Bishop's Lydeard

Civil Parish in Somerset Somerset West and Taunton

England

Bishop's Lydeard

Bishop's Lydeard is a civil parish located in the county of Somerset, England. It is situated approximately 4 miles northwest of Taunton, the county town. The parish covers an area of about 10 square miles and has a population of around 2,000 residents.

The village of Bishop's Lydeard is the main settlement within the parish. It is a charming and picturesque village with a rich history dating back to the Saxon period. Many of the buildings in the village display traditional architectural styles, including thatched roofs and stone walls.

One of the notable landmarks in Bishop's Lydeard is the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, a medieval church that dates back to the 13th century. The church is a Grade I listed building and features a beautiful tower and stained glass windows.

Bishop's Lydeard is also known for its preserved heritage railway, the West Somerset Railway. The railway line runs for 20 miles from Bishop's Lydeard to Minehead, offering visitors a scenic journey through the Somerset countryside. The railway station at Bishop's Lydeard is a popular tourist attraction and serves as a gateway to exploring the Exmoor National Park.

In terms of amenities, Bishop's Lydeard has a primary school, a village hall, a post office, and several shops and pubs. The village is well-connected by road and public transport, making it easily accessible for both residents and visitors. Overall, Bishop's Lydeard is a picturesque and historic parish that offers a charming countryside escape in the heart of Somerset.

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Bishop's Lydeard Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 51.066149/-3.179957 or Grid Reference ST1730. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Bishops Lydeard Station, West Somerset Railway

From the road bridge.

David Stowell

Bishops Lydeard, West Somerset Railway

The engine prepares to take on water whilst the S&T staff work on re-instating the signalling that will hopefully one day permit a resumption of through services to Taunton.

David Stowell

Bishopâs Lydeard: St Maryâs Church

The impressive four-stage Somerset tower with set-back buttresses dates from the 15th century. The churchyard contains the stumps of two medieval crosses; the church is noted for its rood screen and carved 16th century bench ends

Martin Bodman

Bishopâs Lydeard: Pound Farm

At East Lydeard, the farm offers bed and breakfast. In the late 19th century one of the barns here had machinery powered by a waterwheel: a millstone survives near the house

Martin Bodman

Mount Street, Bishops Lydeard

Mount Street, looking North North East towards Quantock Hills. Bishop's Lydeard infamous Red Garage in foreground. Bishops Lydeard isn't just about the West Somerset Railway you know!

Tim

Bishops Lydeard: West Somerset Railway

80136 and 53809 backing down onto their train which will later depart for Minehead. Seen from the south side of the road bridge by the station

Martin Bodman

Bishops Lydeard: West Somerset Railway

Steam shrouds 53809 as the locomotive, double headed with 80136, hidden, hauls its train into Lydeard station, destination Minehead

Martin Bodman

Bishops Lydeard Sewage Works.

The track to Portman Farm has been properly surfaced from the A358 as far as the sewage treatment works. The village of Bishops Lydeard is just under a mile to the northwest.

Barbara Cook

Bishops Lydeard: footpath near Portman Farm

Looking west towards Bishops Lydeard

Martin Bodman

Whiskey Trail Crossing

Sandy Lane is a public footpath that links Sandhill Park and Bishops Lydeard. The alternative name of Whiskey Trail came from the American servicemen billeted in the grounds of the Park during WW2. It crosses the West Somerset Railway as shown in the picture.

Steve Edge

Bishops Lydeard

The crossroads on what could be called the village centre.

Tony Atkin

Arrival at Bishop's Lydeard

Roger Cornfoot

Bishops Lydeard watermill

This watermill turns and is open to visitors

Jim Woodward-Nutt

Bishops Lydeard, West Somerset Railway

The Water tower and signals at the southern end of the station platform.

Robin Lucas

Loco number 88 taking on water, WSR Bishops Lydeard

The tender is being topped up with water ready for its next journey. The locomotive was built in 1925 by Robert Stephenson and Co Ltd in Darlington. It is a 2-8-0 wheel configuration and has two cylinders and Walschaert's valve gear. It has an adhesion weight of 59½ tons (60.45 tonnes) over four axles. It is a development of the Fowler heavy freight engine of 1914 differing mainly in having a boiler combined heating surface of 1845 square feet (171.41 square metres) as compared with 1681 square feet (156.17 square metres). (Source: 'The Somerset and Dorset Railway', Robin Atthill 1967, Pan Books).

Brian Robert Marshall

The 15.19 WSR train from Minehead arrives at Bishops Lydeard

The train was 11 minutes late arriving; no-one seems worried and why should they be? The West Somerset Railway is a heritage line and is mainly for serious fun, although commuters do use it.

Brian Robert Marshall

Loco number 88 about to take on water, WSR Bishops Lydeard

The locomotive is about to take water aboard preparatory to it taking out the 16.10 train to Minehead.

Brian Robert Marshall

Aboard the 16.10 from Bishops Lydeard, heading north

This view is north towards the end of the cutting through which the West Somerset Railway passes in this square. There is a link to the official WSR website in this image Link The unofficial site is here Link