Yeovil residents travelling across Somerset have another public transport option to consider after Castle Cary railway station reopened following a six-month, £835,000 restoration. A new 567 bus service is also being trialled from the station to Glastonbury and Street, although it does not change Yeovil’s own rail services.
Castle Cary station officially reopened on Monday 17 August. The 567 service is due to operate for six months, until February 2027, creating a possible onward connection for people travelling from Yeovil who use Castle Cary as part of their journey.
What has changed at Castle Cary station?
The station’s original entrance has returned to use and now has an accessible ramp. The ticket office has been moved to improve passenger movement through the building, while the waiting room has been refurbished.
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 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 the project.
How the 567 bus trial could help Yeovil journeys
The 567 links Castle Cary station with Glastonbury and Street. That could widen the public transport choices available to Yeovil residents and other Somerset travellers, particularly when Castle Cary provides a suitable rail connection.
Passengers will need to check both train and bus information before setting off if their journey depends on a connection. The usefulness of the trial is likely to depend partly on whether bus departures match train arrivals and departures, as well as on passenger numbers.
The full timetable is available through Somerset Bus Partnership. The route’s practicality will vary from journey to journey, depending on the connections available.
Possible future improvements
Further changes are being considered at Castle Cary, including 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.
The station 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 Castle Cary, as well as faster Exeter-to-London Paddington services via Taunton.
For Yeovil travellers, the reopened facilities and the 567 trial offer a possible alternative for onward journeys across Somerset. However, the bus service will not directly alter Yeovil’s rail connections, so passengers should confirm the latest train and bus arrangements before travelling.