Planning a School Visit
The Railway and Museums are open between March and October and have specific train times. Schools can visit during this time. We offer educational services throughout the year, such as school sessions and digital resources. You can visit the Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard at Bishops Lydeard Station to learn about the history of the West Somerset Railway, including its connection to Brunel, the Industrial Revolution, and local economy. You can solve interactive puzzles, view exhibits, use a touchscreen archive, see a working signal box, and visit a Victorian sleeping carriage.
To plan your visit, download the Teacher’s Information Booklet for more information.
The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust (WSRHT) is pleased to offer a wide range of Museum Learning Sessions to enhance visitors’ experiences.
Our Learning Programme provides a comprehensive list of available sessions. To book a Learning Session, please contact our Education and Learning Officer at helen.anson@wsrht.co.uk. For your convenience, you may download our Terms and Conditions for School Visits. Thank you for considering the WSRHT as your educational destination and we look forward to welcoming you soon.
While you’re at the Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard, you can also take a ride on a restored steam or diesel locomotive through the Somerset countryside. There are different routes available, so you can choose what fits your schedule and budget. To get more information or book a train ride, contact our booking team by phone (01643 700398) or email (groups@wsrail.net).
The Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard occupies a 19th-century goods shed, which limits the available space. For school visits, our lower floor exhibition area offers a comfortable carpeted seating area and a large digital screen. Additionally, we provide storage facilities for children’s belongings during their visit. However, due to the size constraints of the museum, it may be necessary to divide classes into smaller groups for each activity. Despite these limitations, we strive to provide an enriching experience for all visitors.
The age of our building means that unfortunately the Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard has some access limitations. The ground floor exhibition space is fully accessible to wheelchair users and the lower floor education space can be reached via a rear entrance. Unfortunately, there is currently no access to the model railway exhibition on the mezzanine floor.
Our Victorian sleeping carriage has extremely narrow corridors and unfortunately does not offer a wide enough turning circle for wheelchairs.
Please always make us aware of any wheelchair users or visitors with specific needs at the time of booking or before the day of your visit.
Teachers should please note that, unfortunately, the Gauge Museum does not have toilet facilities on site, but that toilets are available on the other side of the Bishops Lydeard platform with disabled access. We would suggest that you plan toilet visits into your schedule as there is a significant walk involved. If you have concerns or questions about this, don’t hesitate to contact our Education and Learning Officer.
- Bishops Lydeard*
- Stogumber*
- Watchet*
- Dunster
- * Toilets with disabled access
- Crowcombe Heathfield*
- Williton
- Blue Anchor
- Minehead*
The picnic area is conveniently located a short distance from the station and adjacent to the main car park. It is well-equipped with picnic benches and play equipment. In the event of unfavorable weather conditions, children have the option of consuming their lunches in either the learning space in the museum or the station waiting room. If preferred, lunch can also be had on the train. We would like to draw your attention to the café located opposite the museum at the station that serves a variety of drinks and light bites.
Please note that it is the responsibility of the teacher to ensure that pupils conduct themselves appropriately during lunchtime. We kindly request that you dispose of any litter prior to leaving the area, and if additional cleaning resources or bin bags are required, please do not hesitate to request them.
Children are welcome to visit the Bishops Lydeard Station shop which sells a selection of railway related souvenirs. Please be aware that standard conditions still apply during a shop visit i.e. minimum supervision ratios need to be adhered to and behaviour of pupils closely monitored.
The West Somerset Railway places a high priority on ensuring the safety and well-being of children and young people within our organisation. We hold a strong commitment to protecting and promoting their welfare, and it is imperative that all members, including staff, volunteers and visitors, adhere to this pledge.
The WSRHT has a strict policy that forbids the photography and filming of school children by general visitors during organised school visits to the Museum. Should any visitor be found taking photographs of children inappropriately, they must be approached and challenged.
However, we extend a warm welcome to teachers who wish to take photographs of the children while in the Museum or on the platform. Our priority is to ensure the safety and security of everyone who visits and works at the Museum. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in maintaining a safe and positive environment for all.
We can provide Risk Assessments for all educational activities within the Gauge Museum. Please note that these are written from the Museum’s perspective and we recommend that all potential Group Leaders also conduct their own risk assessments during your familiarisation visit. Click here for a copy of our Risk Assessments
Please ensure you read our Risk Assessments for school visitors before your visit and brief all accompanying adults and, where appropriate, the children.
We require that schools observe a minimum supervision ratio of 1 to 6 at KS1, 1 to 8 at KS2 and 1 to 12 at KS3 and above. This is also the maximum group walkabout number. Classes are to be divided into small groups (as above) with a competent or trained or qualified adult responsible for the supervision and behavior of each group at all times. The behaviour and supervision of the pupils on the West Somerset Railway is the responsibility of the teacher.
Adults are to remain with their designated group at ALL times.
If you plan to visit WSR, we suggest that you visit the museum beforehand to get familiar with it. It’s free to get in, but please check our website for the opening hours to avoid any trouble. If you need more information, let our Learning Officer know beforehand.
Along with your students, you are welcome to join the familiarisation visit, which helps ensure your visit runs smoothly. Although we provide Risk Assessments, it’s still important to do your own assessment as well.
You are free to create your own educational resources to use during your visit or follow our Museum Trails. We are excited to have you and your students at WSR.
