Castle Cary railway station has reopened following a six-month, £835,000 restoration, giving passengers improved facilities and a new public transport option for journeys from Yeovil across Somerset.
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 movement of passengers through the building.
What has changed at Castle Cary station?
The waiting room has been refurbished and historic features found during the work have been retained. Period-appropriate timber furniture has also been added to reflect the station’s early 20th-century character.
Passengers now have more 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. Great Western Railway, the Department for Transport, the Railway Heritage Trust and Oxford Architects supported the delivery of the project.
New 567 bus link to Glastonbury and Street
A new 567 bus service is being introduced on a six-month trial running until February 2027. It links Castle Cary railway station with Glastonbury and Street, expanding the public transport choices available to people using the station.
That could make the station more useful for some Yeovil residents, particularly those making onward journeys across Somerset. However, the service does not change rail services in Yeovil, and travellers will need to check train and bus information before setting out.
The success of the trial is likely to depend partly on how well bus departures connect with train arrivals and departures, as well as on passenger numbers. The full timetable is available through Somerset Bus Partnership.
Possible future improvements
Further changes are being considered at Castle Cary 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 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, alongside faster services between Exeter and London Paddington via Taunton.
For people travelling from Yeovil, the reopening and bus trial provide another possible route to destinations across Somerset, but they do not directly alter Yeovil’s rail services. Whether the option is practical will depend on the connections available for each individual journey.