Horse Pond Combe

Valley in Somerset Somerset West and Taunton

England

Horse Pond Combe

Dunster station platform Dunster, opened in 1874, is a single-platform station on the West Somerset Railway, the last stop before Minehead. — Dunster station platform Credit: Stephen Craven

Horse Pond Combe is a picturesque valley located in Somerset, England. Nestled amidst rolling hills and lush greenery, this tranquil spot offers visitors a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

The valley derives its name from a small pond that is home to a number of horses, providing a charming and idyllic scene. Horse Pond Combe is known for its stunning natural beauty, with the combe itself formed by a gently sloping valley carved out by a stream over centuries. The meandering stream creates a soothing soundtrack as it flows through the valley, enhancing the peaceful ambiance.

The valley is rich in flora and fauna, with a variety of plant species thriving in the fertile soil. Visitors can expect to encounter an array of wildflowers, including primroses and bluebells, which bloom vibrantly during the spring months. The valley is also home to diverse wildlife, such as birds, butterflies, and small mammals, making it a haven for nature enthusiasts and birdwatchers.

Horse Pond Combe offers several walking trails that allow visitors to explore its natural wonders. The paths wind through ancient woodlands and open meadows, providing breathtaking views at every turn. This makes it an ideal location for leisurely strolls, picnics, or simply unwinding in nature's embrace.

Overall, Horse Pond Combe is a hidden gem in Somerset, offering a delightful blend of tranquility, natural beauty, and wildlife. Whether seeking solace in nature or embarking on an adventure, this valley is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to experience the beauty of the English countryside.

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Horse Pond Combe Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.186847/-3.4640249 or Grid Reference SS9744. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Dunster station platform Dunster, opened in 1874, is a single-platform station on the West Somerset Railway, the last stop before Minehead.

Dunster station platform

Dunster, opened in 1874, is a single-platform station on the West Somerset Railway, the last stop before Minehead.

Diesel at the rear, Dunster Due to work on a level crossing, trains were unable to get to Minehead during 2021, and were being turned back at Dunster, which therefore became the passenger terminus. On this particular day, operations were complicated by the fact that a special train was due to arrive and depart before this scheduled service returned to Bishops Lydeard, and with only a single platform here the stock had to be temporarily stored in sidings just beyond the station. With no run-round facility for the steam loco, this meant having another engine (in this instance a class 33 diesel) at the back of the train from which it could be driven back into the station before the steam loco ran round ready for the next departure.

Diesel at the rear, Dunster

Due to work on a level crossing, trains were unable to get to Minehead during 2021, and were being turned back at Dunster, which therefore became the passenger terminus. On this particular day, operations were complicated by the fact that a special train was due to arrive and depart before this scheduled service returned to Bishops Lydeard, and with only a single platform here the stock had to be temporarily stored in sidings just beyond the station. With no run-round facility for the steam loco, this meant having another engine (in this instance a class 33 diesel) at the back of the train from which it could be driven back into the station before the steam loco ran round ready for the next departure.

Off to the sidings at Dunster Due to work on a level crossing, trains were unable to get to Minehead during 2021, and were being turned back at Dunster, which therefore became the passenger terminus. On this particular day, operations were complicated by the fact that a special train was due to arrive and depart before this scheduled service returned to Bishops Lydeard, and with only a single platform here the stock had to be temporarily stored in sidings just beyond the station. With no run-round facility for the steam loco, this meant having another engine (in this instance a class 33 diesel) at the back of the train from which it could be driven back into the station before the steam loco ran round ready for the next departure.

Off to the sidings at Dunster

Due to work on a level crossing, trains were unable to get to Minehead during 2021, and were being turned back at Dunster, which therefore became the passenger terminus. On this particular day, operations were complicated by the fact that a special train was due to arrive and depart before this scheduled service returned to Bishops Lydeard, and with only a single platform here the stock had to be temporarily stored in sidings just beyond the station. With no run-round facility for the steam loco, this meant having another engine (in this instance a class 33 diesel) at the back of the train from which it could be driven back into the station before the steam loco ran round ready for the next departure.

Dunster station trackwork The West Somerset Railway has been a private preserved railway since 1976, but Dunster seems to have retained all the track and buildings from its pre-1971 British Railways days. There is only one passenger platform, and the sidings and shed to the left here are now used by the railway&#039;s engineering department.

