Castle Cary railway station has reopened after a £835,000 restoration, bringing improved accessibility, refurbished passenger facilities and a new six-month bus trial connecting the station with Glastonbury and Street.
The reopening is not a direct change to rail services in Yeovil. However, Yeovil residents who use Castle Cary for journeys are advised to check the latest train and bus information before setting off, because the new bus connections will need to work around train departure and arrival times.
What has changed at Castle Cary station?
The station’s original entrance has been brought back into use and now includes an accessible ramp, allowing passengers to enter without using steps. The ticket office has also been moved to improve the flow of people through the building.
Inside, the waiting room has been refurbished. Historic features uncovered during the work have been retained, while period-appropriate timber furniture has been added to reflect the station’s early 20th-century character.
Passengers now have extra 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 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 Castle Cary bus service to Glastonbury and Street
The wider transport offer has expanded with the launch of the 567 bus service. The trial links 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. Travellers may therefore need to check both sections of their journey before leaving home.
Possible future improvements
Further changes are being considered at the station, including a possible third car park to meet rising passenger numbers. Additional step-free access could also be provided 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, as well as 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.