The walking route to Platform 1 at Temple Meads goes along the disused platform of Brunel's original terminus station, built in 1840. A few years after that, when the railway was extended beyond Bristol, a new through station was built on a curve, to take the trains south. In 1870 the through station was built into the grand Victorian Gothic form we see today. Brunel's original station survived as a kind of extra part of the new, bigger, station - it was where trains from Bath Green Park and the Midland line to the north terminated. In the 1960s these lines were closed and the tracks into the terminus platforms were lifted, apart from the short length into platform 1 now used by Severn Beach trains. My dad, who grew up in Bristol, always told a story of how years ago the local council tried to develop Severn Beach into a proper holiday resort. Many tons of sand were brought up from Weston-super-Mare to make an actual beach at Severn Beach. It only lasted a few tides before it was all washed away!
Hey Michael, thanks for the comment and the really detailed information- much appreciated. Do you know when I was researching this, I read about the original terminus but, not knowing the station that well, I wasn’t quite confident enough to include it in the narrative as a statement of fact. But this has really cleared it up and thanks for doing that 👍 In a way, it’s a shame the line doesn’t go all the way under the roof anymore but doesn’t really detract from the fact it’s a really beautiful station and I’m glad most of it’s preserved in its current form. I’m not surprised by the sand story tbh! Aren’t the tides some of the highest in the world? And judging by some of the tree roots scattered about I reckon it can be pretty wild some days! Can’t wait to go back when things improve. Cheers!
Hey CB, thanks for the comment. Yes I hope those that aren’t travelling atm (most of us tbh) can at least watch a few videos on RUclips. This is not a glamorous, paid-for, luxury trip (like I can’t see Sam Chui doing it for example) but I just wanted to see if I could make a video about absolutely anywhere and maybe this demonstrates that you can! The weather was pretty fresh too. All the best, M
Nice video. It’s amazing just how so many seaside destinations have changed over the years, from there heyday in the 60’s/70’s when everyone went to the English seaside towns for there family holidays. Unfortunately most of these areas haven’t survived the change in public trends. It’s sad really!
Hi AFUK, sorry it took a while to respond, have been at work! Yes I reckon the decline of the traditional seaside ‘resort’ has been going on for a while and one that sprung to mind for me was Rhyl up on the North Wales coast which used to have loads of stuff there that was similar to Severn Beach. Attractions like the boating lake and the miniature railway and another railway I think that used to run along the front all the way to Prestatyn which (although my youthful good looks may be deceiving), I remember being around until at least the late 70’s. It is sad but I guess it’s mirrored by the growth in cheap foreign holidays. However, with all the uncertainty around those atm, maybe there’ll be a renaissance in the UK over the next few years. Let’s all get back to Butlins! ⛱🌴
Was born there in 1947 left at 3 years old. Now more of a commute place but still very individual. Super cafe called Shirley's which we often call in for a meal break when travelling on to Wales, has a place I my heart even though the beach is a let down
Cheers Judy, I’m sure I walked past that cafe. Didn’t stop unfortunately but yep, a fantastic aura about the place. Not sure exactly why tbh but I really enjoyed it there 😊👍
1:32 that used to be a platform for the Bristol Harbour Railway, used until the mid 60s. They plan to reopen it at some point, and use it as a extension to platform 1. Note: Walking round the station to get to platform was only there for like a week. I commute on the line and you don't have to do that anymore.
Hi RM, thanks for the info. Yes the route was all very temporary when I was there so I was quite lucky in a way as I may not have otherwise got to see that building. And I hope you’re right about an extension because it does deserve to be used more appropriately than it currently is (in my opinion). All the best, Mark.
Ah yeh, I really enjoyed this little trip. I just wanted to prove you don’t have to go miles or spend loads of money to have a decent day out. And I’d always wanted to do this branch line 👍
The grand looking part of the station that you see from the approach ramp was not built by Brunel. It was built enable through trains from the Bristol & Exeter to reach the GWR. The building to your right as you travel up the approach ramp was the original Bristol & Exeter headquarters. This station was never jointly owned with the Midland, although their trains did eventually run into the station. The shed you went through on your way to platform one was THE original trainshed built by Brunel. It’s original entrance was via the frontage down on the A4 at the base of the approach ramp. I just about remember the shed when it still had rails in it. Just to clarify, the line that ran into Brunel’s original trainshed was always terminal. It didn’t continue as the Harbour branch - that ran through the goods yard that used to be to the north of the station, and across a bridge that passed through some buildings opposite on a triangular island. The platforms in the train shed are blocked at the inner end by the first floor offices of Brunel’s original building. The shed later became a car park and then was sealed off from the weather and became an indoor events venue. Not a very auspicious treatment for what was the terminus of one of the earliest inter-city railways, and Brunel’s first.