Dunster station trackwork

The West Somerset Railway has been a private preserved railway since 1976, but Dunster seems to have retained all the track and buildings from its pre-1971 British Railways days. There is only one passenger platform, and the sidings and shed to the left here are now used by the railway's engineering department.

Lamp room at Dunster A lamp room was where oil lamps were kept to be attached to the front and rear of trains before the days of electric lighting, and spare oil for these, station lighting and the backlights of old-style semaphore signals. As the WSR still has the latter, it may still be in use.

Lamp room at Dunster

A lamp room was where oil lamps were kept to be attached to the front and rear of trains before the days of electric lighting, and spare oil for these, station lighting and the backlights of old-style semaphore signals. As the WSR still has the latter, it may still be in use.

Level crossing at Dunster station The crossing on Station Road in an unguarded one, with neither gates nor barriers, or even flashing lights. Safety relies on trains going dead slow entering or leaving the station, and drivers hearing the train&#039;s whistle. Even on preserved railways, such crossings are now rare. Maybe the fact this is a dead-end road only serving a couple of farms and a few holiday cottages mean the risk is considered acceptably low.

Level crossing at Dunster station

The crossing on Station Road in an unguarded one, with neither gates nor barriers, or even flashing lights. Safety relies on trains going dead slow entering or leaving the station, and drivers hearing the train's whistle. Even on preserved railways, such crossings are now rare. Maybe the fact this is a dead-end road only serving a couple of farms and a few holiday cottages mean the risk is considered acceptably low.

Dunster station building Seen as approaching from the village, which is a mile from the station (not unusual for a small country station). The main building is listed grade II (list entry 1057599) and according to Historic England dates from 1871 although the line didn&#039;t open until 1874.

Dunster station building

Seen as approaching from the village, which is a mile from the station (not unusual for a small country station). The main building is listed grade II (list entry 1057599) and according to Historic England dates from 1871 although the line didn't open until 1874.

Dunster station - former goods shed and dock

The West Somerset Railway has been a private preserved railway since 1976, but Dunster seems to have retained all the track and buildings from its pre-1971 British Railways days. There is only one passenger platform, and the sidings, goods dock and shed to the right here are now used by the railway's engineering department. The former goods shed dating from 1874 is listed grade II (list entry 1250444). Note the gauging structure outside the shed doors, which would represent the profile of the lowest bridges on the line to make sure nothing would get knocked off overloaded wagons.

Dunster station - former goods shed The West Somerset Railway has been a private preserved railway since 1976, but Dunster seems to have retained all the track and buildings from its pre-1971 British Railways days. The former goods shed dating from 1874 is listed grade II (list entry 1250444). See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6908957">SS9944 : Dunster station - former goods shed and dock</a> for the other end.

Dunster station - former goods shed

The West Somerset Railway has been a private preserved railway since 1976, but Dunster seems to have retained all the track and buildings from its pre-1971 British Railways days. The former goods shed dating from 1874 is listed grade II (list entry 1250444). See SS9944 : Dunster station - former goods shed and dock for the other end.

Dunster station - engineer's train The former goods sidings at Dunster are now the WSR&#039;s engineering depot. Here, a road-rail excavator is attached to several hopper wagons and some flats.

Dunster station - engineer's train

The former goods sidings at Dunster are now the WSR's engineering depot. Here, a road-rail excavator is attached to several hopper wagons and some flats.

Dunster station - arrival of a special train On this occasion, the West Somerset Railway accommodated an extra charter train between its own scheduled steam workings. The Diesel and Electric Preservation Group used ‘Hymek’ diesel loco D7018 both for an excursion from Bishops Lydeard to Dunster and back, with an extension to Norton Fitzwarren and back on the return leg. Such was the demand that tickets had apparently sold out within a few days.

Dunster station - arrival of a special train

On this occasion, the West Somerset Railway accommodated an extra charter train between its own scheduled steam workings. The Diesel and Electric Preservation Group used ‘Hymek’ diesel loco D7018 both for an excursion from Bishops Lydeard to Dunster and back, with an extension to Norton Fitzwarren and back on the return leg. Such was the demand that tickets had apparently sold out within a few days.

