Opinions on Bure Valley & Bressingham

[CarltonA]

I am planning a short break in Norfolk this autumn. I'd be interested to hear comments on the Bure Valley and Bressingham. Are these basically miniature train rides aimed at children and casual day trippers? Or is there something for the more seriously inclined?

 

[A0]

I am planning a short break in Norfolk this autumn. I'd be interested to hear comments on the Bure Valley and Bressingham. Are these basically miniature train rides aimed at children and casual day trippers? Or is there something for the more seriously inclined?

The Bure Valley is basically the same principle as the RHDR or Ravenglass except running through Norfolk. Nice if you like that (I do as it happens).

Bressingham has 3 narrow gauge lines - which I know they're trying to do up a bit, but was looking a bit tired in parts when I visited last year - plus the standard gauge, but that's a demo line and runs much less often.

Depending on where you're staying - the North Norfolk is probably the best of the heritage lines in the area. The Mid-Norfolk's OK if you like diesels, though it is due to have Flying Scotsman there in October.

If you want more than just trains the East Anglian Transport Museum at Carlton Colville near Lowestoft's looks quite good, but I've not been there so can't comment.

 

[CarltonA]

Depending on where you're staying - the North Norfolk is probably the best of the heritage lines in the area. The Mid-Norfolk's OK if you like diesels, though it is due to have Flying Scotsman there in October.

Thanks, I'll be staying in Great Yarmouth. I've done the North Norfolk twice already (not averse to going again at some point). The Bure Valley is included in the package along with a river trip anyway. Thought I would call in at Bressingham on the way home possibly.

 

[A0]

Thanks, I'll be staying in Great Yarmouth. I've done the North Norfolk twice already (not averse to going again at some point). The Bure Valley is included in the package along with a river trip anyway. Thought I would call in at Bressingham on the way home possibly.

If you want to get a bit more an idea about Bressingham, worth watching the Channel 5 programme 'Inside the Steam Train Museum' which is on catch up. Gives you a view of what they do etc, might help you decide ?

5

www.channel5.com

The other places you could look at on your journey home (assuming your location is where you're heading to) would be the Mid Suffolk Railway at Wethringsett near Stowmarket, The East Anglian Railway Museum at Wakes Colne and the Colne Valley Railway at Castle Hedingham.

Obviously with the current pandemic, it's a bit difficult to tell whether they'll be open or what they'll be doing, but all have websites that can advise.

 

[CarltonA]

The Mid Suffolk could be a possibility. I will check websites nearer the time. Thanks.

 

[Cymroglan]

Just to develop a thought from an earlier post. I visited the East Anglian Transport Museum at Carlton Colville near Lowestoft a few years ago and loved it. Lots of stuff relating to public transport, (pretty much exclusively road) and a fantastic short ride in an old Bournemouth trolleybus. A very friendly place and most unusual!
I’ve enjoyed several visits to Bressingham and it is an interesting place, especially if you have a side hustle in gardening as I do. I agree with an earlier poster that it did feel increasingly in need of smartening at points.

 

[EbbwJunction1]

I went to Bressingham last year, and enjoyed virtually a full day there. Two of the railways were running, but the stock for the other one was visible. The standard gauge line doesn't look as if it runs very often, but the sheds were accessible.

As has been said above, there's much more than just the railways. There's a large museum, with road vehicles and tractors as well as quite a few engines. It's also the official "Dad's Army" Museum, and quite a few of the vehicles used in the series are there. I'm not into gardens and gardening, but it was quite pleasant to travel through them on the railways.

I'm not sure that I'd go again, because I've seen everything that I want to see, but if you haven't been there, it's worth doing so. One word of warning ... if you don't have your own transport, the bus service from and back to Diss (the nearest station) is not very frequent, but it is manageable with a bit of work.