Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard
Visit The Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard, located in a beautifully restored and modernized 19th century GWR goods shed. The world-class museum offers interactive exhibits, compelling displays, a stunning collection of locomotives and rolling stock, and extensive artifacts from the golden age of British railways, making it a must-visit attraction for train enthusiasts and history buffs alike.
In 2017 the WSRHT took on the responsibility for managing the Gauge Museum at Bishops Lydeard and Blue Anchor (two museums, one site). The museum at Bishops Lydeard is situated within the former GWR Goods shed on Platform 1. We successfully applied for lottery funding to redevelop the museum. This refurbishment was completed in early 2021.
The Gauge Museum aims to promote education by furthering interest in and appreciation of railway lines, equipment, buildings, and construction and steam or other traction engines of historical engineering or scientific importance. Bishops Lydeard goods shed, originally built in 1862, supported the economic and social developments locally by enabling the speedy transportation and delivery of goods by rail.
There will be periods when the museum is unstaffed, and visitors show themselves around, and days when volunteers are on hand to conduct visitors through the sleeping car, demonstrate the working of the model railway, the facsimile of Powderham Signal Box and bring some of the stories to life for visitors.
Calling to NEW volunteers
The Trust is manned by volunteers and financed by donations from visitors. We are always welcome to anyone wishing to volunteer or even make a donation to the Trust; if you have some spare time or spare cash why not contact us?
Contact UsMembership
How do I visit the Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard?
The Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard is open on West Somerset Railway running days, it is also possible to hold small functions or to make special opening arrangements outside of these times – see the Contacts page if you require further details.
GWR Sleeping Car 9038 is normally open whenever the Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard is open by the Heritage Trust stewards. It is sometimes possible to make special opening arrangements – see the Contacts page if you require further details.
The Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard is supported by Bishops Lydeard station staff and by the Friends of Bishops Lydeard Station. The museum is run by volunteers and financed by donations from visitors; admission is free.
