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West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust LTD

Also known as: The West Somerset Steam Railway Trust Limited, West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust

The Charity is principally engaged in Museums management, Collections management and care, Restoration of heritage railway carriages and Education, Learning and Community Outreach in relation to heritage railways, their social and economic history and their relationship to the environment.

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Activities & Mission

The Charity is principally engaged in Museums management, Collections management and care, Restoration of heritage railway carriages and Education, Learning and Community Outreach in relation to heritage railways, their social and economic history and their relationship to the environment.

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Financial Information

Latest Income
£3,046,688
Latest Expenditure
£77,847

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 2.6%
% of income going directly to charitable activities

Higher than 1% of UK Heritage charities with income £1M to £10M (sample: 153). How is this calculated?

Overall Efficiency 100.0%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)

Higher than 100% of UK Heritage charities with income £1M to £10M. How is this calculated?

Administrative Ratio 11.3%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Lower overhead than 48% of UK Heritage charities with income £1M to £10M. (Lower overhead is generally read as more efficient.) How is this calculated?

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £3,035,300
Charitable Activities £2,200
Other Trading £0
Investments £9,188
Other Income £0

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £77,847
Raising Funds £0
Governance £8,760
Grants to Institutions £6,170
Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2024.

One or more years show a significant change in income (over ±100%) compared with the prior year. This usually reflects a merger, transfer of activities, restated accounts, or a one-off legacy — not necessarily a real change in operating scale. See the methodology for context.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2024
£3,046,688
£77,847£77,847£3,640,566£208,6310 / 70
2023
£25,428
£47,1220 / 60
2022
£160,679
£72,0940 / 50
2021
£259,507
£52,0560 / 65
2020
£99,896
£110,7270 / 60

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust LTD

What does West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust LTD do?

The Charity is principally engaged in Museums management, Collections management and care, Restoration of heritage railway carriages and Education, Learning and Community Outreach in relation to heritage railways, their social and economic history and their relationship to the environment.

How much income did West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust LTD report in 2024?

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust LTD reported total income of £3.05m and reported expenditure of £78k for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

How efficient is West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust LTD?

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust LTD has a program ratio of 2.6%, meaning that share of its income goes directly to charitable activities. This is higher than 1% of UK Heritage charities with income £1M to £10M (sample of 153 charities). See our methodology for how this is calculated.

When was West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust LTD registered as a charity?

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust LTD was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 18 April 1973 as charity number 265564. It has been registered for 53 years.

Who runs West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust LTD?

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust LTD is governed by a board of 9 trustees. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust LTD operate?

West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust LTD operates in England And Wales, as recorded in its Charity Commission filing.

Is West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust LTD a registered charity?

Yes — West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust LTD is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 265564.

Details

Address
THE RAILWAY STATION
BISHOPS LYDEARD
TAUNTON
SOMERSET
TA4 3BX
Registration Date
18 April 1973
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
265564
Charity Number
265564

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Other notable Heritage charities

Major UK charities in the same primary sector, drawn from the curated priority cohort.

Trustees

Christopher Darke
Don Fraser
Helen Elizabeth Anson
Ian David Camp
IAN KENNETH COLEBY
Also governs 1 other charity
John Robinson
Martin Hughes Brown
Michael Henry Thompson
Steve Williams

Sectors & Classifications

Heritage

Also Known As

  • The West Somerset Steam Railway Trust Limited
  • West Somerset Railway Heritage Trust

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
30 July 2026
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