The Railway and Museums are open between March and October and have specific train times. Schools can visit during this time. We offer educational services throughout the year, such as school sessions and digital resources. You can visit the Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard at Bishops Lydeard Station to learn about the history of the West Somerset Railway, including its connection to Brunel, the Industrial Revolution, and local economy. You can solve interactive puzzles, view exhibits, use a touchscreen archive, see a working signal box, and visit a Victorian sleeping carriage.
To plan your visit, download the Teacher’s Information Booklet for more information.
The West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust (WSRHT) is pleased to offer a wide range of Museum Learning Sessions to enhance visitors’ experiences.
Our Learning Programme provides a comprehensive list of available sessions. To book a Learning Session, please contact our Education and Learning Officer at helen.anson@wsrht.co.uk. For your convenience, you may download our Terms and Conditions for School Visits. Thank you for considering the WSRHT as your educational destination and we look forward to welcoming you soon.
While you’re at the Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard, you can also take a ride on a restored steam or diesel locomotive through the Somerset countryside. There are different routes available, so you can choose what fits your schedule and budget. To get more information or book a train ride, contact our booking team by phone (01643 700398) or email (groups@wsrail.net).
The Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard occupies a 19th-century goods shed, which limits the available space. For school visits, our lower floor exhibition area offers a comfortable carpeted seating area and a large digital screen. Additionally, we provide storage facilities for children’s belongings during their visit. However, due to the size constraints of the museum, it may be necessary to divide classes into smaller groups for each activity. Despite these limitations, we strive to provide an enriching experience for all visitors.
The age of our building means that unfortunately the Gauge Museum Bishops Lydeard has some access limitations. The ground floor exhibition space is fully accessible to wheelchair users and the lower floor education space can be reached via a rear entrance. Unfortunately, there is currently no access to the model railway exhibition on the mezzanine floor.
Our Victorian sleeping carriage has extremely narrow corridors and unfortunately does not offer a wide enough turning circle for wheelchairs.
Please always make us aware of any wheelchair users or visitors with specific needs at the time of booking or before the day of your visit.
Teachers should please note that, unfortunately, the Gauge Museum does not have toilet facilities on site, but that toilets are available on the other side of the Bishops Lydeard platform with disabled access. We would suggest that you plan toilet visits into your schedule as there is a significant walk involved. If you have concerns or questions about this, don’t hesitate to contact our Education and Learning Officer.
- Bishops Lydeard*
- Stogumber*
- Watchet*
- Dunster
- * Toilets with disabled access
- Crowcombe Heathfield*
- Williton
- Blue Anchor
- Minehead*
The picnic area is conveniently located a short distance from the station and adjacent to the main car park. It is well-equipped with picnic benches and play equipment. In the event of unfavorable weather conditions, children have the option of consuming their lunches in either the learning space in the museum or the station waiting room. If preferred, lunch can also be had on the train. We would like to draw your attention to the café located opposite the museum at the station that serves a variety of drinks and light bites.
Please note that it is the responsibility of the teacher to ensure that pupils conduct themselves appropriately during lunchtime. We kindly request that you dispose of any litter prior to leaving the area, and if additional cleaning resources or bin bags are required, please do not hesitate to request them.
Children are welcome to visit the Bishops Lydeard Station shop which sells a selection of railway related souvenirs. Please be aware that standard conditions still apply during a shop visit i.e. minimum supervision ratios need to be adhered to and behaviour of pupils closely monitored.
The West Somerset Railway places a high priority on ensuring the safety and well-being of children and young people within our organisation. We hold a strong commitment to protecting and promoting their welfare, and it is imperative that all members, including staff, volunteers and visitors, adhere to this pledge.
The WSRHT has a strict policy that forbids the photography and filming of school children by general visitors during organised school visits to the Museum. Should any visitor be found taking photographs of children inappropriately, they must be approached and challenged.
However, we extend a warm welcome to teachers who wish to take photographs of the children while in the Museum or on the platform. Our priority is to ensure the safety and security of everyone who visits and works at the Museum. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in maintaining a safe and positive environment for all.
We can provide Risk Assessments for all educational activities within the Gauge Museum. Please note that these are written from the Museum’s perspective and we recommend that all potential Group Leaders also conduct their own risk assessments during your familiarisation visit. Click here for a copy of our Risk Assessments
Please ensure you read our Risk Assessments for school visitors before your visit and brief all accompanying adults and, where appropriate, the children.
We require that schools observe a minimum supervision ratio of 1 to 6 at KS1, 1 to 8 at KS2 and 1 to 12 at KS3 and above. This is also the maximum group walkabout number. Classes are to be divided into small groups (as above) with a competent or trained or qualified adult responsible for the supervision and behavior of each group at all times. The behaviour and supervision of the pupils on the West Somerset Railway is the responsibility of the teacher.
Adults are to remain with their designated group at ALL times.
If you plan to visit WSR, we suggest that you visit the museum beforehand to get familiar with it. It’s free to get in, but please check our website for the opening hours to avoid any trouble. If you need more information, let our Learning Officer know beforehand.
Along with your students, you are welcome to join the familiarisation visit, which helps ensure your visit runs smoothly. Although we provide Risk Assessments, it’s still important to do your own assessment as well.
You are free to create your own educational resources to use during your visit or follow our Museum Trails. We are excited to have you and your students at WSR.
