The Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust Ltd.
Analysis
The Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust Ltd. is a registered charity in England and Wales, based in Dorset. It was registered in October 2014, 12 years ago. Its declared purposes cover arts/culture/heritage/science, which this site groups under arts, culture, heritage and science. Legally it is a charitable company (Companies House number 08945535). It says it other charitable activities.
In the financial year ending December 2025, The Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust Ltd. reported income of £319k and spending of £50k, leaving 84% of income unspent that year. Across the 5 years on record, from December 2021 to December 2025, income grew from £85k to £319k (+277%), an average of +39% a year. The sharpest change came in the year to December 2024, when income rose by 250%. Over the whole period it spent 26% of the income it received.
Among 17,634 England and Wales charities whose main cause is arts, culture, heritage and science and that reported income, The Somerset and Dorset Railway Trust Ltd. sits at the 89th percentile: it is larger than about 89% of them. Against every charity in England and Wales with reported income it ranks in the 86th percentile. Charities of a similar size with the same main cause include Alexander Whitley Dance Company (£318k), The Sid Vale Association CIO (£319k) and The East Anglia Transport Museum Society Limited (£318k).
Income and spending
Where the income comes from
- Other 100%
In the charity's own words
The Trust aims to keep alive the history and importance of the Somerset & Dorset Railway and its predecessor companies, through the preservation, custodianship, display and interpretation of material evidence. Furthermore to promote and facilitate public understanding of the significance of the Somerset & Dorset Railway as a major cross country rail route.
Similar-sized charities, same cause
| Charity | Location | Income |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Whitley Dance Company | Ipswich | £318k |
| The Sid Vale Association CIO | Devon | £319k |
| The East Anglia Transport Museum Society Limited | Suffolk | £318k |
| London Gay Mens Chorus (LGMC) | London | £319k |