Washford brings together abbey history, railway heritage and a walk through the orchard. If you are considering Washford as a place to stay, its different attractions can help guide your decision: abbey architecture at Cleeve Abbey, a walking route and railway option at the station, the attractions at Tropiquaria, or the orchard walk at Torre Cider Farm. This makes it possible to choose what suits your travel party’s interests without limiting your stay to a single theme.
Abbey architecture and technological history
Cleeve Abbey has the most complete and least altered group of roofed, two-storey monastic buildings with a cloister in England. The ensemble is notable as a whole: the roofed buildings, two storeys and cloister together define this architectural group. The surrounding earthworks also contribute to its historical context; they are interpreted as a fishpond and an overflow channel. This means that, alongside the buildings, there is also evidence of the possible use of the surrounding area.
The Washford Transmitting Station represents a different chapter in technological history. It was a broadcasting station dating from 1933, designed by Wimperis, Simpson and Guthrie for the British Broadcasting Corporation. The abbey complex and transmitting station represent different periods and purposes: one offers a picture of monastic architecture, while the other points to the history of broadcasting. Together, they give Washford more than one historical perspective.
Walking and rail at Washford Station
Washford Station is at one end of the path to Watchet along the Old Mineral Line. Visitors can use the path and take a train at the other end. If you plan to make this connection, check the timetable for your chosen day. A section of the former West Somerset Mineral Railway runs from Watchet to Washford, adding the route’s earlier course to the area’s railway history.
The platform offers its own railway connection: it has a large grassy area where you can watch and hear trains as they approach over steep gradients from the directions of Minehead and Bishops Lydeard. This presents the option of combining a walk with a train journey alongside the separate interest of watching approaching trains. Also check local path conditions before setting out.
Tropiquaria and Torre Cider Farm
Tropiquaria’s Grade II-listed building houses a reptile house, an aquarium and a nocturnal house. There are also two almost life-size pirate ships, an outdoor play castle and a zip line. Animal and aquatic attractions sit alongside outdoor play facilities; you can decide which aspects interest your travel party most.
At Torre Cider Farm, the “Sprite Sanctuary” Orchard Walk leads through the orchard. The farm’s Somerset craft cider is made from apples grown in its own heritage orchard on site. The walk focuses on the orchard, while the cider offers a connection to how its apples are used. This makes it possible to experience the farm both through the walk and through a specific local product.
Parking at the station
There are only a few parking spaces in the forecourt at Washford Station. More spaces are available next to Cleeve Abbey on Abbey Road, about a ten-minute walk from the station. As parking arrangements can change, check the current parking situation before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Holcombe, Brent Knoll, Bagborough, Ilchester, North Curry, Templecombe, Fivehead, Stowell
For the wider travel overview: Somerset.
