Exmoor National Park Authority is currently leading on a Heritage Lottery funded project to conserve Somerset’s previously hidden industrial heritage.
West Somerset Mineral Railway Events Programme
About the project
The project is made up of a group of local and national partners including West Somerset Council, the Forestry Commission, Somerset County Council, Watchet Town Council, English Heritage, Watchet Market House Museum, and the Somerset Rural Youth Project.
It aims to conserve this remarkable legacy of Victorian industry both within Exmoor National Park and along the West Somerset Coast, improve physical access to the sites along the Mineral Railway, and raise awareness of it through a publication, website, on site interpretation, and an events and education programme.
About the West Somerset Mineral Railway
The West Somerset Mineral Railway ran from the Brendon Hills in eastern Exmoor, through rural villages such as Brendon Hill, Roadwater and Washford to the Somerset coast at Watchet.
It was built in the 1860s to transport the iron ore which was mined in the Brendon Hills to Watchet, where it was then shipped over to the Ebbw Vale works in South Wales.
It was relatively short lived, closing in the 1880s due to cheaper iron being available abroad from countries such as Spain. However its impact on the landscape and the local communities during its lifetime was significant. At its height more than 250 people lived up at Brendon Hill, and passenger trains were run from Comberow to Watchet.
The 1 in 4 Incline, which was used to lower iron ore down a 230ft drop, was the longest in the country, and still affords spectacular views across Exmoor to Wales.
Where can I find out more?
At the moment conservation work is taking place on the West Somerset Mineral Railway at Langham Engine House and the Incline. These sites will be open to the public by summer 2009. Â Watchet Market House Museum has an interesting collection of artefacts and fascinating black and white photographs on display, and is open from 1st April until 31st October.Keep checking back for the official West Somerset Mineral Railway website, coming soon.
For more information about how to get involved in the project please contact Mary at
- Events 2008-2010 (PDF, 785KB)