For decades, reaching some of the South West’s prettiest countryside without a car has been far from straightforward. But that could soon change, with two historic towns set to return to the national rail network for the first time since the 1960s.
New stations are planned for Cullompton in Devon and Wellington in Somerset, creating easier links to the region’s rolling hills, heritage attractions and rural walking routes.
New train stations in Devon and Somerset
The two stations were approved by the government in 2025, with around £45 million expected to be needed for their construction and delivery. The joint project had already secured £6.15 million for the final business case and much of the design work.
Both towns sit on the railway line between Exeter and Taunton, but neither has had an operating station since the Beeching-era closures of the mid-1960s.
The new stations are intended to improve local journeys while making car-free trips into the South West more practical. They are expected to connect with Exeter St David’s, where passengers can change for services to London Paddington, Bristol, Plymouth and destinations along the Cornish main line.
Cullompton’s return to the rails
In Devon, the new Cullompton station is expected to be built near the existing M5 services. The project is also closely linked to plans for the Culm Garden Village, a large development that could eventually bring thousands of new homes to the area.
For visitors, the station would provide a more convenient base for exploring the surrounding countryside. Cullompton lies close to the Blackdown Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, while nearby attractions include Killerton House and the historic town of Sidmouth.
Further afield, travellers could also use the station as a starting point for exploring Dartmoor, depending on onward connections and local bus services.
Wellington’s new station
Across the county border, Wellington’s station is planned off Nynehead Road, alongside new housing, roads and walking and cycling routes.
Plans for the surrounding development have now been approved, with 178 homes set to be built. Network Rail is expected to submit a separate planning application covering the station, car park and associated infrastructure.
The station was previously expected to open sooner, but the latest reports indicate that services may not begin until 2028, alongside the new station at Cullompton.
The project will restore a railway connection that Wellington lost more than 60 years ago, while opening up easier access to the Quantock Hills, Exmoor and the wider Somerset countryside.
A greener way to explore the South West
The stations are being promoted as more than local transport projects. By reducing the need for car journeys and complicated bus transfers, they could make short breaks in Devon and Somerset more accessible to visitors travelling from London and other parts of the country.
The surrounding areas offer plenty of material for a countryside weekend: walking trails, farm shops, independent businesses, country pubs and historic attractions. Wellington also provides a gateway to Somerset’s landscapes, while Cullompton sits within reach of both Devon’s countryside and its coast.
The reopening of these stations is part of a wider effort to improve rail access across the South West. Work is also progressing on Okehampton Interchange station, which is intended to strengthen connections for West Devon, North Cornwall and nearby communities.
When will the stations open?
The original plans suggested that services could begin in 2026. However, more recent reporting puts the expected opening date for both Cullompton and Wellington at 2028, subject to planning, funding and construction progress.
Once complete, the stations could transform how visitors reach two of the South West’s most appealing countryside towns — making a weekend of hills, heritage and country walks possible without having to drive.
