Castle Cary railway station has reopened after a six-month, £835,000 restoration, giving Yeovil residents who travel via the station improved facilities and a new public transport connection to Glastonbury and Street.
The station officially reopened on Monday 17 August. Its original entrance is back in use with an accessible ramp, while the ticket office has been moved to improve the flow of passengers through the building.
What has changed at Castle Cary station?
The waiting room has been refurbished, with historic features found during the work retained. 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 restoration was funded by £560,000 from the Department for Transport and £275,000 from the Railway Heritage Trust. It was delivered with support from Great Western Railway, the Department for Transport, the Railway Heritage Trust and Oxford Architects.
Trial 567 bus service links station with Glastonbury and Street
A new 567 bus service is being introduced as a six-month trial running until February 2027. It connects Castle Cary railway station with Glastonbury and Street, expanding the choices available to people travelling through the station.
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.
Yeovil passengers should check train and bus information before setting out. The usefulness of the trial will depend partly on how well bus departures connect with train arrivals and departures, as well as passenger numbers.
Possible future station improvements
Further changes are being considered, including a possible third car park to meet rising passenger numbers. Additional step-free access could also be delivered through the Department for Transport’s Access for All programme.
Castle Cary handles more than 370,000 passengers each 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 changes do not directly alter rail services in Yeovil. However, they could offer another option for Yeovil residents travelling to destinations across Somerset, provided the train and bus connections work for their journeys.