Up until 1966, the countryside was interlaced with railway lines that connected the villages with the towns and cities. The trains carried milk , cheese, cream, farm produce, as well as passengers to Bath and Bristol and holiday makers down to Bournemouth. Farmers would have put their milk churns into our wagon at Evercreech Junction in the valley below and taken it to Burnham On Sea, stopping at all these stations, most of which are now closed:

Evercreech, Pylle, West Pennard, Wells, Glastonbury, Ashcott, Shapwick, Edington, Bason Bridge, Highbridge, Burnham On Sea, Cole, Wincanton, Hensbridge, Stalbridge, Sturminster Newton, Shiilingstone; Shepton-Mallet, Downside, Maesbury, Binegar, Chilcompton, Misummer Norton, Radstock, Wellow, Midford Bath, Blandford Forum, Spetisbury, Bailey Gate, Corfe Mullen, Broadstone, Poole, Partktone, Branksome and Bournemouth.

Do listen to ‘The Slow Train’ by Flanders and Swann who elegiacally record the passing of these great railway systems.

On a happier note, all these wonderful neighbouring villages and small towns remain and will be fun to visit and enjoy during your stay.