Public Transport
Hi all. This is the public transport page, which will hopefully give you all the current info on the public transport in our branch area. This will include routes and times and most importantly which pubs you can visit using public transport. Our Public Transport officer is Phil Emond who is an expert in the field and also has a little insider information when it comes to Public Transport.
Contact details of all Public Transport Operators in Somerset Branch
All Bus Services details can be found on Traveline web site at https://www.traveline.info. Just enter the place you wish to travel to and all services at that point will be shown, including time table, all stops and route maps.
Bus Operators in our Branch
These companies listed have services suitable for Pub visits etc.
MAIN OPERATORS.
AT West
Buses of Somerset (First Group)
Dartline
Falcon Express
First West of England
Hatch Green
Megabus
South West Coaches
OTHER SOMERSET COUNTY OPERATORS
Berrys Coaches
Community Transport SW
Frome Buses
Libra Travel 668
Somerset CC. 67
Ridlers Coaches
Correct as of December 2021.
National Express Coaches
Bridgwater, Taunton, Wellington & Yeovil. Services can also be used between local points pre-book or pay driver.
Book on line via CAMRA Members Web Site for 20% discount on all services. Maximum of 4 per-booking. Promo code CAMRA.
Trains
All Train Operating Companies can be found on https://www.nationalrail.co.uk.
Cross Country Taunton
Great Western Trains Bridgwater, Highbridge for Burnham, Taunton & Yeovil Penn Mill
South West Railway Crewkerne & Yeovil Junction
West Somerset Railway. Various Stations All above companies have extensive Web Sites.
Correct as of 01/09/2019.
Contact details of all Public Transport Operators in Somerset Branch
All Bus Services details can be found on Traveline web site just enter place you wish to travel to and all services at that point will be shown including time table, all stops and route maps.
Bus Operators in our Branch
AT West. Buses of Somerset. Dartline. Falcon Express. First West of England. Hatch Green. Megga Bus. Somerset CC. South West Coaches.
National Express Coaches
Bridgwater, Taunton, Wellington & Yeovil.
Services can also be used between local points pre-book or pay driver.
Book on line via CAMRA Members Web Site for 20% discount on all services Maximum of 4 per-booking. Promo code CAMRA.
All Train Operating Companies can be found on https://www.nationalrail.co.uk.
Cross Country Taunton
Great Western Trains
Bridgwater, Highbridge for Burnham, Taunton & Yeovil Penn Mill
South West Railway Crewkerne & Yeovil Junction
West Somerset Railway. Various Stations
All above companies have extensive Web Sites.
Correct 15/12/2021
NEWS
Press Release: Buses of Somerset Publishes Three Real Ale Guides to it's Bus Services
Buses of Somerset and the Somerset Branch of the Campaign For Real Ale (CAMRA) have joined forces to produce pocket guides listing Real Ale pubs that can be reached by travellers on three of the bus routes radiating from Taunton.
The routes concerned are the 21 (Taunton-Bridgwater-Burnham), 25 (Taunton – Wiveliscome- Dulverton) and 28 (Taunton-Willliton-Watchet – Minehead). The leaflet for route 28 also mentions pubs which can be reached by trains on the West Somerset Railway. They also include the all -important timetable information so that those enjoying a beer, a cider or a meal will know at what time the bus that will take them home (or on to the next pub) is due.
The listed pubs are a mixture of town and village hostelries, serving ales from a variety of breweries including the award-winning independent brewers of Somerset. In addition to the enjoyment of visiting the hostelries buses offer good views of the Somerset countryside while someone else does the driving and a day ticket, giving freedom of the Buses of the Somerset network can be purchased for £12 (cash or contactless) from the driver on the day of travel or £11 from the FirstBus app.
The leaflets can be obtained from Buses of Somerset Bus Stations or Tourist Information Offices.
Thanks also go to the East Devon Branch of CAMRA who advised on pubs in Bampton for the route 25 guide.
