Scenic Britain by Train 09.pdf - Association of Community Rail ...

2 THE HEART OF WESSEX LINE •
his line runs through the heart of the old kingdom of
Tthe West Saxons, the ancient name of Wessex not
heard again for centuries until poet and author Thomas
Hardy recreated it as his ‘dream country’. The perfect
route to go Far from the Madding Crowd, through serene
river valleys, rolling pasturelands and traditional market
towns. Stop off at Freshford, Bruton, Yetminster or
Maiden Newton to experience English village life almost
untouched by time. From Bristol the line runs first
through the deep, green Avon Valley, winding between
the river and the Kennet and Avon Canal – stop at
Avoncliff to join the peaceful canal footpath. After the
ancient weaving town of Bradford
on Avon, with its Saxon church
and medieval tythe barn, the line
leaves the deep valleys for views
over the broad Wiltshire plains to the
famous Westbury White Horse, Alfred’s
Tower, the cider orchards of Somerset,
Cadbury Castle (believed to be King Arthur’s
Camelot), and distant honey coloured church
spires built with wealth from the medieval wool
trade. Discover Hardy country from
‘Casterbridge’ (Dorchester), still a
traditional market town with
fascinating vestiges of prehistoric
and Roman settlement. Passing the
great hill fort of Maiden Castle,
the line sweeps over the
South Dorset Downs, down
to the World Heritage
Jurassic Coast and the
enchanting seaside resort of
Weymouth.
In addition to the stations shown,
the service also stops at Oldfield
Park, Keynsham, Freshford,
Avoncliff, Thornford and Chetnole.
Dundas Aqueduct
Maiden Newton
Photo: Catherine Phillips
Exploring
Access to lovely
countryside, market
towns and villages and
to the Kennet and Avon
Canal. Dorset AONB and
Countryside specialists
have developed our guide
to walks from stations.
Guided walks from
stations along the line
run from June to
September. See
www.heartofwessex.org
for more details.
Photo: Edward Parker
FURTHER INFORMATION
www.heartofwessex.org.uk
www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk
TRAIN OPERATOR
First Great Western j 08457 000 125
TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRES
Bradford on Avon j 01225 865797
Frome j 01373 467271
Yeovil j 01935 845946
Dorchester j 01305 267992
Weymouth j01305 785747