The station was opened by the Great Western Railway on 1 September 1856 on its Wilts, Somerset and Weymouth main line. At that time this was just a single track but a loop was provided at Bruton to allow trains to pass. Stone buildings were erected on both platforms, and a footbridge linked the platforms from 1895. A signal box was provided from 1877 at the west end of the station.[2]
The goods yard, which was on the north side of the line opposite the signal box, was closed on 5 April 1965 and the station was downgraded to an unstaffed halt from 6 October 1969 under the Western Region of British Railways.
Stationmasters
John George Indermaur 1856[3] - 1862 (formerly station master at Keynsham)
William Matthew Mitcham 1863 - 1865 (formerly station master at Maiden Newton, afterwards station master at Frome)
William Edward Bock 1865[4] - 1866 (afterwards station master at Maiden Newton)
G.E. Nailor 1925 - 1927 (afterwards station master at Castle Cary)
Godfrey Beaconsfield Taylor ca. 1929 ca. 1931
G. Bennett from 1947[10] (formerly station master at Hullavington)
W. Wilcox for six years in charge of the goods department at Warminster is reported as being appointed stationmaster in 1888[11] however, Arthur Dagg is still recorded as station master in the GWR Register of Clerks in 1890 and in the 1891 census.
Facilities
The station has two platforms with a modern glass-and-metal waiting shelter on each. A footbridge enables passengers to cross the line. There is no wheelchair access to the far platform (for trains arriving from Bristol and going to Weymouth). The station has a bike rack and help points.
Great Western Railway operates eight trains each way on the Bristol to Weymouth line during the week and five on Sundays. It is not a regular service; there are some gaps of up to three hours between trains. To the north services run to and from Bath Spa and Bristol Temple Meads via Westbury. Most are extended beyond Bristol to and from Gloucester. To the south trains run to Yeovil Pen Mill and Weymouth.[13]
