Location notes
Just off the main A38 between Tiverton and Wellington. This was the location of the temporary terminus of the Bristol and Exeter railway before Whiteball Tunnel was completed.
Railway type and traffic
Mainly FGW HSTs and Arriva Cross Country DMUs and HST sets plus a peppering of freight workings. Regular steam workings at weekends during the high summer.
Environment
This is a farm track running parallel to the mainline, good for photography and video. Very safe the only people you are likely to see are a few dog walkers.
Road directions
From Wellington:
Head along the A38 towards Exeter. About a mile out of Wellington you will come to a roundabout take the 2nd exit. Continue about 3/4 mile until you see the sign for Sampford Arundel.
From Tiverton:
On the A38 head towards Wellington past Whiteball. Head down a long hill. At the foot of the hill you will see a sign for Sampford Arundel.
You will also find a pub called the Inn at Sampford. Turn right here. A few yards on turn right again until you see a lay-by. Park here the track is visible.
Beam Bridge map co-ordinates
Head along the A38 towards Exeter. About a mile out of Wellington you will come to a roundabout take the 2nd exit. Continue about 3/4 mile until you see the sign for Sampford Arundel.
From Tiverton:
On the A38 head towards Wellington past Whiteball. Head down a long hill. At the foot of the hill you will see a sign for Sampford Arundel.
You will also find a pub called the Inn at Sampford. Turn right here. A few yards on turn right again until you see a lay-by. Park here the track is visible.
Beam Bridge map co-ordinates
Parking
There is a Lay-by for parking plus the pub has a car park.
Public transport
There is a bus stop next to the Inn at Sampford. Both the 92 (Taunton to Exeter) and the 92A (Tiverton to Taunton) buses stop there. If in doubt ask the bus driver to let you know where to get off. Beam Bridge is well known on this route.
Amenities
There are facilities available in the nearby pub.
Accommodation
The nearby pub 'Inn at Sampford' is a B&B. Less than a minutes walk away.
Where on the map
Sun Compass
Open this Image in a new window and use as a sun compass with the links below.
Streetmap links
Beam Bridge general view map
Beam Bridge close up map
Multimap links
Beam Bridge on new multimap
Beam Bridge general view map
Beam Bridge close up map
Beam Bridge aerial view (where available)
Windows Local Live Link - image quality may vary
Beam Bridge
Some areas not available at all zoom levels,.
Helpful location information
Railway Gen Group
Photographic notes
Light is best in the afternoon and early evening. If the sun is out early morning shots are particularly difficult. You can easily shoot both directions. The best position is halfway down the track. This location is excellent for shooting both up and down trains.
As the location is fairly rural it is excellent for video as there is little outside noise.
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
As the location is fairly rural it is excellent for video as there is little outside noise.
If you do find this information useful then please feel free to mention how you 'found' the location on your website or magazine submission.
Offical Guidelines for Railway Enthusiasts
British Transport Police Guidelines for rail enthusiaist
Network Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
ATOC/National Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
If you see anything suspicious the British Transport Police can be contacted on their crime telephone number:
0800 405040
Help all us railway enthusiasts get a better name by helping the British Transport Police catch the cable thief's and vandals.
Network Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
ATOC/National Rail Guidelines for rail enthusiasts
If you see anything suspicious the British Transport Police can be contacted on their crime telephone number:
0800 405040
Help all us railway enthusiasts get a better name by helping the British Transport Police catch the cable thief's and vandals.
General views - All photographs © John White unless otherwise stated
Fig 1 - Looking north
Fig 2 - Looking north
Fig 3 - Looking south
Disclaimer
All information contained within this is site is © Trainspots. The images used on this site remain the property of the original photographer, as credited at the top of the page, and are used with their kind permission.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavor to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
The information on these pages is supplied for the benefit of railway enthusiasts who carry out a harmless hobby, and through the medium of photography and video, actually promote the railway industry. Railway enthusiasts can also act as eyes and ears against railway vandalism, and as such should surely be encouraged to do so by the supply of adequate information such as is found on this website.
This site has been created to assist railway photographers in their travels around the country. It is based on the personal knowledge and experience. No liability can be held against the web site or its contributions for incorrect information. Trainspots will endeavor to check all information and corrections will be accepted and posted accordingly.
Advice as to the locations general environment is given as a guide on each page. This information is a GUIDE only. ALWAYS be careful with your equipment, Trainspots can not be held responsible for your personal security. Avoid leaving your property on display for all to see, be aware of your surroundings at all times. There are, sadly, people who will not think twice about trying to steal your equipment.
Trainspots DOES NOT condone trespass and none of the information on this site should be taken as a right to trespass. To the best of our knowledge all locations are publicly accessible areas, where they are not contact information will be given to the appropriate authority for permission to be obtained.
The content of this site is created and intended for all age ranges but the content of sites linked from this site are not subject to the same intentions. Trainspots will attempt to check links for validity but as time passes and the site grows this will not always be possible. Broken, or indeed updates to, links should be submitted to the editor for inclusion in the updates. All links external to the Trainspots site are opened in a new browser window.
Please enjoy this guide to UK Railway Photographic Locations.
