Visiting Norwich from Cornwall, what to see?

[bubbles2]

We (Mrs bubbles and myself) are planning a visit to the Norwich area in the coming weeks, ostensibly to see no.3 son Luke, who is studying for his PHD in Norwich, but  I'm planning to take in some rail related attractions while there.

We have rented a cottage in Spixworth north of Norwich, yes I know its near the airport so expect some overhead traffic!

 

I have found information on :-

 

Bressingham http://www.bressingham.co.uk/home.aspx

 

Bure Valley Rly http://www.bvrw.co.uk/trains/boattrain.asp

 

Mid Norfork Rly http://www.mnr.org.uk/ County school station also looks worth a visit, but not sure what the opening times are or what is there.

 

Great Eastern Models http://www.greateasternmodels.co.uk/

 

 

Its 26 year since we have spent much time in Norfork so I'm a little out of touch with the county and would welcome any advice on places to visit.

 

Thanks in advance I will try to post updates of places we get to see with hopefully some pictures.

[DavidR]

If you're in Norfolk, dont forget the North Norfolk Railway (Sheringham-Holt), not far from the Bure Valley Railway; A Sanders 44 bus will take you there, from Aylsham. As with all of these attractions, it's best to check the timetables via individual organisations' websites.Also, the Greater Anglia route from Norwich - Sheringham is an enjoyable ride, with plenty to see.

[Pete 75C]

Yup - Sheringham is an enjoyable visit (I'm biased, living there) and up until the end of October, there should be at least something in steam each day. As the season winds down, the green class 101 dmu usually substitutes on weekdays. You can see the timetable, fares and "what's running" by visiting:

http://www.nnrailway.co.uk/

The Bure Valley Railway at Aylsham station also has an excellent model shop with prices that are quite often Hattons-beating. I find myself making the trip down to Aylsham quite often.

Not sure about Norwich itself as apart from occasional shopping trips, I tend not to stray too far from the North Norfolk coast!

Enjoy your visit.

[Dave Scott]

As an alternative to the bus you could pop into Norwich and take the train to Sherringham NR, reverses at Cromer. It is only a short hop across the road to Sherringham NNR 

[bubbles2]

Thanks for the replies David, Pete and Dave.

 

Yes the North Norfork Rly had cross my mind, we did travel on it 26 years ago so thought we would visit locations we had not seen before also I thought we would concentrate on places closer to hand but I guess its probably at far from Norwich as Bressingham.

Any idea what the travelling time by rail or road is from Norwich to Holt or Sheringham?

[Pete 75C]

Thanks for the replies David, Pete and Dave.

 

Yes the North Norfork Rly had cross my mind, we did travel on it 26 years ago so thought we would visit locations we had not seen before also I thought we would concentrate on places closer to hand but I guess its probably at far from Norwich as Bressingham.

Any idea what the travelling time by rail or road is from Norwich to Holt or Sheringham?

 

Around an hour by either train or the Sanders X44 bus. There's also a new Konect bus service between Sheringham and Norwich, not sure of the route number. I'd add on about another 25 minutes for the Sheringham - Holt leg.

 

Edit: I would imagine a fair bit's changed on the NNR in 26 years but the high street here still has a very traditional feel.

[alfsboy]

If you fancy a walk and have a car then a trip to Horsea beach to possibly see the seals are a treat as is Horsea mill and a meal in the Nelson pub .As everyone else has mentioned the  main railway happenings I will just mention the Wroxham Miniature World which has large layouts though I havnt been there yet .Its near both Wroxham and the Bure Valley line .The NNR is about 40 mins from Norwich driving .off season I usually park at Weybourne and get  a steam  train to Sheringham and get some chips .In Norwich the Cathedral is always worth a look .Have a great time .

[beast66606]

Are you interested in the current railway scene ?

[traction]

I can recommend Miniture Model World.

 

THIS LINK shows photos that I have taken when I was there earlier this year.

 

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

Not too far out from Norwich.

 

Cheers

 

Ian

[Dave Scott]

just a thought the A11 is being improved around the Mildenhall area. Expect delays. Dont know how bad as dont go that way. As we are usually heading for Cromer we go via Swafam and Holt

[beast66606]

just a thought the A11 is being improved around the Mildenhall area. Expect delays. Dont know how bad as dont go that way. As we are usually heading for Cromer we go via Swafam and Holt

 

Only bad at peak times - and then things generally chug along fine.

