Castle Cary railway station has reopened after a six-month, £835,000 restoration, bringing improved facilities for passengers and a possible new public transport connection for people travelling from Yeovil.
The station officially reopened on Monday 17 August, following work that began six months earlier. Its original entrance is now back in use and includes an accessible ramp. The ticket office has also been moved to improve passenger movement through the building.
What has changed at Castle Cary station?
The waiting room has been refurbished, with historic features uncovered during the restoration retained. Period-appropriate timber furniture has 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 work includes 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 delivery of the project.
New 567 bus trial 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, widening the public transport options available to passengers using the station.
For Yeovil residents, the service could provide another way to make onward journeys across Somerset. However, it does not change rail services in Yeovil. Travellers will need to check train and bus information before setting out, particularly when a journey depends on making a connection.
The success of the trial is expected to depend partly on how well bus departures align 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, 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 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.
For people travelling from Yeovil, the reopened station and the 567 trial offer another possible route to destinations across Somerset. Whether that option is practical will depend on the connections available for each individual journey, and the service will not directly alter Yeovil’s rail services.