To download timetables use these links:
Route 21: https://issuu.com/cornwallbykernow/docs/camra_guide_21
Route 25: https://issuu.com/cornwallbykernow/docs/camra_guide_25
Route 28: https://issuu.com/cornwallbykernow/docs/camra_guide_28
FOR COMMENT ON THIS RELEASE CONTACT:- Somerset Branch CAMRA Public Transport Officer moc.yks@tm7tm4.ejp
Pubs on Exmoor National Park - 2019 Update.
Exmoor Pubs & Bars for Google Maps or Exmoor Pubs & Bars pdf. Full details of all of these Exmoor pubs can be found on What Pub: https://whatpub.com.
https://drive.google.com/open?id=18Q7gv9029PmFs0t9mVN12HpsAPq8MT1f&usp=sharing_eil.
The Exmoor National Park in the South West of England was created in 1954 as an area of outstanding natural beauty. Covering 267 sq.miles (692 sq.km.) it is a fascinating area, its highest point is Dunkery Beacon 1705 ft (519 M) the highest in Southern England out side of Dartmoor. Over 20 Grade 1 listed buildings on the Moor, 10 are churches some dating back to early 13th century. 8 rivers from 8 to 54 miles flow through the park.
29% is in Devon, which is covered by North Devon Branch and 71% in Somerset covered by Somerset Branch. It has a population of 10.600 and nearly 50 places of interest. On a clear sunny day, it is joy to have it so close to where we all live, however Mother Nature can cause many problems when it is misty and the cloud base is low. So whether it is sunny and warm, or cold wet and miserable, how about a visit to one of its many Pubs and Bars.
Amazingly, Exmoor has 42 with in the park boundary with 4 just a short walking distance out side. Somerset has 27, including a Deli Store in Dunster, and North Devon has 19. All but 10 have accommodation offering a huge amount of beds in what is relatively small area when compared with other National Parks in the UK. Find out more at https://www.visit-exmoor.co.uk.
They all sell Real Ale and most Real Cider so hopefully it will encourage you all to explore what is to many, on your door step.
For the 8 locations that offer a bus service details can be found on line by selecting the Village name then add ‘Bus Service’. Only Dunster via the Steep has a daily service all others are Monday to Saturday except Public Holidays, also for Dunster the West Somerset Railway is close by.
Updated May 2019.
20% Off National Express Offer for CAMRA members
National Express offer CAMRA Members 20% discount on all services. Travel any time for any reason, the only restriction is no more than 4 per ticket, more than 4 book extra tickets. Bookable only on line via CAMRA website at https://members.camra.org.uk/group/guest/national-express. 20% discount taken when on final booking. Please see the table at the bottom of this page for additional services that can be included e.g. night service Plymouth to Edinburgh via Glasgow. Various locations in far north by Scottish City Link from Glasgow are available.
Good Beer Guide 2022
Alteration for Somerset Branch Pubs entry’s
Dulverton Bridge add service 25.
Nether Stowey George, remove Bus Symbol.
Porlock and Watchet entries add Exmoor Explorer.
All pubs with only a bus symbol mean that more than two services operate near or pass the pub in question.
Breweries
Full details in GBG 2020.
Unless stated all services are operated by Buses of Somerset.
Bason Bridge 67 Somerset CC Black Bear (Part of Bear Pub), Exmoor, Wiveliscombe 25.
Exmoor Ales has a Brewery Shop.
Fine Tuned & Parkway Somerton 54
Quantock, Bishops Lydeard 28 (Daily Service) Licensed Bar opens from 10.00 with shop selling various products. (Bus Stops out side when serving WSR Station if not alight at stop before A358 Roundabout and walk under subway).
Tapstone, Chard BofS 30.99 and South West Coaches 96
Yeovil Ales Yeovil Town service 51.
Cider/Perry Producers
Bridge Farm, East Chinnock BofS 6, & South West Coaches 96
Hecks, Street 29/75/77 BofS & 376 First West of England. Has an excellent Farmers Mkt Shop
Loaders Cotford-St-Luke 25
Parsons Choice, West Lyng 29
Riche’s Cider Watchfield SCC 67
Sheppy’s Three Bridges Dartline 20 & BofS 22 (Daily)
All services details from Traveline South West 0871 200 22 33. You can create a journey planner from their Web Site.