[TheQ]

If you happen to be up here on the weekend of the 4th Oct the Broadland mrc show is on in Aylsham. You can get tickets for it including a trip from Hoveton on the BVR and an old bus to take you from the BVR to the show.

 

There is Barton house railway which actually is in Wroxham but has odd opening days so you need to see their website.

 

Wroxham miniature worlds is across the road from Wroxham and Hoveton Station in Hoveton.

 

And of course not railway related but a trip on the broads is a good day out, personally I prefer electric day boats rather than have a diesel thumping away. You can get them from pheonix boats in potter heigham or I prefer kingline in Horning. Day boats are around £50 per half day.

 

The Q

Oh you won't be bothered much by aircraft I work in a building at the end of the runway and hardly hear a thing Norwich airport ain't Heathrow.

[wagonman]

Around an hour by either train or the Sanders X44 bus. There's also a new Konect bus service between Sheringham and Norwich, not sure of the route number. I'd add on about another 25 minutes for the Sheringham - Holt leg.

 

Edit: I would imagine a fair bit's changed on the NNR in 26 years but the high street here still has a very traditional feel.

 

The Konnect bus is route 2. It continues from Sheringham to Holt as the 2A. I think it's hourly. As for Norwich, there's not much to see these days; Great Eastern is the only model shop left AFAIK.

[micklner]

NNR and Mid Norfolk both are good value , Sheringham expensive in comparison.

[bubbles2]

Thanks again for all the input, I fear a week will not be long enough.

 

I have seen some pictures of Miniature World and I don't want to sound too stuck up but its still very young and not exactly Pendon, I'm sure the grand children would enjoy it and maybe its a failing on my part but I don't think it would keep me entertained for long.

 

Pete said he imagines the NNR has changed a bit in the 26 years since we have been there, I'm sure he is right, we will try to get there again.

 

Beast asks, am I interested in the current scene, well I would like to see Reedham swing bridge and my map also shows a swing bridge near Somerleyton station, (what a lovely name) and I would like to get a train to Berney Arms, is there a pub there? It looks a bit of a walk to get back to civilisation!

 

Thanks for the mention about the airport TheQ. I have not heard of Barton House railway and will look it up. Yes I would love to explore the broads and had thought of maybe taking my kayak if we took the car but providing the weather is reasonable I would prefer to travel by motorcycle out of choice and haven't found a way of transporting the kayak on that yet but a day boat sound a good option.

 

Alsfboy, where is Horsea beach and The Nelson pub?

[beast66606]

Nothing at Berney Arms other than a nice walk back to Yarmouth - it's a 4-5 mile walk - and the pub, which is shut down apparently.

 

Reedham is easy to see from the road which overlooks it - http://goo.gl/maps/XMcfg

 

Somerleyton is near the station.

 

Only units - 153 / 156 / 170 working over the bridges at the moment as loco hauled in banned from Acle, so the short set (DMU replacement by 47s) is not out.

[Satan's Goldfish]

As a former Spixworth resident, the most convenient from Spixworth is BVR as Coltishall and Wroxham are just up the road (I used to drive to Colt then do the walk beside the line) Don't worry about aircraft noise, i never noticed any when i lived there. 'Great Eastern' Model shop is a quick trip into the city from there too (Drive into the ring road and turn left, Follow the ring road until you're through 'Mousehold Heath' then turn right at the next roundabout and it's opposite Aldi. Closed Mondays if i remember rightly), Howes is now my local model shop but i still prefer going back to Great Eastern as they usually have a much much larger range in stock. 

 

HTH

[alfsboy]

Thanks again for all the input, I fear a week will not be long enough.

 

I have seen some pictures of Miniature World and I don't want to sound too stuck up but its still very young and not exactly Pendon, I'm sure the grand children would enjoy it and maybe its a failing on my part but I don't think it would keep me entertained for long.

 

Pete said he imagines the NNR has changed a bit in the 26 years since we have been there, I'm sure he is right, we will try to get there again.

