The next stop on the Most Excellent Railway Adventure was the North Norfolk Railway (NNR).
This is a superbly presented railway, running from Sheringham to Holt, and is well worth a visit. This railway is a step above most of those that we’ve travelled on so far, inasmuch that it’s a full-size railway, with “real” old rolling stock and engines, as opposed to some of the more “hobby-ist” railways we’ve visited. They’re all good fun - but this one is bigger - the biggest so far apart from British Rail.
But don’t let that put you off, far from being diminished by the size, the NNR lives up to it, and gives you a full-scale, authentic heritage railway. The carriages and engines are great in themselves, but for me the NNR really scores highly for its complete attention to detail. There are barrows of suitcases around the stations, awaiting the attention of the porter. There are authentic tin signs, old bicycles, beautifully kept flower beds (seen one of those at your local BR station recently?). It’s all a lovely blast from the past. Even the volunteers who staff and run the railway dress in realistic clothing. Wonderful.
A new addition this year are the voluntary donation boxes, which invite you to choose the project that your loose change will go to support. It’s not compulsory, but I defy you not to add your own 50p worth after looking around this lovely railway. When the level crossing across the coast road is in place, the NNR will have access to the national rail network, and vice versa…..more visitors, more inventive excursions, the future looks very bright!
One warning I must give you, with regard to your travelling time TO your starting station. Work out how long you think it will take, the night before, and then double it. We’ve been to this railway before and “just” made the departure time, and the same happened today when we allowed an hour to drive the 33 miles, and ended up sprinting up to the ticket office at the very last moment. It’s because of Sunday drivers, tractors, caravans, and all the other extra stuff you find on Norfolk’s roads that you don’t find in most of the rest of the country.
Anyway, once you’re there you’re in for a lovely visit. The price for unlimited travel for a day is £10 for adults, and £7.50 for 5 to 15 year olds, which does seem slightly costly. As you ride between the Holt and Sheringham stations you are rewarded with beautiful views of the sea over heathland, and it’s all rather splendid - and over too fast. On my own, I would ride up and down the line all day, with Sam we made the one trip, with a lot of fun in Sheringham in between trips.
We’ve been to the NNR before. We’ll definitely go again!
Six down….errrrm…..more to go…..
