WSR :: West Somerset Railway :: CAMRA Real Ale Weekend 2012

Somerset CAMRA Real Ale Festival 8 & 9 September 2012

Somerset Campaign for Real Ale's 13th Real Ale Festival

The weekend of 8 and 9 September 2012 are the dates of this year's Somerset CAMRA Real Ale Festival, held in partnership with the West Somerset Railway. Quantock Brewery have kindly agreed to be the main sponsor this year.

Real Ale, Cider, Perry and Wine

Somerset CAMRA say "We plan to have in excess of 100 real ales, several local ciders, perry and a small selection of wine. The local Somerset breweries will, as usual, be very well represented. In addition to these, there will be a wide selection of ales from all around Great Britain, showcasing the incredibly diverse range of tastes and styles produced by our multitude of breweries. We hope to have locally brewed festival special beers, fruit beers and a cask conditioned lager. Each train buffet car will serve a different Somerset ale (from polypins) and a choice of bottled beers, including beers brewed especially for the WSR."

Food and Soft Drinks

The Turntable Café on Minehead Station will offer a range of hot and cold food, sandwiches, and soft drinks. A Cornish pasty van will be positioned by the station entrance on both days and there will be a hog roast on Saturday evening. There are several other food outlets close to Minehead Station offering plenty of choice to the hungry festival goer.

Live Entertainment...

Somerset CAMRA say "On Saturday evening, between 8pm and10pm, we welcome talented local duo BEN & TANIA (and friends) playing a selection of traditional, Irish and self-penned music on guitar and fiddle. Sunday afternoon we welcome back THE TONE VALLEY JAZZ BAND to perform their easy-listening traditional jazz sounds. Now in their 53rd year of playing together, they put their success and longevity down to cask-conditioned ale and good living. Just the ticket for a Sunday session!"

Entry, Glasses and Tokens...

Entrance to the festival will again be FREE, though you will need to purchase a glass which you can keep. You may choose a festival souvenir glass or a cheaper alternative.

A token ticket system will operate at the bar. Buy your token tickets when you buy your glass. One ticket for a half-pint, two tickets for a pint. No cash will be taken at the bar, although unused token tickets will be fully refundable.

A souvenir glass and token ‘starter pack’ will be available to speed up service at peak times following each train arrival.

We will also have festival branded souvenir clothing for sale at the membership stand.

Station Facilities...

Our real ale bar and entertainment will all be under cover on Minehead railway station platform. There will also be static railway carriages with plenty of seats available. All of the usual railway station facilities will be open during the festival.

Accommodation...

Enquiries should be directed to the West Somerset Railway by 'phoning 01643 704996.

Or check the Where to Stay page on this website.

Staffing...

Volunteers from Somerset Branch of Campaign for Real Ale will staff the festival bar, sales and membership stands. They will be pleased to answer any questions you may have.

Booking...

The Booking Form is now available as a PDF. Please click here, print the form, complete the details and send to the address shown.

Getting there...well worth the effort

The very best way to arrive at the Somerset CAMRA Real Ale Festival is of course on a West Somerset Railway train!

» Train times for Saturday 8 September 2012
» Train times for Sunday 9 September 2012

A discounted full line round trip train fare, priced at £14 (£13.50 for seniors), is available to all CAMRA members. This fare is valid for full line return journeys from either Bishops Lydeard to Minehead or vice versa. To obtain this bargain ticket you must show your CAMRA membership card at the ticket office, or better still, fill in the advance booking form or BOOK ONLINE and avoid queuing on the day. Soon to be available is a booking form along with a train timetable and information about connecting buses to and from Taunton

Connecting bus service - First route no 28 - Taunton - Bishops Lydeard

Bus information believed correct on 24 January 2012 but liable to change. Before your journey please confirm bus times by calling Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or visit www.travelinesw.com or www.firstgroup.com

Saturday: First 28 bus runs between Taunton bus station and Bishops Lydeard WSR station (via Taunton railway station) at xx.05 and xx.35 minutes past each hour until 16.05. Journey time is about 30 minutes. Taunton railway station stop is at the south side interchange, next to platform 2 and also from stop C in Station Road (under railway bridge). Return buses depart Bishops Lydeard at xx.24 and xx.54 minutes past each hour until 18.54. Later buses depart 20.35 & 22.20 from near Lethbridge Arms, Bishops Lydeard.

Sunday: 28 buses leave Taunton bus station at 09.00 and then hourly, running via Taunton railway station to Bishops Lydeard WSR station. Return 28 buses depart Bishops Lydeard WSR station at 17.31 & 18.31, with a later bus from the Lethbridge Arms at 19.31.

Beer List

Not yet available...

Real Ale · Cider · Perry · Music