Page 185 has excellent Public Transport Information for all the UK. Please be aware that bus services can change during the life of your current GBG so check before travel.
Breweries, Cider/Perry Producers please check before travel that you may visit, as some times this is not convenient.
Details of Somerset Branch Breweries are in GBG 2022. Page 359
Cider/Perry: Producers available on branch web site or from Branch Cider/Apple Officer Stephen Hawkins on ku.gro.armac.tesremos@retsambew.
Correct as of 15/12/2021.
As in all cases for Breweries Cider/Perry Producers, it is wise to make contact before you travel.
For full details of bus services contact Traveline 0871 200 22 33 or https://www.traveline.info.
Additional Add-On Services that qualify for the 20% Off National Express Offer for CAMRA members
| Service | Route | Operator |
| 3 | Ventnor - Ryde (Hovertravel) | Southern Vectis |
| 4 | East Cowes - Ryde (Hovertravel) | Southern Vectis |
| 9 | Newport (IoW) - Ryde (Hovertravel) | Southern Vectis |
| 28 | Taunton - Minehead (Town & Butlins) | Buses of Somerset |
| 36 | Leeds - Ripon | Transdev |
| 300 | Milton Keynes Coachway - Milton Keynes (town centre) | Arriva |
| 500 | Liverpool - Liverpool Airport | Arriva (North West) |
| 724 | Harlow - Watford - Heathrow Airport | Excel |
| 900 | Edinburgh - Glasgow | Scottish Citylink |
| 914 | Fort William - Glasgow | Scottish Citylink |
| 915 | Portree - Glasgow | Scottish Citylink |
| 916 | Uig - Glasgow | Scottish Citylink |
| 926 | Campbeltown - Glasgow | Scottish Citylink |
| 976 | Oban - Glasgow | Scottish Citylink |
| X39 | Bristol - Bath | First West of England |
| X1 | Bristol - Weston-super-Mare | First West of England |
| 56 & 56A | Exeter - Exeter Airport | Stagecoach South West |
| 702 | London - Windsor/Bracknell | First Berkshire & Thames Valley |
| 737 / 747 / 757 | Bradford/Leeds - Leeds Bradford Airport | Arriva t/a Yorkshire Tiger |
| 757 | Luton (town centre) - London | Arriva (The Shires) |
| 758 & 768 | London - Hemel Hempstead | Arriva (The Shires) |
| 840/3/5 & X40 | Leeds - York - Whitby / Scarborough / Bridlington | Transdev Blazefield |
| A1 | Bristol - Bristol Airport | First West of England |
| BUS | Southampton - Southampton T2 - West Cowes | Red Funnel |
| HT1 | Portsmouth / Southsea - Ryde | Hovertravel |
| JET | Southampton - Southampton T2 - West Cowes | Red Funnel |
| LGW | Oxford - Gatwick Airports | Oxford Bus Company |
| LHR | Oxford - Heathrow Airport | Oxford Bus Company |
| OXF | Gatwick or Heathrow Airports - Oxford | Oxford Bus Company |
| T3 | Wrexham - Barmouth | Lloyds Coaches |
| TP | Derby - Manchester | Eric W Bowers Ltd |
| WL1 | Portsmouth - Ryde | Wightlink |
| X25 | Reading Rail Station - Heathrow Airport | First Rail/Air |
| X43 | Skipton - Nelson - Burnley - Manchester | Transdev |
| X5 | Cambridge - Milton Keynes - Oxford | Stagecoach (Bedford) |
| X6 | Kendal - Barrow-in-Furness | Stagecoach (in Cumbria) |
| X62 | Leeds - Hull | Stagecoach in Hull |
| X90 | London - Oxford | Oxford Bus Company |
| BHX/OXF | Oxford - Birmingham NEC/Airport | Oxford Bus Company |
| B66 | Newcastle upon Tyne - Blackpool | JH Coaches were Classic coaches |
| A4 | Bath - Bristol Airport | Bath Bus Company |
| 853 | Oxford - Gloucester | Swanbrook Travel |
| 60 | Reading (Mereoak Park & Ride) - Reading (town centre) | Reading Bus |
| SF2 | Yeovil - London (Hammersmith) | Berrys |