Castle Cary station has been returned to its former glory by an £835,000 restoration celebrating the history of the Great Western Railway and its early 20th-century heritage.
The station building was officially opened on Monday 17 August by Department for Transport Operator Limited (DFTO) Chair, Sir Andrew Haines.
Funded by £560,000 from the Department for Transport and £275,000 from the Railway Heritage Trust, the project has restored many of the station’s original features, while making it more accessible and welcoming for customers.
The transformation has seen the station’s original entrance reopened, alongside a new accessible ramp providing step-free access.
The ticket office has been relocated to improve customer flow and provide a more welcoming space. Historic features including fireplaces, skirting, dado rails and cornices have been uncovered, while new timber furniture and joinery complement the station’s early 20th-century character.
The station also benefits from additional seating with views of the platform, a new digital departure board and upgraded toilet facilities, including an enlarged accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities.
Sir Andrew Haines, said: “I’m delighted to have been given the opportunity to open the new and improved Castle Cary station today. It’s a great example of how we can provide meaningful benefits to the public – such as through improving accessibility and providing a new digital departure board – while remaining true to the station’s iconic heritage.
“I hope Castle Cary’s passengers are pleased with the improvements and enjoy their journeys to and from this unique station.”
Great Western Railway Managing Director, Mark Hopwood CBE, commented: “Castle Cary is a wonderful example of how we can celebrate our railway heritage while making our stations work better for today’s customers.
“We’re delighted to have worked with the Department for Transport, Railway Heritage Trust and Oxford Architects to restore the station’s historic character, while improving accessibility and the customer experience.
“We’re also proud of our close partnership with The Newt in Somerset, which is helping to create an exciting destination at Castle Cary and showcase the very best of the area’s heritage.”
Oxford Architects were appointed to lead on the design, working alongside historic railway architecture specialist David Redfern, while Bristol’s Honeyfield Property Services delivered the transformation.
Railway Heritage Trust Director, Tim Hedley-Jones, said: “We are pleased to have supported GWR with a grant for the restoration of this historic station building. The project shows that looking after our railway heritage also delivers benefits to passengers such as better accessibility and improved waiting facilities. All those who worked on this project are to be commended for their attention to period detail.”
The project forms part of GWR’s ongoing investment in Castle Cary following improvements to the western car park, a new cycle shelter and lighting upgrades completed in 2023.
It also builds on GWR’s partnership with The Newt in Somerset, whose restored 1912 Creamery next to the station includes an artisanal dairy, restaurant and farm shop.
The two organisations have worked together to celebrate Castle Cary’s heritage and improve the experience for rail users and visitors.
Image credit: GWR
