In news that will delight cider lovers and cream tea connoisseurs alike, two new railway stations have officially been approved in southwest England. One is in Cullompton, Devon and the other is in Wellington, Somerset. Both towns sit right on the main line between Exeter and Taunton, but haven’t had their own functioning stations since the mid-20th century. That’s now being fixed, with government funding secured and services expected to start running by 2026.
These changes might sound hyper-local, but they’re also genuinely useful for anyone heading down from London or further afield. The shiny new stations will both connect via Exeter St David’s, a major transport hub with direct services to London Paddington, Plymouth, Bristol and the Cornish mainline. That means a much smoother journey, with no scrambling for local buses or hoping your signal holds for long enough to book a cab.
More importantly, these new stations open up access to some of the southwest’s finest countryside. Cullompton sits right by the Blackdown Hills (a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, no less) and puts you within striking distance of Killerton House, Sidmouth and, of course, Dartmoor – perfect for a bit of wild camping, now it’s officially legal.
Wellington, just over the border in Somerset, gives you a straight shot to the Quantock Hills, with Exmoor not far off and plenty of under-the-radar trails, farm shops and proper pubs along the way.
Now that the two stations have secured funding, an estimated £45 million will be pumped into constructing and delivering them.
If you’re heading to Somerset, why not check out our list of the 15 best things to do in Bath?
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