Castle Cary railway station has reopened after an £835,000 restoration, bringing back its original entrance, improving step-free access and upgrading facilities for passengers. A new six-month bus trial linking the station with Glastonbury and Street has also begun.
The development does not directly change services in Yeovil, but it may be relevant to Yeovil residents travelling through Castle Cary. Passengers are advised to check the latest train and bus information before setting off.
What has changed at Castle Cary station?
The restored station building includes a new accessible ramp at the original entrance, allowing passengers to enter without using steps. The ticket office has been relocated to improve the flow of people through the building.
The waiting room has been refurbished, with historic features uncovered during the work. Period-appropriate timber furniture has also been installed to reflect the station’s early 20th-century character.
Passengers now have additional seating on the main platform, a digital departure board and upgraded toilet facilities. The improvements include a larger accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities.
The station building was officially reopened on Monday 17 August by Sir Andrew Haines, chairman of Department for Transport Operator Limited. The six-month project was funded by £560,000 from the Department for Transport and £275,000 from the Railway Heritage Trust.
New bus service to Glastonbury and Street
The wider transport offer has expanded with the launch of the 567 bus service. The trial connects Castle Cary with Glastonbury and Street and is due to run until February 2027.
Somerset Council’s highways and transport portfolio holder, Councillor Richard Wilkins, has encouraged residents to use the service. The full timetable is available through Somerset Bus Partnership.
The council says the trial’s success will depend on passenger numbers and how effectively bus departures connect with train times. That means travellers may need to check both parts of their journey before travelling.
Possible future improvements
Further changes are being considered at the station. These include a possible third car park to meet rising passenger numbers and additional step-free access through the Department for Transport’s Access for All programme.
Castle Cary handles more than 370,000 passengers a year and is described as the main rail hub for large parts of eastern Somerset. Great Western Railway operates Bristol to Weymouth trains from the station, along with faster services between Exeter and London Paddington via Taunton.
The project was delivered with support from Great Western Railway, the Department for Transport, the Railway Heritage Trust and Oxford Architects. The Newt in Somerset, which operates an artisan dairy, restaurant and farm shop beside the station in the restored 1912 Creamery building, is also part of the partnership around the station.