The Cheddar Valley Lost Railway - the 'Strawberry Line' from Yatton

[whole diary]

[eXPassenger]

Could be Winscombe, the layout of the millennium green looks like that at the end.

[Red Squirrel]

Yes, Winscombe Millennium Green - or Winscombe Station, if you prefer. According to the Strawberry Line website everything you see here is original - a remarkable survival if so.

[eXPassenger]

Yes, Winscombe Millennium Green - or Winscombe Station, if you prefer. According to the Strawberry Line website everything you see here is original - a remarkable survival if so.

It is indeed.  There was a major row when the Victorian kissing gates on an access footpath were replaced with modern galvanised steel ones.

If you are in the area then Sandford Station is open off the Strawberry Line at weekends with various exhibits.

(I live in Winscombe and have worked on the Green).

[Red Squirrel]

I passed through on my way to Cheddar (and beyond!); I'd been wanting to cycle the Strawberry Line for some time.

It didn't disappoint!

[johnneyw]

I've did a modest cycle ride starting from there some considerable years back.  A little more recently I did a walk from Yatton Station to Winscombe and back, somewhat weighed down on the return leg by a large container of Thatcher's Cider from their shop in Sandford.
When watching an advert on TV for Thatcher's some time back, I recognised the path that I had walked along through one of their orchards where the Strawberry Line path deviates from the original route near Sandford.
Very nice walk but there was quite a long stretch with little shade on what was a pretty hot day.  Fortunately I got back to Yatton Station a little early and the pub (The Firebox?) just across the road was open. 

[chuffed]

Had some fish and chips  from the chippie in Winscombe with trainer of this forum on the picnic tables by the station. Great sense of deja vu as we did exactly the same some 6 or 7 years ago when we were both rather fatter and less fit than we are now...both pushing 70!

[froome]

Had some fish and chips  from the chippie in Winscombe with trainer of this forum on the picnic tables by the station. Great sense of deja vu as we did exactly the same some 6 or 7 years ago when we were both rather fatter and less fit than we are now...both pushing 70!

Pushing 70 is the best way of dealing with it. It keeps it over the horizon for a few more extra years! 

[eXPassenger]

I passed through on my way to Cheddar (and beyond!); I'd been wanting to cycle the Strawberry Line for some time.

It didn't disappoint!

It is a lovely ride.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Cycling through Shute Shelve Tunnel is brilliant! 

Erm ... no, actually, it's not brilliant - it's pitch black, in the middle.  You'll need headlamps, torches, lanterns, candles, canaries in cages ... 

... I got back to Yatton Station a little early and the pub (The Firebox?) just across the road was open. 

It's actually The Railway Inn: I introduced a couple of other members of this forum to it, and we all agreed it is excellent. 

[eXPassenger]

Cycling through Shute Shelve Tunnel is brilliant! 

Erm ... no, actually, it's not brilliant - it's pitch black, in the middle.  You'll need headlamps, torches, lanterns, candles, canaries in cages ... 

......

The approach signs state that lights are required and ask cyclists to walk through the tunnel.  In practice it is a great ride if the tunnel is clear.  You can see if it is clear since other people are silhouetted against the end of the tunnel.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Yes, I was exaggerating somewhat.  ;

[eXPassenger]

Yes, I was exaggerating somewhat.  ;

I did think that your use of canaries was probably unnecessary since the rock is not coal bearing.

[infoman]

on the B3136 on Friday 8th November 2024 being featured on BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page) points west local news.

[Red Squirrel]

I've moved this topic here as this is a new cycle bridge which doesn't seek to complement the hostory of the line.

More details are here:

Strawberry Line bridge marks another milestone for active travel path

A 15-metre bridge has been spectacularly craned into place completing another missing link in Somerset’s Strawberry Line



In a unique partnership with volunteers, councils, charities and contractors, Somerset Council is working to create a traffic-free path from the Mendips to the sea along the former railway line, known as the Strawberry Line.

The new bridge – which is as long as a double-decker bus – over the B3136 in Shepton Mallet is another step towards eventually connecting Ridge Road to Collett Park in the town centre. Although now in place, the bridge is not yet open to the public.

Further works are underway to connect the bridge to new and existing paths, which together will create a safer route for residents in South Shepton to walk and cycle to the playing fields, scout hut, football club and towards Shepton Mallet Community Hospital.

An official opening and ribbon cutting is planned for Friday, 8 November 2024.

Construction was supervised by volunteer led charitable organisation Greenways and Cycle routes and work carried out by local contractors MP^▸ (Member of Parliament) and KM Golding.

The Strawberry Line volunteers together with volunteers from the neighbouring Friends of Windsor Hill Tunnels project have provided key support and helped with clearance and construction through regular weekly volunteer sessions and at Greenways workcamps.

This has included supporting with all aspects of the path, from land access negotiations, vegetation clearing and preparatory works ahead of construction, to planting the verges and surrounding areas, creating local walking routes, managing the local ecology and maintaining the path itself. 

Councillor Richard Wilkins, Lead Member for Transport and Waste Services, said:

A huge thank you to our community groups and volunteers for progressing work, your efforts have transformed the disused railway into a vibrant pathway for everyone to use. We have been honoured to support you in making the Strawberry Line a success.

The Strawberry Line project encourages people out of cars, reducing congestion and pollution, while promoting active travel and a healthy lifestyle. The new bridge, coupled with Shepton Town Council led improvements to Collett Park and future aspirations to create an Arts Trail and support local businesses along the route and gives Shepton Mallet a boost for now and generations to come. 

More information can be found on the Strawberry Line’s Discover the line webpage.

Source: Somerset Council

[Chris from Nailsea]

Somerset Council is working to create a traffic-free path from the Mendips to the sea along the former railway line, known as the Strawberry Line.

Nonsense: the Strawberry Line started / ended at Yatton - nowhere near the sea.