Exeter–Salisbury: window card

About this journey

We recommend Exeter–Salisbury for a journey through the working countryside between the better-known coastal railways. The line leaves Exeter through East Devon, reaches Honiton and Axminster, then continues through Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire. Its character comes from hedged fields, valleys, small stations and towns with a reason to get off. This guide follows the railway eastwards from Exeter St Davids to Salisbury; London-bound trains continue beyond that point. A castle or abbey visit at Sherborne makes a strong centrepiece, while Honiton and Axminster have published walks beginning at their stations.

The different railway partnerships give the journey several useful identities. The East Devon Line covers the Exeter–Axminster section, with downloadable town and countryside walks. Farther east, the Blackmore Vale Line partnership links Crewkerne, Yeovil Junction, Sherborne, Templecombe, Gillingham and Tisbury. These are parts of the same wider West of England route, not separate trains that automatically connect at the partnership boundary. Use the actual departure and calling pattern when turning a scenic through journey into a day with stops.

Honiton’s Glen provides a short park outing, while Axminster’s heritage trail links plaques and historic streets. Crewkerne needs more care: the railway station is at Misterton, away from the town centre, so its museum is a substantial walk instead of a platform-side attraction. Sherborne is more immediately rewarding for a compact break, with Pageant Gardens and the abbey approached from the station. Gillingham means the Dorset town here, and its museum tells local stories connected with the surrounding landscape. Tisbury opens the Vale of Wardour and a village stop before the run into Salisbury.

This route needs a realistic plan at present. South Western Railway’s current route update reports a temporary timetable linked to speed restrictions on dry clay embankments. We therefore recommend one main stop on a through travel day, or a second day based at Sherborne, instead of building a tight chain of short connections. The railway remains a useful way to explore this part of the country, but the operator’s live journey planner must decide the day’s rail legs. Booked visits, cafés and an onward train from Salisbury should all be fitted around that current service.

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