A day out for the family revisiting the halcyon days of steam awaits with this great value Family Rover ticket for a steam railway experience! The East Somerset Railway, located in the Somerset village of Cranmore near Shepton Mallet, is the terminus of the former Cheddar Valley line that ran between Witham and Yatton, before it was closed following Dr Beeching's infamous report “The Reshaping of British Railways” in March 1963. Restoration work began nine years later, in 1972, when steam enthusiast David Shepherd was looking for a place to house two locomotives he had purchased from British Rail, and reopened as a light railway in 1975, with the line being extended to Merryfield halt in 1981 and Mendip Vale in 1985. Today, the railway is run by a faithful team of steam obsessed volunteers, and offers so much for its visitors to explore. At Cranmore alone there's also a miniature railway, museum, waiting room, ticket office, shop, model shop, restaurant and art gallery to discover, as well as a signal box with a designated picnic area that's the perfect place on a nice summer's day to sit and watch the trains pass by. And the fantastic thing about the rover ticket is that you can hop off as many scheduled steam and diesel trains all day as you wish to explore all the stops at your leisure.
Buying as a gift? Frequently Asked Questions
Most customers buy a flexible voucher and book later. Here are the key things to know:
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Overview
- Ride the East Somerset Railway in Cranmore all day
- Family rover tickets
- Hop on and hop off between Cranmore and Mendip Vale
- Visit the museum, engine shed, signal box etc
What's Included
- Unlimited travel on any normal service day
- Relax and enjoy a steam ride through the beautiful Mendip countryside
- The train journey is approximately 40 minutes over a 5 mile round trip
- You are welcome to ride as many times as you like on your visit
- Visit the engine shed, workshop and David Shepherd Discovery Centre
- Allow around 3 - 5 hours for this experience
Suitable For
- Under 17s must be accompanied by a participating adult
- Family Tickets provide unlimited travel on any normal service day for two adults and two children*
*Children aged 5 - 16 years old, under 5 travel free
Anything Else
- You are more than welcome to bring family and friends, however they will be required to purchase a ticket on the day
- Home-made meals and refreshments can be purchased from the Whistlestop Café
Restrictions
Minimum Age: 5 years
Availability
- Open weekends from March to October and selected weekdays in the summer
- Vouchers are valid for most special events but not children's character visit days, Day Out with Thomas, Evening Wine and Dines or Santa Specials
How the Voucher Works
- Purchase the voucher online
- Receive your e-voucher or gift pack
- Redeem online to select location and date
- Enjoy your experience
