The Strawberry Line

The Bristol and Exeter Railway Company constructed the Strawberry Line in broad gauge. Francis Fox, who was educated at Sidcot School near Winscombe, supervised the construction assisted by his brother John.

The first train ran on 3 August 1869 and for the next 93 years there were several trains a day. As well as the famous strawberries from Cheddar the line was used to transport stone, milk and coal.The stations were central to village life and several had camping coaches allowing families to stay on holiday.

The 6 mile Wrington Vale branch linked Congresbury to Blagdon and opened in 1901. Despite early enthusiasm, however, usage of the line soon declined and the passenger service closed in 1931 although freight was carried to Wrington until 1963.

After the Second World War better roads, motor vehicles and bus services led to a gradual decline in passengers and, despite protests, the Strawberry Line was closed to passengers by Doctor Beeching on 7 September 1963.

Want to learn more?

If you want to discover more about the history and wildlife of the Strawberry Line why not go to the following websites:

North Somerset Council: www.n-somerset.gov.uk

Yatton and Congresbury Wildlife Action Group: www.yacwag.org.uk

Cheddar Valley Railway Walk Society: www.cheddarvalleywalk.org.uk

Mendips Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty: www.mendiphillsanob.org.uk

Environment Agency: www.environment-agency.gov.uk

Natural England: www.naturalengland.org.uk

National Trust: www.nationaltrust.org.uk

British Geological Society: www.bgs.ac.uk/mendips/localities/crookpeak.html

Sustrans: www.sustrans.org.uk

Traveline: www.traveline.org.uk

For up to date travel services visit: www.n-somerset.gov.uk/transport/travel/bus/travelmap.html

Nearest Tourist Information Centres

Cheddar Tourist Information Centre:01934 744071. www.visitsomerset.co.ukOpen 2 April – early November (only Sundays in Winter)

Weston-Super-Mare Tourist Information Centre:01934 888800. www.visitsomerset.co.ukOpen daily Easter – September (Monday – Sunday) October – Easter (Monday – Saturday)

This leaflet has been researched and written by Parkin Heritage and Tourism, designed by Imagemakers InterpretiveDesign & Consulting and produced for the North Somerset Council by Imagemakers.

Discover the secrets of the...

Heritage Trail

© M

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© S

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Family enjoying a camping coach holiday at Chedder in 1950s.

2-6-2T No 5511 arrives at Sandford and Banwell Station with a train from Yatton on 21 June 1958. The signalman waits to exchange the single line tokens with the locomotive fireman.

Welcome to the Strawberry LineThis rural railway opened in 1869 linking the Bristol-Exeter line at Yatton with Cheddar and Wells. For nearly a century several trains a day served the village communities along the line.

When it closed to passengers in 1963the Cheddar Valley Railway Walk Society,supported by North Somerset Council,worked tirelessly to acquire the track bed.

With the benefit of grants the 13km section from Yatton to the A38 south of Winscombe has been upgraded to become a high quality heritage trail incorporating National Cycle Route 26.

Passing through the contrasting landscapes of the Levels and Moors of the Northmarsh and the stunning Mendip Hills the route is steeped in history and has abundant wildlife. It even offers a walk or cycle through a tunnel!

The railway was part of rural life for 100 years…you can almost see the engine smoke and hear the distant whistle of an approaching train!

We hope you enjoy your visit!

Changing landscapes… rich biodiversity: returning wildlifeThe trail passes across the ancient Northmarsh before entering the foothills of the Mendips. The mix of tall hedgerows, rough grassland and ditches, known as rhynes, make up the Biddle Street Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The area is frequented by otters, grass snakes, toads, newts and many varieties of butterflies, birds and bats. The rhynes, and the Strawberry Line itself, are important natural corridors allowing wildlife to pass from one area to another.

The Levels landscape, mainly used for cattlefarming today, is the result of centuries of management. Water levels in the rhynes are carefully controlled by sluices whilst vegetation is cleared annually (a process called keeching)providing valuable organic material for the fields.

Further south, around Sandford, orchards support a long local tradition of cider making by Thatchers Cider Company. Here the landscape and scenery changes as the line enters the Mendips. The change to limestone is reflected in drier conditions and a different range of plants and animals. The wooded hillsides are clothed in oak and ash.

Along the line there are early and common spotted orchids, ferns, bats and, on warm summer evenings, look out for glow worms.

In Shute Shelve Tunnel you can clearly see the change in the

geology from brick faced soft marl to hard limestone. The tunnel is home to several bat species and rare cave spiders!

© G

erald Peacock.

The closure of the railway meant the bridge carrying the A370 over the railway at Congresbury could be demolished and the road constructed at the original track level.

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