Yeovil passengers have a new option for travelling 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 links the station with Glastonbury and Street, creating possible onward connections for people travelling from Yeovil.
The changes do not alter Yeovil’s own rail services. Their usefulness will depend on train arrivals and departures matching the bus timetable, so passengers making a connection should check both parts of the journey before setting off.
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 now has an accessible ramp. The ticket office has been moved to improve the movement of passengers through the building.
The waiting room has been refurbished, while historic features uncovered during the work were retained. Period-appropriate timber furniture was 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 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 work.
How the 567 bus trial could help Yeovil journeys
The 567 service is due to operate for six months, until February 2027. It connects 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. Passengers will need to allow for the time between their train arriving and the bus departing, or for the reverse connection. Passenger numbers during the trial may also affect the practical options available.
The full timetable is available through Somerset Bus Partnership. Travellers are advised to confirm the latest train and bus arrangements before leaving home because timetable changes or missed connections could affect the overall trip.
Possible future improvements at Castle Cary
Further changes are being considered at the station, 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 travelling.