Blue Anchor

Settlement in Somerset Somerset West and Taunton

England

Blue Anchor

Blue Anchor is a small coastal village located in Somerset, England. Situated on the Bristol Channel, it forms part of the West Somerset district. With its picturesque surroundings and tranquil atmosphere, Blue Anchor is a popular destination for both locals and tourists alike.

The village is best known for its beautiful pebble beach, which stretches for miles and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. The beach is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to its unique geology and diverse wildlife. Visitors can enjoy leisurely walks along the shoreline, take a dip in the sea, or simply relax and soak up the sun.

Blue Anchor is also home to the West Somerset Railway, a heritage steam railway that runs between Minehead and Bishops Lydeard. The railway station in Blue Anchor is a charming and well-preserved Victorian building, and visitors can take a nostalgic journey on the steam train, enjoying the scenic countryside along the way.

The village itself is quaint and picturesque, with a small selection of shops, cafes, and pubs. There are also several holiday parks and campsites in the area, making Blue Anchor a popular choice for those seeking a seaside getaway.

Overall, Blue Anchor offers a peaceful and idyllic retreat for visitors. With its stunning beach, heritage railway, and charming village atmosphere, it is a hidden gem within the Somerset countryside.

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Blue Anchor Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.180934/-3.400632 or Grid Reference ST0243. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Farmland at Marshwood

Almost level land forms a plateau around 10-20m above sea level, above the cliffs at Blue Anchor.

Stephen Craven

Static caravans at Blue Anchor Bay

Seen from a passing train.

Stephen Craven

Cereal crop at Marshwood Farm

Seen from a passing train.

Stephen Craven

Lower quadrant signal for Blue Anchor station

This is the home signal which would be set to danger (horizontal) if there was a train already in the station.

Stephen Craven

Blue Anchor station

According to the railway's guide book, this halt was opened in 1904 as a speculative development preceding a new holiday resort, which never came fruition. It now acts as a passing loop on the West Somerset Railway. Here, a westbound steam train encounters a diesel locomotive on the other track, which was attached to the rear to be used for shunting movements at the temporary terminus at Dunster.

Stephen Craven

Blue Anchor railway museum

The museum occupies the building on the down (westbound) side of the station.

Stephen Craven

Up home signal for Blue Anchor station

The West Somerset Railway still uses these archaic lower-quadrant signals.

Stephen Craven

Blue Anchor Bay

Seen from the West Somerset Railway which runs along the edge of the coast for a short distance.

Stephen Craven

Sewer outfalls into Blue Anchor Bay

See ST0143 : Blue Anchor : Water Shoots out into the Sea and ST0143 : Drainage outlets into the Bristol Channel for close-ups, which show that they do sometimes get used.

Stephen Craven

Footpath crossing to Blue Anchor Bay

It gives access to the South-west Coast Path. See ST0143 : Path over the railway on Ker Moor for the other side of the sign in the foreground.

Stephen Craven

Milepost on Ker Moor

It marks 185 miles from London Paddington via Taunton.

Stephen Craven

Sheep on Ker Moor

Seen from a passing train.

Stephen Craven

Old pillbox on Ker Moor

One of many World War II defences along this coast, set in the middle of a crop field. See ST0044 : Old structure on Ker Moor for the other side of it seen from the coastal path.

Stephen Craven