Name: East Somerset Railway
Rating: 5.0

East Somerset Railway

Cranmore Station, Cranmore, Shepton Mallet, Somerset and Bristol, BA4 4QP, England

1-90 Years

Paid

Website

Contact

Message

Description

East Somerset Railway is a historic heritage steam railway located in Cranmore, near Shepton Mallet in Somerset. First opened in 1855, it offers visitors the chance to experience traditional steam rail travel in the Mendip countryside. The railway is suitable for families, railway enthusiasts, walkers, and visitors looking for a relaxed outdoor attraction.

Visitors can enjoy a steam train ride from Cranmore to the end of the line, with the option to walk back through the scenic Mendip countryside using public footpaths and quiet lanes. The site also includes a miniature railway (running on selected dates), a railway museum and shop, and East Somerset Railway Models, Somerset’s only specialist N Gauge model railway shop. Special experiences include the Driver Taster Experience, DMU Driver Taster, and Steaming for Fifteen, allowing visitors to take the controls of real locomotives under expert guidance.

Day Rover ticket prices are £15.00 for adults, £10.00 for children (5–17), with family tickets priced at £42.00 (2 adults) and £32.00 (1 adult). Season tickets range from £40.00 to £168.00, while experience prices are £295 for Driver Taster, £195 for DMU Driver Taster, and £15.00 for Steaming for Fifteen.

East Somerset Railway offers a peaceful and authentic heritage railway experience set in beautiful countryside. The combination of steam rides, walking routes, hands-on experiences, and family-friendly facilities makes it enjoyable for all ages. With free parking, a station café, and unique railway activities, it is a rewarding day out for visitors to Somerset.

Features

Paid
Host birthday parties: No

Features

Miniature Railway: The East Somerset Railway is home to a miniature railway which runs alongside part of the main track. There is a small but passionate group of volunteers, who maintain and run the railway as a separate group. It is open on selected dates throughout the season and visitors are able to enjoy this for a charge. All money taken by The Miniature Railway goes directly towards the cost of its maintenance.
Driver Taster Experience: The distinctive sound of a steam locomotive as it climbs the 1 in 56 incline back to Cranmore Station and the roaring furnace firing the engine. Our Driver Taster Experience gives you the chance to enjoy the excitement of driving and firing a steam locomotive, under the guidance of our skilled and dedicated footplate crews.
DMU Driver Taster: Join our crew in the cab and see how they operate their wonderful DMU, with hands on tuition from our experienced Driver, before taking the controls yourself. Did you sit behind the driver on a Diesel Multiple Unit as a child, looking through the big cab windows wishing you could go ‘up front’? Our DMU Driver Taster Session gives you the opportunity to ride with the Driver and watch how to control the train, before you get the chance to drive over the steeply graded route yourself.
Steaming For Fifteen: Fancy a taster of what it is like to drive a locomotive? Well you can with our Driver for fifteen pounds on selected days. For just £15 you can take the control of a steam locomotive in the sidings.'Steaming for Fifteen' is run with the small engine, lady nan.

Facilities

Parking: Free parking available.
Food & Drinks: The Station Café offer a selection of cakes, sandwiches, toasties, breakfasts and daily specials along with crisps, biscuits, teas, coffees and soft drinks.

Website

Contact

Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

DAY ROVER TICKETS

Adult: £15.00
Registered Carers or Disabled Adult: £12.00
Child (5–17): £10.00
Registered Disabled Child (5–17): £9.00
2 Adult Family: £42.00
1 Adult Family: £32.00

SEASON TICKETS

Adult: £60.00
Registered Carers or Disabled Adult: £48.00
Child (5–17): £40.00
Registered Disabled Child (5–17): £36.00
2 Adult Family: £168.00
1 Adult Family: £128.00

Experience

Driver Taster Experience: £295 (1.5 HOUR SESSION)
DMU Driver Taster: £195 (1.5 HOUR SESSION)
Steaming For Fifteen: £15

Pricing URL: https://eastsomersetrailway.com/tickets

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

On Days we are in Steam

Ticket Office: 9.30am - 3.30pm.
Shop: 9.30am - 3.30pm.
Station Café: 9.30am - 3.30pm.

On days we are not in Steam

Office & Shop: Monday – Friday, 9.30am - 3.30pm.
Station Café: Wednesday - Sunday, 9:30am - 3:30pm

Address: Cranmore Station, Cranmore, Shepton Mallet, Somerset and Bristol, BA4 4QP, England

Post Code: BA4 4QP

Council: Somerset

County: Somerset

By Car: There are ESR signs and brown road signs for visitors approaching from the east and west off the A361 between Shepton Mallet and Frome. There are no signs from Waterlip. Please go through the village, beyond is a straight piece of road with houses on your left and a playing field on your right, when you reach the crossroads go straight across, this takes you to the village of Cranmore and stay on this road until you see the ESR main entrance on your right.
By Bus: Cranmore village is only served Monday - Friday by bus No.162 between Frome and Shepton Mallet and stops a few minutes walk away from the railway. National Express Coaches run regular coach services from major UK cities to Wells, Shepton Mallet and Frome.
By Train: The nearest mainline railway stations are Frome and Castle Cary, both around 9 miles from Cranmore. They are served by First Great Western between Bristol and Weymouth and Castle Cary is also served from London and Exeter.