 

Beast asks, am I interested in the current scene, well I would like to see Reedham swing bridge and my map also shows a swing bridge near Somerleyton station, (what a lovely name) and I would like to get a train to Berney Arms, is there a pub there? It looks a bit of a walk to get back to civilisation!

 

Thanks for the mention about the airport TheQ. I have not heard of Barton House railway and will look it up. Yes I would love to explore the broads and had thought of maybe taking my kayak if we took the car but providing the weather is reasonable I would prefer to travel by motorcycle out of choice and haven't found a way of transporting the kayak on that yet but a day boat sound a good option.

 

Alsfboy, where is Horsea beach and The Nelson pub?

Horsea is on the coast road sort of up from Gt Yarmouth and lower than Sea Palling  if you get the drift .The mill and  Meer is inland about a mile and the seals ,if any are there at present  at usually between Horsea and Winterton.Of course being Norfolk everything is understated and peaceful ...usually .No trains there what so over except the ghost of the M&GN further over

.The Nelson is on the road to the beach .Great pub and you can usually park to get to the seals and have a meal .Meals are good .If you ring them they will also tell you if the seals  are there .

Here is one I prepared earlier

 

[Satan's Goldfish]

.........plus looking for it on a map it's spelt Horsey The river by the old wind pump is quite nice there if the weather's good. Used to be the B1159 going through it but i think there's been a reallocation of road numbers around there.

[alfsboy]

You are quite right about the spelling. I just go there  .

[eastwestdivide]

Just to confirm the Berney Arms pubs was closed when we visited a couple of weeks back on 17th Sep - someone at Reedham said new people had bought it, done it up and then had some problem.

Edit: photo

and also at http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/196-creative-photography-railway-related/?p=1605621

 

Also the windmill there is not open to the public. 

But you can get the train arriving around midday and come back around 3.15 if you'd like a bit of peace and quiet. No shelter whatsoever though if the weather turns, so take a picnic, umbrella, etc.

Pleasant enough pub at Reedham with a view of the bridge.

 

Also keep an eye open for those new-fangled class 68 locos around Norwich station. They were parked in what you might call platform 0 when we were there.

Miniature World maybe a bit expensive, but a good display of the "100 best toys" as well as the layouts photographed in the thread mentioned above.

 

We had a good guided electric boat trip from Wroxham tourist info - the skipper knew where to look for kingfishers, and there's also an enthusiastic electric boat guide at the Hickling Broad wildlife place.

[TheQ]

If you did take the kayak you'd need to get broads tax on it, which this year is £6.75 a week for a short period toll( or £30 a year annual toll). Or if you are a member of the British canoe union you're covered as part of your membership.

theberneyarms.co.uk would seem to indicate its still operational. Oops update the Berney  Closed on the 25th August with the tenants moving out and the landlords have put the place up for sale,

see       The Norfolk Broads Forum  / Pubs and Restaurants  / Berney Arms

It would be possible to go to Horsey by boat and walk from there but then you're paying for boat hire time while you walk and visit the pub. With binoculars I can see the sand dunes at Horsey from my railway shed so I have a good view from the work bench once I finish the shed.

If you wish to see wildlife then hire the day boat from phoenix by the old bridge in potter heigham And go up river to hickling broad and Horsey Mere.

For more information on the broads go to the-norfolk-broads.co.uk we're generally a friendly mob on there just ignore the usual "war" between stinkies( motorboats) and sailies and fishermen plus the general dislike of the head of the broads authority.

[wagonman]

If you want seals then Blakeney Point is probably the best bet – boats from Morton Quay depending on the tides. http://www.sealtrips.co.uk/ is one operator – there are others.

[alfsboy]

If you want seals then Blakeney Point is probably the best bet – boats from Morton Quay depending on the tides. http://www.sealtrips.co.uk/ is one operator – there are others.

Thats too easy and costs money .......  :-),also at Horsey you can walk right up to them and get attacked by an amorous male or a comely female   with those lovely eyes and see a pup if any are around,all  at close quarters  ,about 6 feet is sensible .Of course if the weathers awful its a long walk with no shelter but a good pub to dry off in  on the way back .In that case go with the tourists to Blackney .

[bubbles2]

Thanks everyone for all the great local info, we will try to put it to good use.