reserved seating, so that everyone in your party can sit together. We also offer groups access to our catering menu, where your food choice can be served to your group at their seat by our dedicated and friendly catering team*. Please see our group catering page for more information including our terms and conditions. 2 WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY SOMERSET Somerset A county of contrasting beauty and places to see. The West Somerset Railway is one of the Castles? county’s major tourism attractions, and a great day out. If you are planning a longer There is break in the South West, Somerset has so impressive much to offer. Scenically, it is one of the most Dunster on the diverse series of landscapes of any English WSR route, county. There are major contrasts between the the small scale Mendips in the north east around Bath, and charm of Nunney, the Quantock Hills and Exmoor in the west. and the huge hill fort at Cadbury has long The south of the county with buildings of “Ham established connections with King Arthur. This stone” is different again ,and the Somerset is a small sample of places of interest. The Levels are a world apart, flanked by the Bristol main seaside towns are Weston-super-Mare, Channel and ranges of hills. Burnham-on-Sea and Minehead plus the lovely little coastal villages of Porlock, nestling Places of interest between Exmoor and the bay at Porlock Weir. Another fascinating village situated on the Bath is world famous, but you should not miss Levels is Muchelney with its ruined Abbey the beautiful little cathedral city of Wells and and the studio of the world-renowned potter neighbouring Glastonbury with the Abbey. John Leach, one of hundreds of artists and Close at hand to Glastonbury is Clark’s Village craftsmen who find so much inspiration from shopping outlet in Street. these diverse surroundings. Museums? So why not book a hotel for your group The Museum of Somerset is in the county booking, and take extra time to explore? town of Taunton, Yeovilton is the Museum of There is much to see and enjoy in the Land of Naval Flight and you will find Haynes Motor the Summer People! Museum in Sparkford. GROUP TRAVEL GUIDE 3 GROUP RATES Group Rates 1643_70499 Pre-booked groups of 16 passengers and TRAVEL AS LITTLE No. above receive discounted travel on the West FORTRAVEL TICKET 1643_70499 Somerset Railway. ASFOR £.50 AS LITTLE No. We offer group rates on all single and return TICKET journeys between each of our ten stations AS £.50 (Bishops Lydeard, Crowcombe Heathfield, Stogumber, Williton, Doniford Halt, Watchet, If you have a large group, it may be more Washford, Blue Anchor, Dunster and cost effective to hire an entire carriage for Minehead). Our most popular group journeys your exclusive use on a scheduled service. are single and return journeys for the full Carriage hire is only available for full length of length of the line: the line journeys. Single Price Return Price Bishops Lydeard to Minehead (or vice versa) Bishops Lydeard to Minehead (or vice versa) Adult/Seniors £12.50 Adult/Seniors £18.00 Young Person (3-17) £6.25 Young Person (3-17) £9.00 Children (Age 0-2)* FREE Children (Age 0-2)* FREE Carriage Hire (Holds up to 64 people) £600.00 Carriage Hire (Holds up to 64 people) £900.00 *Under 3’s travel for free when accompanied by a full paying adult. The ratio would need to be 1:1. Train Charter Why not charter an entire train for your group (capacity of approx 300 passengers)? Charters consist of one steam locomotive and locomotive is requested, there may be an up to six carriages, and can include an optional additional charge. Any additional coaches to staffed buffet (additional fee). Charters are charged the six provided will incur an additional cost of at the following rates dependent on mileage: £400.00 each. There will be an additional charge of £150 for a manned and licensed buffet car. If a specific Train Charter Price 20 mile Trip (i.e. Minehead to Bishops Lydeard) £1,800.00 40 mile Return trip (full length of the line) £2,700.00 80 miles or two return trips £3,300.00 4 WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY COMBINATION PACKAGES Combine packages with local attractions With the starting point of Bishops Lydeard we have: Dunster Castle Express: Make the most of your visit to the area by combining your trip with a visit to Dunster Castle. The Dunster Castle Express runs every Wednesday and Saturday, and includes train travel from Bishops Lydeard, bus ride and entrance to the castle. Picnics can be added for collection from the castle itself when pre-booked. Lynton and Lynmouth Explorer. Join the West Somerset Railway and Ridlers Coaches for a combined return steam train ride from Bishops Lydeard to Minehead Station, and coach transfer to Lynton & Lynmouth. Return afterwards to Minehead Station and enjoy an optional cream tea on the return steam train journey. On selected days throughout the season. GROUP TRAVEL GUIDE 5 TRAVEL DURING GALA EVENTS Group & Coach Company Travel during Gala Events Past experience has shown that, during our Gala events, the WSR is unable to accept group bookings in our usual manner, with seat reservations and optional catering etc. However we do not wish to disappoint potential customers, when there is a great deal to see and do along the railway itself. In addition there are attractions and places to visit along the route and the regular hourly train service makes it very easy for passengers to explore at their own pace. Museums Why not stop off to see one of our So what we are prepared to offer coach railway museums at Bishops Lydeard, companies and group organisers are Washford and Blue Anchor. discounted fare Day Rover Tickets allowing the freedom of the line for the day. They cover all train services, although there may Guide Books be additional charges for admission to such If bought in advance guide books are priced places along the way as Washford Railway at £4.50. You can give these to your group as Museum and the club room of the Taunton an extra. They are also available at our station Model Railway Group, at Bishops Lydeard shops. A smaller pictorial guide called ‘Along station. Please note that on these days, seats the Line’ is also available for £1. cannot be reserved. Discounted Rover Tickets must be ordered a minimum of 10 days before the intended day of travel to allow for processing and posting. Please note that prices on gala days are sold at a premium rate, discounts are given when booked at least 10 days in advance. For further information and prices please visit our website or call us on 01643 700398. Groups may also travel on other special event days. Please contact us for details. Pre- payment will be required. 6 WEST SOMERSET RAILWAY ACCESSIBILITY GUIDE Accesibility Ramps Width: 700 millimetres (27 inches) Accessibility Length (including footplates): 1,200 millimetres (47 inches) Weight (including passenger): Guide 230kg (36 stone), is the safe limit The West Somerset Railway welcomes of our ramps. disabled passengers and any accompanying assistance dogs. Most West Somerset Railway services can carry manual or powered wheelchairs and The Trains mobility scooters, folded if necessary, up to Most of our trains are accessible even if you the above limitations (for safety reasons): have a disability. You can move between the Boarding the Train carriages (including to the buffet car) on the level. Due to the somewhat narrow connecting It is your responsibility to load your wheelchair doors of our heritage carriages, this may stop or scooter on and off the train, and we ask you you from doing so in a wheelchair or scooter. or your travelling companion to ensure that the scooter is folded ready for boarding prior to the Booking of Accessible Coaches train’s arrival. If you require assistance, please We have three carriages, one of which can be do not hesitate to ask. added to a specific train (subject to advance If your scooter or wheelchair is oversized, we booking and availability). These three carriages have a small number of ordinary, standard are specially adapted to accommodate size wheelchairs available for loan at Bishops wheelchairs. The ‘Lorna Doone’ carriage can Lydeard, Watchet and Minehead for use whilst accommodate between 6 and 10 wheelchairs, you are travelling on the railway. whilst our ‘Golden Fox’ and other accessible carriages can accommodate six. If your wheelchair is oversized for medical reasons (but not overweight), please contact To check availability and pre-book tickets, us in advance, and we may be able to issue a please call us on 01643 700398. Additionally, permit to travel. there may be room to travel in the Guard’s van.