Hi Darren, I’m good, hope you are too! Thanks for the comment, yes I don’t know too much about the city TBH, though I had a great night there a few years back at a Calexico/Iron & Wine gig. Can’t remember the venue now. Bristol Temple Meads is a fantastic Station though and I could have spent more time there. The Severn Beach line was just a random thing I’d wanted to do really but the more I looked into it, the more interesting it became (hence the title). It was a really fascinating day out in the end 👍
I knew about the pool and the funfair but wasn’t aware of the sidings. It’s got a fascinating history and yes, similar to Bristol Temple Meads, it’s great to hear people’s memories and insights into its past. Cheers, Mark
Hi where the car park is was platform 14 where the Severn Beach train used to run from it was rather dirty and the platform was made of wood this was back in the 50s
Hi Gordon, thanks for the info. Fascinating place really Bristol Temple Meads - as was Severn Beach when I did a bit of research into it. Both places must have been very different back then!
There are plans to reopen the railway to Portishead one day and hopefully they will join it with this service so you could go from Severn Beach to Portishead and back
Portishead - another place I’ve never been to. Like most people I reckon, I just relate the name to the band from many years ago. Definitely worth a trip back to Bristol at some point I think. Lots more to do down there still 👍
Nice video, not one I've done! BTM is up there with St.P and York as one of my fav stations 😍 just a suggestion, lower the music volume, especially when talking ☺️ Superalbs' would be happy you took one of his beloved 'turdos' 😂
Hey Nonstop, thanks for the comment (and advice - any of which can help improve my stuff is much appreciated 👍). Yes the frontage at BTP actually reminds me of my hometown station - Shrewsbury which is quite impressive in its own right. If you’ve never been there it’s somewhere else I would recommend for the day. I quite liked the ‘turdos’ - maybe I’m just easily pleased, tbh I was glad to just get out and do something! All the best, M
Just trying to think how regular they were when I did this trip? Not very I don’t think. I bet you saw lots of different weather over the course of a year though! Thanks for the comment 😊👍
good trip and it sounds like a interesting line and place i have driven it on the computer on trains sim lol. you know next time can we not have music please i would much rather listen to the train haha but i enjoyed the video. i been on the prince of wales bridge lots of times
Hi Sion, good to hear from you! You should try this line when you can, I don’t suppose it’s that far from you? I enjoyed it really though the weather wasn’t great. I try and make these into more of an overall story of the trip, rather than a purists thing really but I’m happy to take advice and suggestions on board and yes I might try the no-music approach next time if that’s what people prefer (I’ll see how many 👎 I get 😂)! Been enjoying your stuff too mate, see you back over on insta! M
Hi, thanks for this and it doesn’t surprise me either I think it’s a fascinating station and tbh this video I wasn’t expecting much from it but I’ve had some really knowledgable insights from everyone who’s commented - which is brilliant and I’ve definitely learnt some stuff about BTM & GWR. Much appreciated, cheers 😊
Hi Shane, I’m not travelling during lockdown. But just in case anyone did ask, I felt it prudent to state that at the start of the video (see 0:14). Similarly, all earlier videos were filmed outside of lockdown restrictions or before covid was even a thing. Hope that clears things up. All the best, M
The walking route to Platform 1 at Temple Meads goes along the disused platform of Brunel's original terminus station, built in 1840. A few years after that, when the railway was extended beyond Bristol, a new through station was built on a curve, to take the trains south. In 1870 the through station was built into the grand Victorian Gothic form we see today. Brunel's original station survived as a kind of extra part of the new, bigger, station - it was where trains from Bath Green Park and the Midland line to the north terminated. In the 1960s these lines were closed and the tracks into the terminus platforms were lifted, apart from the short length into platform 1 now used by Severn Beach trains.
My dad, who grew up in Bristol, always told a story of how years ago the local council tried to develop Severn Beach into a proper holiday resort. Many tons of sand were brought up from Weston-super-Mare to make an actual beach at Severn Beach. It only lasted a few tides before it was all washed away!
