Yeovil travellers have a new public transport option for journeys across Somerset after Castle Cary railway station reopened following a six-month restoration costing £835,000. A trial of the 567 bus service is also linking the station with Glastonbury and Street, creating possible onward travel options for people travelling from Yeovil.
The changes do not alter Yeovil’s own rail services. Their usefulness will depend on whether train arrivals and departures line up with the bus timetable, so passengers making a connection should check both parts of their 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 with an accessible ramp, while the ticket office has been moved to improve the movement of passengers through the building.
The waiting room has been refurbished and historic features uncovered 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 improvements also include a larger accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities.
The project received £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 journeys from Yeovil
The 567 service is due to operate for six months, until February 2027. It links 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.
However, the service will not be equally useful for every journey. Passengers will need to consider the time between their train arriving and the bus departing, or the reverse connection, as well as passenger numbers during the trial. Practical travel options may therefore vary depending on the journey being made.
The full timetable is available through Somerset Bus Partnership. Travellers should confirm the latest train and bus arrangements before leaving home, as timetable changes or missed connections could affect the overall trip.
Possible future improvements
Further changes are being considered at Castle Cary, 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.
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 passengers, the reopened facilities and the 567 trial offer a possible route for onward journeys across Somerset. The bus does not directly change Yeovil’s rail connections, making it particularly important to check the latest arrangements for both sections of a trip before travelling.