The steam train to Minehead – a review

If you’re in Somerset and looking for some good old fashioned fun then you can’t beat a trip on the steam train to Minehead. It can feel as though you’ve gone back in time, to a different era.

This is a great trip if you’re looking for things to do in Somerset with kids. We took a trip on the Minehead steam train and thought it was the perfect day out.

Run through West Somerset Railway it’s a lovely way to travel

Taking the steam train to Minehead

We started at the station in Bishop’s Lydeard in Somerset to catch the first steam train of the day out. It was heading for the beach at Minehead.

There is something so romantic about travelling by steam train. It was an absolutely wonderful way to travel – gently chugging through the Somerset countryside with the occasional blast of the horn and puff of smoke.

My children were enthralled. My two year old loved watching the animals in the fields we passed and our four and six year old enjoyed the whole mode of travel.

We got drinks and chocolate bars from the buffet car and spent over an hour winding our way to the coastline.

The train literally drops you on the seafront. Because of this it’s such a great station destination.

The beach at Minehead

I wish I could say the beach at Minehead was as beautiful as the journey but we were all a little disappointed. So much could be done here with a bit of regeneration and imaginative thinking.

A better beach would really add to its appeal and this could be such a great destination. Anyone from families, couples and friends looking for somewhere to relax and play games on would love it.

As it was it took awhile to pick over the sharp stones and head down to the sea quite a distance away.

That said once we picked our spot our children were very happy with sandcastle building, shell collecting, crab hunting and seaweed untangling.

Next stop was some fish and chips from the main high street, there are a number of options available here. It’s well worth a wander to see which one takes your fancy (or has the longest queues).

Playing the slot machines in Minehead

Then it was on to the arcades, to play the games and come away a bit lighter in the pocket. But it was all good fun and the children loved it.

I remember days at the seaside doing exactly this. So it was really nice to take the kids to a traditional British holiday location.

You can’t beat the penny arcades can you?

Even if ultimately you never win, it’s one the children love.

There was time for buying some fudge and then racing to catch the last steam train back (the diesels run a little later).

Returning on the steam train to Minehead

As we pulled back away from the seaside the rain started coming down. This seemed like a fitting end to a traditional British day at the beach.

I actually love these photos of my two year old looking out of the window as the rain drops hit the glass.

The Steam train to Minehead was the perfect family day out to the seaside.

Find out more about taking the Minehead steam train here.

5 reasons to take the steam train to Minehead

• It’s like going back in time
• It drops you straight at the beach
• There’s plenty of family fun to be had in Minehead
• It’s an inexpensive way to travel
• The journey is part of the fun

Frequently asked questions about taking the steam train to Minehead

1. How far does the steam train go from Minehead?

This steam train is England’s longest heritage line. It runs for 20 miles.

Departing from Bishops Lydeard near Taunton you can get to the edge of the Quantocks on this train.

2. Can you take pets on the West Somerset Railway?

For a small additional charge you can take dogs on the West Somerset Railway.

3. What are the costs of the steam train to Minehead?

The prices vary according to who is travelling. You can find out more about the cost here.

A visit to Coleridge’s Cottage in Somerset