Hello everyone, and welcome out on another explore.
We’re down in Somerset in the south west of England, and we’re cycling a six mile section of what is said to be, the most beautiful lost railway in the country.
The Somerset and Dorset Joint Railway was opened in 1874 to connect the industrial heartlands of the midlands, with the south coast, to allow the workers access to the holiday resorts of Bournemouth and beyond.
The railway was axed as part of the infamous Beeching cuts, and was lifted in March 1966.
We take a ride through the stunning countryside from the village of Wellow, through Milford, scene of the famous Titfield Thunderbolt film of the 1950s, over viaducts, through tunnels, including the 1600 meter long Combe Down Tunnel.
Despite its length, the tunnel didn’t have a single ventilation shaft. Madness!
We then make our way into the Roman city of Bath, and the beautiful Bath Green Park Station.
I hope you enjoy!
Support the channel below:
British Supplements – Get 20% off your first order here – https://www.british-supplements.net/icke
Merch – Check out the shop here – https://garethickeshop.teemill.com/collection/gareth-icke-clothing
CBD – Head to http://www.supremecbd.uk and use the code ‘GI40’ for 40% off everything.
EMF Protection – Fix The World Morocco – EMF Protection for your home at https://www.ftwproject.com/ref/518/
Nutrition – Head over to https://madtravnutrition.com and check out their top end range of coffee, Manuka Honey and Mushroom Tinctures. Use the code ‘Gareth’ and get yourself 10% off all products in the range.
12 Comments
It was single track from Bath Junction to Midford,double track from Midford to Templecombe and double track from Blandford Forum to Corfe Mullen.
Hayup Gareth very good what a journey to do back in the day, great cycling now though.
I think I watched an old film of some of these lines the last days of it running to Bournemouth it looked beautiful an had a really buoyant feel to it I guess cause you was seaside bound!
I often wonder if any other information on those cuts has found.
Fab tunnels, cheers
Aaah, the Somerset and Dorset railway, stomping ground of my favourite loco, a Fowler 7F 2-8-0 53808!
Great long tunnels. Reminds me of train and road tunnel going through mountains in Pennsylvania when I was a young kid.
Tremendous!!
At over one mile long, Combe Down Tunnel is the longest cycling and walking tunnel in Britain and features interactive light and sound installations. I do love that tunnel. Hey Gareth it's becoming more like The Ride than the The Walk.
Nice one Gaz. Last thing I expected, music in that tunnel! Bizarre. Yeah I never get bored of viaducts, would love to check out Ribblehead at some point.
What a tunnel. You guys really do live in/near some beautiful, forested places. Time for me to retire to the TX bed (I mean it is in Texas, and it is a bed 😉
Well, done Gareth and Team, another fascinating insight 😊
Loved this one too! Fast becoming a train spotter at this rate…
Music and disco lights in a tunnel…bizarre…
Much love from Tasmania ❤
Somerrrrset nipper!
What a tunnel, it's huge! Very picturesque around the Bath area and a lovely city.
Terrific video Gareth . Phil and the rest of the guys , those railway builders were beyond belief in that time period . I doubt those tunnels, tracks ,embankments and viaducts could be built now in that time . we cannae even fill potholes with our advanced tech , but those donkey and cart people really knew how to get things done , and we certainly know how to cover it all up again . Thanks again , keep on truckin good buddy 👍👍❤❤