Hey Michael, thanks for the comment and the really detailed information- much appreciated.
Do you know when I was researching this, I read about the original terminus but, not knowing the station that well, I wasn’t quite confident enough to include it in the narrative as a statement of fact. But this has really cleared it up and thanks for doing that 👍 In a way, it’s a shame the line doesn’t go all the way under the roof anymore but doesn’t really detract from the fact it’s a really beautiful station and I’m glad most of it’s preserved in its current form.
I’m not surprised by the sand story tbh! Aren’t the tides some of the highest in the world? And judging by some of the tree roots scattered about I reckon it can be pretty wild some days!
Can’t wait to go back when things improve. Cheers!
Very interesting trip. You are far braver than me going out and about 👍😊. It is nice to live vicariously though 👏
Hey CB, thanks for the comment. Yes I hope those that aren’t travelling atm (most of us tbh) can at least watch a few videos on RUclips. This is not a glamorous, paid-for, luxury trip (like I can’t see Sam Chui doing it for example) but I just wanted to see if I could make a video about absolutely anywhere and maybe this demonstrates that you can! The weather was pretty fresh too. All the best, M
Nice video. It’s amazing just how so many seaside destinations have changed over the years, from there heyday in the 60’s/70’s when everyone went to the English seaside towns for there family holidays. Unfortunately most of these areas haven’t survived the change in public trends. It’s sad really!
Hi AFUK, sorry it took a while to respond, have been at work!
Yes I reckon the decline of the traditional seaside ‘resort’ has been going on for a while and one that sprung to mind for me was Rhyl up on the North Wales coast which used to have loads of stuff there that was similar to Severn Beach. Attractions like the boating lake and the miniature railway and another railway I think that used to run along the front all the way to Prestatyn which (although my youthful good looks may be deceiving), I remember being around until at least the late 70’s.
It is sad but I guess it’s mirrored by the growth in cheap foreign holidays. However, with all the uncertainty around those atm, maybe there’ll be a renaissance in the UK over the next few years. Let’s all get back to Butlins! ⛱🌴
Nice video, and interesting trip. I did the same many years ago, on a Pacer - as far as I can remember, my only ride on one!
The good old Pacer 😂 I wonder how much longer that made the journey feel!
Was born there in 1947 left at 3 years old. Now more of a commute place but still very individual. Super cafe called Shirley's which we often call in for a meal break when travelling on to Wales, has a place I my heart even though the beach is a let down
Cheers Judy, I’m sure I walked past that cafe. Didn’t stop unfortunately but yep, a fantastic aura about the place. Not sure exactly why tbh but I really enjoyed it there 😊👍
😊
1:32 that used to be a platform for the Bristol Harbour Railway, used until the mid 60s. They plan to reopen it at some point, and use it as a extension to platform 1.
Note: Walking round the station to get to platform was only there for like a week. I commute on the line and you don't have to do that anymore.
Hi RM, thanks for the info. Yes the route was all very temporary when I was there so I was quite lucky in a way as I may not have otherwise got to see that building. And I hope you’re right about an extension because it does deserve to be used more appropriately than it currently is (in my opinion). All the best, Mark.
Good to see you in my neck of the woods.
Ah yeh, I really enjoyed this little trip. I just wanted to prove you don’t have to go miles or spend loads of money to have a decent day out. And I’d always wanted to do this branch line 👍
The grand looking part of the station that you see from the approach ramp was not built by Brunel. It was built enable through trains from the Bristol & Exeter to reach the GWR. The building to your right as you travel up the approach ramp was the original Bristol & Exeter headquarters. This station was never jointly owned with the Midland, although their trains did eventually run into the station. The shed you went through on your way to platform one was THE original trainshed built by Brunel. It’s original entrance was via the frontage down on the A4 at the base of the approach ramp. I just about remember the shed when it still had rails in it. Just to clarify, the line that ran into Brunel’s original trainshed was always terminal. It didn’t continue as the Harbour branch - that ran through the goods yard that used to be to the north of the station, and across a bridge that passed through some buildings opposite on a triangular island. The platforms in the train shed are blocked at the inner end by the first floor offices of Brunel’s original building. The shed later became a car park and then was sealed off from the weather and became an indoor events venue. Not a very auspicious treatment for what was the terminus of one of the earliest inter-city railways, and Brunel’s first.
