Bishops Lydeard Station is the southern terminus of the West Somerset Railway and is the headquarters of. Hie West Somerset Railway Association, the Railway's "Supporters Club". Built in 1862 with only one platform, the present down side, it consisted of the station building, goods shed and the Station Master's house at the South end of the station, now privately owned and let as a holiday home. The up platform, signal box and passing loop were added in 1906. The signal box was built in 1906 and has a 33 lever frame and has been completely restored. On the station you will find a Visitor Centre giving an insight into local railway history and containing a model railway layout. Also you will find "Arkwrights Emporium" , a shop selling gifts, videos, books, model railway accessories, and a selection of "Thomas the Tank Engine" toys and goods.
Leaving the station and turning right by the gate near the road bridge takes you towards the village of Bishops Lydeard. In recent years the village has become a dormitory for the county town of Taunton, but the old village forms a spine for an interesting stroll.
After passing beneath the subway
under the A358 and waffing for about seven minutes, you meet the "Lethbridge Arms", the first of three pubs to be found in the village. The large wall in the car park is a relic of the old Somerset games of "Fives", now no longer played, but once a popular pastime, particularly in the south of the county. The "Lethbridge" offers beer and food, with a possibility of discount on the latter if you produce your West Somerset Railway ticket.
By the "Lethbridge" in Gore square, the Cornerstore sells locally produced ice cream, which may be of interest on a hot day! Continuing on up the road you will begin to note the mixture of red sandstone., buildings and brick structures that make up the old village. Mill Lane on the right takes you to the old village watermill which has been splendidly restored in recent years and now welcomes visitors on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays between 11a.m. and 3.30 p.m. You can see the water wheel, the wheelwright's shop and the blacksmith's shop. (You are now about fifteen minutes walk from the station). Retrace your steps to the main road and carry on up the main street.
On the right, about twenty minutes walk from the station, is the "Bird in Hand", offering food, drink, garden and a children's play area. Alongside the pub is a small village craft shop where you may be tempted to open purse or wallet!
By now you are getting close to the solidly impressive parish church of St Mary The Virgin, set in a spacious level churchyard. The oldest part is the North isle dating from the 14th Century, with the rest of the building dating from the 15th. There are some splendid bench ends to see inside and a 16th century screen is another noteworthy example of the woodworkers' art. On the West wall of the church you can see a charter dating back to 1291, granting the village of Bishops Lydeard the right to hold a weekly market and two annual fairs.
Those who know their English villages will expect to find a pub by the church and the "Bell" is another Free House, offering food and children's play facilities. Transport loons (those you have dragged away from the station, now a thirty minute walk away) will be fascinated by the lamp standard near the old police house. It's a post from the old Taunton Tramway closed in the 1920's, and how it got to the village no-one seems to know.
Other premises in the vicinity are the village paper shop, a fruit and cheese emporium, the village supermarket, the health centre and a branch library.
The best way to appreciate Bishops Lydeard is to take your time and look around as you go. There are plenty of interesting nooks and crannies to be seen and some attractive buildings to charm the eye., but please remember that people do live here and don't appreciate having their privacy violated.
With its choice of places to eat and drink and general ambience of a country village, Bishops Lydeard is a pleasant place to visit for those looking for a gentle amble around. The times quoted are those of a strolling, not over fit, fifty year old with a notebook and pencil! Have an enjoyable visit!
Bishop's Lydeard, a village 5 m. N.W. of Taunton, with a station
on the Minehead line. It gets its name from the land having been bestowed
by Edward the Elder upon Asser, Bishop of Sherborne, in 904. Its church
has an exceptionally fine tower, with double windows in the belfry. The
W. window is good and the tower arch very lofty.
Bishops Lydeard
Note
(1) the fine screen,
with the Apostles' Creed in Latin;
(2) the series of quaintly carved
bench-ends, the designs (windmill, ship, stag, etc.) standing out well
against the coloured backgrounds;
(3) the good, though plain, roof;
(4)
oak pulpit;
(5) brass in S. transept of Nicholas Grobham and wife (d.
1585 and 1594). In the churchyard is a fine cross (14th cent.), with
the figure of St John the Baptist on the shaft, and bas-reliefs on
each face of the octagonal base. There is also the base and broken shaft
of what was once the village cross.
Bishops Lydeard and Cothelstone in the Vale of Taunton Deane lie nestled in an area of great beauty rich in history. It is bound
on the north by the Quantocks and the North Coast and the west by Exmoor.
www.bishopslydeard.org.uk
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