Steam Trains, Castles and Coast for Heritage Days Out
Why Woodcombe is a good base for heritage breaks
A heritage focused break works best when you do not spend more time in the car than at the places you came to see. Woodcombe’s location helps with that.
From your lodge or cottage you have:
- A short drive or walk down to Minehead seafront, harbour and the start of the South West Coast Path
- Easy access to the West Somerset Railway at Minehead station
- Dunster village and castle only a few miles away
- Simple routes out towards Watchet and Blue Anchor
- Direct access into Exmoor for moorland, river valley and village history
Because everything is relatively close, you can combine more than one element in a single day – for example, a castle visit in the morning and a steam train ride or harbour walk in the afternoon.
Steam trains – West Somerset Railway from Minehead
The West Somerset Railway is one of the area’s biggest heritage draws. Starting at Minehead, a short distance from Woodcombe, the line runs for about twenty miles along the coast and through the countryside to Bishops Lydeard.
A typical day out might include:
- Strolling down from Woodcombe or driving to Minehead station
- Watching the engine arrive, run round and couple up to the train
- Settling into a heritage carriage and letting the journey do the work
As you travel, you pass:
- The seafront and golf course at Minehead
- Coastal views around Blue Anchor
- Harbour and town views at Watchet
- Rural stations and inland scenery towards the Quantocks
You can treat it as a simple return trip, or hop off at one of the intermediate stations for a short explore, a pub lunch or a coastal walk before catching a later train back.
For current timetables, special events and themed days, it is always best to check the West Somerset Railway’s own website when planning your stay.
Castles, abbeys and historic villages near Woodcombe
You do not have to travel far from Woodcombe to find castles, abbeys and historic streets that feel like a step back in time.
Dunster – castle, yarn market and medieval village
Just a few miles from Woodcombe, Dunster is one of the most picturesque villages in the region. It makes an easy half or full day out, especially when combined with a short walk or a visit to the beach.
Highlights include:
- Dunster Castle – a National Trust property with a hilltop position, furnished rooms, subtropical gardens and views towards Exmoor and the sea
- The medieval yarn market in the centre of the village
- The working watermill, part of the castle estate
- Narrow streets lined with old cottages, shops, galleries and tearooms
You can reach Dunster by car, bus or as part of a circular walk from Woodcombe if you fancy combining history and countryside.
Cleeve Abbey and other historic sites
Within a wider radius there are other heritage sites that can be linked into a day out:
- Cleeve Abbey – a remarkably complete Cistercian monastery near Washford, with impressive cloisters and stonework
- Ancient churches and bridges in villages such as Selworthy, Allerford and Bossington
- Tarr Steps – an ancient clapper bridge over the River Barle, set in a steep-sided valley
These places combine well with scenic drives and short walks, making them ideal for gentle heritage days with plenty of pauses.
Coastal history – harbours, railways and seaside towns
The coastline near Woodcombe has its own layered history, from trading and fishing through to tourism and seaside holidays.
Minehead – harbour and seafront
Minehead itself is worth a slow wander:
- The old harbour, where you can look back across the bay and out to sea
- Narrow streets rising behind the seafront, with older cottages and glimpses of the town’s past
- A broad promenade, perfect for a level stroll with views to North Hill
Even a simple ice cream and harbour circuit can give a feel for how the town has changed over time.
Watchet and Blue Anchor
A little further along the coast you will find:
- Blue Anchor – with its long seafront, shingle beach and a West Somerset Railway station
- Watchet – a small harbour town with a marina, narrow streets, a trading and maritime history and links to Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Both can be reached by car or combined with a steam train trip, making them easy heritage add-ons to a day out.
Lynton and Lynmouth
If you are happy to venture a little further, a drive west from Woodcombe along the coast brings you to Lynton and Lynmouth on the North Devon border. These twin towns, linked by a cliff railway, have a dramatic setting where wooded valleys meet the sea, and strong associations with Victorian tourism and the 1952 flood.
You can explore the harbours, ride the cliff railway, wander the streets and, if you wish, extend the day with a short walk out towards the Valley of Rocks.
Planning relaxed heritage days out
The key to enjoyable heritage days is not to cram too much in. From Woodcombe you can shape your time around simple combinations such as:
- Steam train plus harbour town – Minehead – Watchet – Minehead
- Castle and village – Dunster Castle and Dunster streets
- Abbey and coast – Cleeve Abbey and Blue Anchor
- Harbour and cliff railway – Lynmouth and Lynton
In between days out, you might choose to spend quieter time at Woodcombe itself, reading on the veranda, watching the light change on the hills or taking a gentle walk from the gate.
For up to date information on opening times, ticket prices and special events, the official websites for the West Somerset Railway, National Trust, English Heritage and local attractions, together with Exmoor National Park and Visit Exmoor, are the best places to check.
FAQs – steam trains, castles and coast from Woodcombe Lodges
Is there enough to do for a week of heritage days out?
Yes. Within easy reach of Woodcombe you have the West Somerset Railway, Dunster Castle and village, Minehead, Watchet, Blue Anchor, Cleeve Abbey, Lynton and Lynmouth and a whole network of historic villages and churches. Most guests find they can happily fill a week with a mix of heritage, countryside and coast, especially if they also enjoy walking or simply relaxing on site.
Do I need a car for these heritage trips?
A car is very helpful and gives you the most flexibility, especially for places like Cleeve Abbey or Lynton and Lynmouth. However, some outings can be done by combining walking, local buses and the West Somerset Railway, for example Minehead to Watchet by steam train, or Minehead to Dunster by bus and a walk.
Are these days out suitable for children?
Often yes. Many children enjoy steam trains, castles, harbours and beaches as much as adults do. Shorter visits, plenty of snack stops and a mix of structured visits (such as a castle tour) with free exploring usually work best. Some attractions offer family trails or activity sheets during school holidays, which can make the history more engaging.
Can we combine heritage visits with walking?
Definitely. Dunster, Selworthy, Bossington, Tarr Steps, Lynton and Lynmouth all lend themselves to days that mix short walks with time in villages, at viewpoints or by rivers and harbours. If you enjoy walking more seriously, you can also build heritage stops into longer Exmoor or coast path routes.
How do I find current opening times and events?
Opening times and events can change, especially outside the main season, so it is always best to use up to date sources. The official websites for the West Somerset Railway, the National Trust (for Dunster Castle and other properties), English Heritage (for Cleeve Abbey), Exmoor National Park and Visit Exmoor will give you current information on what is open, when, and what is on.
If you like the idea of holidays built around steam trains, castles and coast, with quiet evenings back at your lodge, Woodcombe Lodges and Cottages makes a practical and peaceful base on the edge of Exmoor. You can check availability on the Woodcombe website, and use Exmoor National Park and Visit Exmoor to help you plan your own heritage days out.