I love your shots! Great video. 😊
Hey thanks QTV. It’s not quite as exotic as some destinations I guess but a really interesting place nonetheless! All the best, M
Hello how are you keeping all well I really enjoyed the video Bristol looks amazing city
Hi Darren, I’m good, hope you are too!
Thanks for the comment, yes I don’t know too much about the city TBH, though I had a great night there a few years back at a Calexico/Iron & Wine gig. Can’t remember the venue now.
Bristol Temple Meads is a fantastic Station though and I could have spent more time there. The Severn Beach line was just a random thing I’d wanted to do really but the more I looked into it, the more interesting it became (hence the title). It was a really fascinating day out in the end 👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip hi there yes I am doing really well thank you so much 😀😀
When I was a kid, Severn Beach had a stack of sidings, and loads of Excursion Trains, an outside swimming pool, donkeys, and a fun fair.
I knew about the pool and the funfair but wasn’t aware of the sidings. It’s got a fascinating history and yes, similar to Bristol Temple Meads, it’s great to hear people’s memories and insights into its past. Cheers, Mark
@@LetsMakeaTrip My pleasure Mark.
Hi where the car park is was platform 14 where the Severn Beach train used to run from it was rather dirty and the platform was made of wood this was back in the 50s
Hi Gordon, thanks for the info. Fascinating place really Bristol Temple Meads - as was Severn Beach when I did a bit of research into it. Both places must have been very different back then!
There are plans to reopen the railway to Portishead one day and hopefully they will join it with this service so you could go from Severn Beach to Portishead and back
Portishead - another place I’ve never been to. Like most people I reckon, I just relate the name to the band from many years ago. Definitely worth a trip back to Bristol at some point I think. Lots more to do down there still 👍
Excellent 👍👍👍👍👍
Nice video, not one I've done! BTM is up there with St.P and York as one of my fav stations 😍 just a suggestion, lower the music volume, especially when talking ☺️ Superalbs' would be happy you took one of his beloved 'turdos' 😂
Hey Nonstop, thanks for the comment (and advice - any of which can help improve my stuff is much appreciated 👍). Yes the frontage at BTP actually reminds me of my hometown station - Shrewsbury which is quite impressive in its own right. If you’ve never been there it’s somewhere else I would recommend for the day. I quite liked the ‘turdos’ - maybe I’m just easily pleased, tbh I was glad to just get out and do something! All the best, M
That's the original temple meads station
I used to take "joy rides" since I lived along the Severn Beach line for almost a year last year. Problem is trains are pretty rare.
Just trying to think how regular they were when I did this trip? Not very I don’t think. I bet you saw lots of different weather over the course of a year though! Thanks for the comment 😊👍
good trip and it sounds like a interesting line and place i have driven it on the computer on trains sim lol. you know next time can we not have music please i would much rather listen to the train haha but i enjoyed the video. i been on the prince of wales bridge lots of times
Hi Sion, good to hear from you! You should try this line when you can, I don’t suppose it’s that far from you? I enjoyed it really though the weather wasn’t great. I try and make these into more of an overall story of the trip, rather than a purists thing really but I’m happy to take advice and suggestions on board and yes I might try the no-music approach next time if that’s what people prefer (I’ll see how many 👎 I get 😂)! Been enjoying your stuff too mate, see you back over on insta! M
@@LetsMakeaTrip yeah its about 2 hours away from here lol. have you seen my videos on here and Instagram
When I get time I go through my subs list yes 👍
@@LetsMakeaTrip ok cool
The covered Goods Sheds were I think the largest in Europe ?
Hi, thanks for this and it doesn’t surprise me either I think it’s a fascinating station and tbh this video I wasn’t expecting much from it but I’ve had some really knowledgable insights from everyone who’s commented - which is brilliant and I’ve definitely learnt some stuff about BTM & GWR. Much appreciated, cheers 😊
Hi, just wandering have you been asked about why your travelling during lockdown?
Hi Shane, I’m not travelling during lockdown. But just in case anyone did ask, I felt it prudent to state that at the start of the video (see 0:14). Similarly, all earlier videos were filmed outside of lockdown restrictions or before covid was even a thing. Hope that clears things up. All the best, M
@@LetsMakeaTrip yeah only saw that it was filmed before lockdown after I'd wrote the comment, sorry about that
@@shanemitchelmore7196 hey Shane, no worries. Let’s hope we can all get out and travel safely again soon! Cheers 👍
An interesting video spoilt by the awful, intrusive background music.