Shepton railway glamping site planned near steam line

By Laura Linham 29th Jun 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 1 hour ago

A new glamping site could be created beside a heritage railway near Shepton Mallet if plans are approved.

The proposal is for land at Merryfield Farm, south of Cranmore station, close to the East Somerset Railway. The heritage line runs seasonal steam and diesel services between Cranmore and Mendip Vale, to the east of Shepton Mallet.

Applicant David Corp has submitted plans to Somerset Council for the site, which would include holiday lodges, yurts, improved pedestrian links to the railway and a new car park. A decision is expected by early autumn.

The East Somerset Railway forms part of the historic Cheddar Valley railway line, much of which closed during the Beeching cuts of the mid-1960s. Parts of the former route now form the Strawberry Line multi-user path through Shepton Mallet, Wells, Cheddar and the Mendip Hills towards Yatton.

The proposed glamping site would include six two-bedroom fixed holiday lets, each sleeping two people, and up to 13 yurts at the western edge of the site. Access would be from Piers Road, with a 25-space car park near a reception block.

The reception building would include a kitchen area, showers and toilets. Plans also include a dog pond, a wildflower meadow to improve biodiversity and upgrades to existing footpaths linking the site with the railway station, including one route being turned into a wooden boardwalk.

A spokesperson for Della Valle Architects, representing Mr Corp, said the site was well suited to holiday accommodation and could help diversify the farm as a sustainable enterprise.

They said: "The site is considered an ideal location to provide holiday accommodation in the form of lodges, glamping and free pitch camping, which can support diversification of the farm as a sustainable enterprise.

"The topography of the site is especially flat from the site entrance to the proposed location of the holiday lodges, reception and glamping area; therefore minimal landscaping works are required to facilitate this part of the proposed development."

The planning statement also said local businesses in Cranmore and nearby settlements could benefit from the construction and running of the site.

It added: "The proposed development will create new job opportunities such as cleaning, maintenance, groundskeeping, catering, reception staffing, and the construction process in the shorter term, with future opportunities for growth subject to relevant permissions."

The plans have been backed by Simon Bending, general manager of the East Somerset Railway. He said the scheme could support the railway's visitor offer at Cranmore.

He said: "We wholeheartedly support the plans, which would provide a fantastic facility enhancing our operations at Cranmore.

"We would be keen to support the additional foot access to Cranmore station and our existing facilities."

Peter Thomson, who runs the station café at Cranmore, also supported the plans. He said: "We would hope that this would bring more visitors to the railway and to our business. It sounds like it's something beneficial for all of us."

Somerset Council is expected to make a decision on the application within the next three months. If approved, the site could begin accepting bookings in early 2027.