What To See & Do

Charming Mendip scenery, friendly people, a super day out for visitors of all ages, and your dogs too, all packed into our one mile section of a charismatic railway with a remarkable history. This is centred around an original Victorian Railway station painstakingly restored by our volunteers. Our aim is to keep the feel of a local country station as it was in the 1950s whilst providing modern facilities for our visitors.

Whether you have just an hour or two to spare or are looking for a great day out which all the family can enjoy you will be made most welcome.

The station area site plan is here, with two panoramic viewpoints shown in the circular photos.

Arriving at the station, your first view is of the historic station building. In here we have our attractive retail shop, and when the trains are running you can buy your tickets if you have not already done so via our on-line booking service. 

We strongly advise that you do book in advance, especially for special event services - see our calendar/timetable for more details.

Then we have the Goods Shed off to the side where much of our restoration work takes place. For safety reasons we cannot permit the public to go in here.

Instead, turn to the left and walk up the path which runs parallel to the road. Soon you will come to our Buffet Carriage where you can enjoy refreshments and on pleasant days sit outside on the patio, whilst admiring one of the several attractive gardens to be found all around the station.

Adjacent to our Buffet Carriage is the S&D Emporium.  This is in a former car carrying vehicle and now houses our Secondhand & Donated railway books, model railway items, jigsaws and a few pictures. 

In here you will also see our beautifully detailed working model railway which features Midsomer Norton South Station and the nearby Norton Hill Colliery, as they were in the late 1950's. 

Beyond the patio, is the Museum, housed in the former railway stables.  You will be surprised at the wealth of railway and world war exhibits.  Our knowledgeable volunteers will  show you around and answer your questions – younger visitors really enjoy this fascinating attraction.

Up the slope passed the Museum is a World War II Anderson Shelter. These home shelters would be built in gardens and equipped with beds as a refuge from air raids. At the top of the slope is a World War II Type 24 Pill Box which also houses one of the smallest museums in the country and is a must to see during your visit although do check opening times. Pill Boxes were small, fortified structures built as a part of British anti-invasion preparations. Their name is a reference to their shape.

Back to the station building you turn to your right to access the down platform.  Trains running from Bath were known as “Down Trains” and those going to Bath were “Up Trains”

Currently all our trains depart and return from the “Down Platform.

This is the platform with a display astronomical garden over the fence restored by our wonderful garden team volunteers, exactly as it used to be.

Walking over to the “Up platform” the fully restored greenhouse and signal box can be seen at the end of the platform. The signaller is always pleased to welcome visitors  and show you the remarkable technology dating back to the Victorian era which helps ensure all our trains are operated safely.

Beyond that is another attractive garden area and viewing platform. This is one of the best spots to watch the trains depart and maybe take a few photos or videos. The steam locomotives must work hard to get their trains underway, so you have every chance of taking some great shots.

There is also a conservation area of woodland adjacent to the station, where the public footpaths (brown and green) are indicated on the left-hand side of the plan, accessible by walking down the hill from the station entrance, on the same side of the road and taking the footpath entrance, first on the left.

Beyond the conservation area a footpath runs  the entire length of the railway.