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Click on thumbnail to view full size picture of Wellow signal box. WELLOW to HINTON CHARTERHOUSE
Wellow is a treat for anyone who loves the nostalgia of an old railway. It's a bit like walking through a giant train set from a bygone age. It's all there; the railway yard (now the village car park), station, parcel office, signal box, level crossing, in fact everything except the railway line and a train. Sadly this branch of the Somerset and Dorset line (lovingly called the "slow & dirty") closed in the 1950's but it's great fun picking out the buildings most of which are private homes, even the little signal box. If you listen carefully you might hear the Titfield Thunderbolt coming down the track, this famous 1960 film was shot in this area. The Stag pub in Hinton Charterhouse is a friendly place, nothing flash but good food & good beer. Stoney Littleton Long Barrow is managed by English Heritage. This Neolithic burial chamber is 30 metres long with seven chambers spaced on a central passage (quite low in some places). English Heritage have spent nearly 5 years renovating it and at first you might wonder why. Research on the internet under "Stoney Littleton Long Barrow" and you will find a surprising number of sites, you can do a "virtual tour" or take a torch with you on the walk and look inside. And did you hear a train? Of course you did! (GPS length 8.02 miles). How to get there: Park in the village car park, it's clearly signposted. There are a number of ways to get there, this is the easiest. From the A36, 1 mile south of Limpley Stoke turn off to Hinton Charterhouse @ ST 7798 5917. Go straight over cross roads at Hinton Charterhouse. Continue on for 2.5 miles to cross roads at ST 7411 5853. Go straight over and in to village
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