Castle Cary railway station has reopened after a six-month, £835,000 restoration, with improved accessibility, refurbished passenger facilities and a new bus connection serving Glastonbury and Street.
The reopening does not change rail services in Yeovil. However, Yeovil residents who use Castle Cary for journeys may want to check train and bus information before travelling, as the new connections will need to work around train arrival and departure times.
What has changed at Castle Cary station?
The station’s original entrance is back in use and now has an accessible ramp, allowing passengers to enter without steps. The ticket office has been relocated to improve the flow of people through the building.
The waiting room has also been refurbished. Historic features found during the work were retained, while period-appropriate timber furniture was 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 improvements include a larger accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities.
The building was officially reopened on Monday 17 August by Sir Andrew Haines, chairman of Department for Transport Operator Limited. The project was funded by £560,000 from the Department for Transport and £275,000 from the Railway Heritage Trust.
New 567 bus trial to Glastonbury and Street
The new 567 bus service expands the transport options around Castle Cary. It links the railway station with Glastonbury and Street and is due to operate as a six-month trial until February 2027.
Somerset Council’s highways and transport portfolio holder, Councillor Richard Wilkins, has encouraged residents to use the service. The full timetable is available through Somerset Bus Partnership.
The council says the trial will depend on passenger numbers and on how effectively bus departures connect with train times. Travellers may therefore need to check both parts of their journey before leaving home.
Possible future improvements
Further changes are being considered, including a possible third car park to meet rising passenger numbers. More 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 a 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.
The restoration was delivered with support from Great Western Railway, the Department for Transport, the Railway Heritage Trust and Oxford Architects. The Newt in Somerset, which operates an artisan dairy, restaurant and farm shop beside the station in the restored 1912 Creamery building, is also part of the partnership around the station.