Yeovil passengers have a new public transport option for journeys across Somerset after Castle Cary railway station reopened following a six-month restoration costing £835,000. A six-month trial of the 567 bus service now connects the station with Glastonbury and Street, creating possible onward travel options when train and bus times line up.
The changes do not alter Yeovil’s own rail services. Their usefulness will depend on the timing of train arrivals and departures, so passengers planning to connect at Castle Cary should check both parts of the journey before leaving home.
What has changed at Castle Cary station?
The station officially reopened on Monday 17 August after the restoration work. Its original entrance is back in use and includes an accessible ramp. The ticket office has been moved to improve the flow of passengers through the building.
The waiting room has been refurbished, and historic features found during the work were retained. Period-appropriate timber furniture was also 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 project also delivered a larger accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities.
Funding included £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 project.
How the 567 bus trial could affect Yeovil journeys
The 567 service is due to run for six months, until February 2027. It links Castle Cary station with Glastonbury and Street, giving Yeovil residents and other Somerset travellers another public transport choice when a suitable rail connection is available from Castle Cary.
It will not be equally useful for every journey. Travellers will need to allow time between a train arriving and the bus departing, or between the bus arriving and a connecting train leaving. Passenger numbers during the trial may also affect the practical options available.
The full timetable is available through Somerset Bus Partnership. Passengers are advised to confirm the latest train and bus arrangements before travelling, as timetable changes or missed connections could affect the whole trip.
Possible future improvements
Further changes are being considered at Castle Cary, including a possible third car park in response to rising passenger numbers. Additional step-free access is also being considered 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, as well as faster Exeter-to-London Paddington services via Taunton.
For Yeovil travellers, the reopened facilities and the 567 trial provide a possible route for onward journeys across Somerset. The bus does not directly change Yeovil’s rail connections, making it important to check the latest arrangements for both sections of a trip before setting off.