Yeovil residents have a new public transport option to consider after Castle Cary railway station reopened following a six-month, £835,000 restoration. A trial bus service linking the station with Glastonbury and Street could provide onward connections for passengers travelling from Yeovil, although it does not change Yeovil’s own rail services.
Castle Cary station officially reopened on Monday 17 August. The 567 bus service is due to run for six months, until February 2027, creating a possible alternative for Yeovil passengers who use Castle Cary as part of a longer journey across Somerset.
What has changed at Castle Cary station?
The station’s original entrance is back in use with an accessible ramp. The ticket office has been relocated to improve passenger movement, while the waiting room has been refurbished.
Historic features discovered during the work were retained, and period-appropriate timber furniture was added to reflect the station’s early 20th-century character. Passengers now also 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 project 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 work.
How the 567 bus trial could affect Yeovil journeys
The 567 links Castle Cary station with Glastonbury and Street, giving Yeovil residents and other Somerset travellers more public transport choices when Castle Cary offers a suitable rail connection.
Passengers making journeys that involve changing between train and bus will need to check both services before leaving. The usefulness of the trial will partly depend on whether bus departures line up with train arrivals and departures, as well as on passenger numbers.
The full timetable is available through Somerset Bus Partnership, but the route’s practicality will vary depending on the connections available for each journey. Travellers should confirm the latest train and bus arrangements before setting off.
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, along with faster Exeter-to-London Paddington services via Taunton.
For Yeovil travellers, the reopened facilities and the 567 trial offer a possible route for onward journeys across Somerset. However, the bus will not directly alter Yeovil’s rail connections, and passengers should check the latest arrangements before travelling.