Strawberry Line Britain's favourite footpath

[Magdalia]

I heard about this on the radio and found this on the BBC website:

Somerset's Strawberry Line named Britain's favourite walking path

The traffic-free route has been maintained by volunteers since the railway closed in the late 1960s.

www.bbc.co.uk

An abandoned railway line which volunteers transformed into a much-loved walking and cycling route has been named Britain's favourite path.

The Strawberry Line path which runs through Somerset, was crowned this year's winner by walking charity The Ramblers following a month-long public vote.

The winning path follows the route of a disused Great Western Railway branch line which ran from Witham Junction to Yatton via Shepton Mallet, Wells and Cheddar.

 

[chipbury]

I cycle it regularly, there’s quite a few things of railway interest including some rolling stock at Sandford station.
The cafe on Yatton station is good as well.

 

[Mcr Warrior]

What were the other routes in contention for the award?

 

[Gloster]

The photo in the BBC item is probably the Home Counties Railway Society’s Mendip Railtour on 6 October 1963, four weeks after passenger closure on 9 September, leaving the line at Witham. The line remained open throughout for goods for another year. The locos were 4103 and 6148.

Source: Hurst’s Register.

 

[gswindale]

What were the other routes in contention for the award?

https://www.ramblers.org.uk/britains-favourite-path-2026-shortlist

Buttermere circular path
Little Ouse path
Pinnacle Hill path
Holy Island Causeway
Loch Lomond path
Devils Dyke path
Cwm Idwal path
Strawberry Line path