Dunster station - steam train approaching Ex-Great Western Railway locomotive 5199, on hire from the Llangollen Railway, brings its coaches back from the sidings to form the 14.40 departure to Bishops Lydeard.

Dunster station - steam train approaching

Ex-Great Western Railway locomotive 5199, on hire from the Llangollen Railway, brings its coaches back from the sidings to form the 14.40 departure to Bishops Lydeard.

Dunster station - rail replacement buses Due to work being needed to a level crossing between here and Minehead, steam trains were terminating at Dunster during 2021, with a small fleet of buses taking passengers on to Minehead. The three seen here are two open top buses, an AEG Regent dating from 1934 in Devon General livery and a 1976 Bristol VR in the livery of Bristol city, and a modern double-decker (not open-top) from First Bus Norwich.

Dunster station - rail replacement buses

Due to work being needed to a level crossing between here and Minehead, steam trains were terminating at Dunster during 2021, with a small fleet of buses taking passengers on to Minehead. The three seen here are two open top buses, an AEG Regent dating from 1934 in Devon General livery and a 1976 Bristol VR in the livery of Bristol city, and a modern double-decker (not open-top) from First Bus Norwich.

Dunster Dairy Cottages Seen from Station Road.

Dunster Dairy Cottages

Seen from Station Road.

Outbuildings of Dunster Old Manor The 15th century manor house itself is not in this view but see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/2363606">SS9944 : The Old Manor, Marsh Street</a>. However the barn seen in the background to this photo is included in the listing (grade II*, list entry 1345608). To the right, by the gate, is a holiday cottage called The Granary.

Outbuildings of Dunster Old Manor

The 15th century manor house itself is not in this view but see SS9944 : The Old Manor, Marsh Street. However the barn seen in the background to this photo is included in the listing (grade II*, list entry 1345608). To the right, by the gate, is a holiday cottage called The Granary.

Signpost at the junction of Station Road and Sea Lane End Typical of Somerset country signposts.

Signpost at the junction of Station Road and Sea Lane End

Typical of Somerset country signposts.

Windfall Furniture, Sea Lane End, Dunster Sales of wooden furniture.

Windfall Furniture, Sea Lane End, Dunster

Sales of wooden furniture.

Barley field near Dunster Viewed from a footpath alongside the river Avill.

Barley field near Dunster

Viewed from a footpath alongside the river Avill.

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Horse Pond Combe is located at Grid Ref: SS9744 (Lat: 51.186847, Lng: -3.4640249)

Administrative County: Somerset

District: Somerset West and Taunton

Police Authority: Avon and Somerset

What 3 Words

///relishing.shrimp.tinned. Near Minehead, Somerset

Nearby Locations

Ellicombe Combe Arms Hill Staunton Wood Horse Pond Combe Penny Hill Catchmost Hill

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 51.186847,-3.4640249

Grabbist Hill

Place: locality

Lat/Long: 51.1843668/-3.4659505

Hiking: yes

Information: guidepost

Source: GPS survey

Tourism: information

Lat/Long: 51.1885883/-3.4629169

Hiking: yes

Information: route_marker

Source: GPS survey

Tourism: information

Lat/Long: 51.1883613/-3.4632871

Hiking: yes

Information: guidepost

Source: GPS survey

Tourism: information

Lat/Long: 51.1857732/-3.4661275

Hiking: yes

Information: route_marker

Source: GPS survey

Tourism: information

Lat/Long: 51.1848174/-3.4676202

Hiking: yes

Information: guidepost

Source: GPS survey

Tourism: information

Lat/Long: 51.1839398/-3.46885

Hiking: yes

Information: route_marker

Source: GPS survey

Tourism: information

Lat/Long: 51.183116/-3.4667458

Bench

Backrest: no

Lat/Long: 51.1834102/-3.461608

Hiking: yes

Information: guidepost

Source: GPS survey

Tourism: information

Lat/Long: 51.1834136/-3.4616603

Bench

Backrest: no

Lat/Long: 51.1838574/-3.4595588

Hiking: yes

Information: guidepost

Source: GPS survey

Tourism: information

Lat/Long: 51.1837801/-3.4595776

The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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