All things days out

The Bure Valley Railway is Norfolk’s longest Narrow Gauge Steam Railway and operates between the old market town of Aylsham and the bustling Broads towns of Wroxham and is within easy reach of Norwich and the coast.   It was built on the track bed of part of the former Great Eastern Railway and the nine mile line runs through a stretch of lovely, rural Norfolk, following the river Bure through meadowland and ancient pastures, stopping occasionally at small country villages.

Trains operate on a daily basis from the beginning of Easter to the end of October with special events throughout the year, including Santa and Mince Pie Specials.  For those who would like to realise their childhood ambitions to be a train driver, Driver Experience Courses are available during the off-peak periods.

The railway’s facilities include an 80-seater café at Aylsham, which can provide everything from a cup of team to a full meal, a large souvenir and model railway shop.   The railway’s workshops are also based at Aylsham and often open to the public.   At Wroxham Station there is a gift shop and a large second-hand book shop with over 5,000 books run by the Friends of the Bure Valley Railway.  

All trains have special wheelchair accessible coaches and disabled toilet facilities at both Stations.  Free parking is also available at both Stations. We are also Dog Friendly.

Sheringham’s Little Theatre is closely connected in so many ways.  Established for six decades, it comes with that hard-earned reputation for being an essential component of the coastal community.  

Standing proud opposite the Town’s Clock Tower, it faces due North towards the sea that has shaped Sheringham’s history.  A force to be reckoned with, both its summer repertory season and its traditional pantomime are legendary in the British theatre industry, reflected by the audiences filling the 160 brand new seats and who are happy to just keep on coming back for more.  

Showcasing Sheringham’s stage and screen, it connects with people across wide ranging tastes.  Both the Little Theatre Players and numerous touring companies perform a superb selection of classic plays as well as the best of modern material.  

The satellite dish and full-size silver screen present a much sought after connection with world class ballet and opera.  Fans of mainstream movies are not forgotten and are well catered for alongside maestros of music from all genres.

The service called Friendly Faces features an informal link for new-comers and those who feel daunted at attending on their own; tangible proof of the Theatre’s credentials for wishing to connect with all who choose to come along.      

Open six days every week, the Hub Café provides a warm and welcoming destination, an amazingly popular venue for everyone to catch up over a cuppa and cake.  For those who yearn for a closer involvement, there is a fun and enjoyable adult drama group, plus drama workshops for 6 to 16 year olds.  Why go anywhere else when you can come to your local Theatre and be on a proper stage? 

Sheringham has the benefit of regular direct transport connections with local communities and with Norwich itself by both bus and rail services.  The Little Theatre has several car parks in the vicinity which are a level walk away.  Morris Street is the closest at only a few minutes’ wander and is free of charge in the evenings.  Once inside the Theatre foyer, it is a level access to the café, toilets and front row of the auditorium – making the trip out easier for those with limited mobility. 

All the numerous events need a happy team on hand to ensure they run smoothly.  Volunteers play an essential part, helping with a variety of tasks, including welcoming visitors, selling programmes or serving in the café bar.  Anyone who has a couple of hours to spare from time to time would be genuinely welcome to join the team.  Your contribution would help ensure the sustainability of your well-connected Sheringham Little Theatre for you, your children and your grandchildren.  

Situated nearby to Loddon and Beccles our gardens surround Raveningham Hall, home to Sir Nicholas and Lady Bacon (and home to the Bacon family since 1735).

Enjoy the beauty of our varied and ever-changing floral seasons. The Gardens are set out as the Edwardian plans with large herbaceous borders surrounding a Victorian walled kitchen garden. In the 1960s the planting was enhanced by the inspiration of Priscilla, Lady Bacon an energetic plantswoman who collected many rare species from around the world transforming the garden over 50 years. The walled kitchen garden was brought back to full working order in the last 20 years and is now producing fruit and vegetables for the House. There is a fine late 19th century Boulton and Paul range of glasshouses, stocked conservatory and melon pits, all in working order.

A Millennium project by Nicholas Bacon to build a lake on the North side of the House is now firmly established as is an Arboretum that was planted after the destruction of a wood in the 1987 gale; this gave an opportunity to plant a large variety of trees and shrubs under a plan designed by the eminent plantsman Roy Lancaster. New additions to the garden include a Herb Garden, a Stumpery and a garden designed around Francis Bacon’s essays based on the passage of time.

The main specialities of the garden are snowdrops followed by bulbs in early spring, later in the season agapanthus are a main feature. Our Gardens are circa 10 acres all in a glorious 18th Century parkland setting with sculpture by Susan Bacon in and around the gardens. Well behaved dogs on leads are welcome.

Main Season Opening Times

We are open for both individual visits and Group Tours of 10-30 people.

Our Gardens and Tea Room are open throughout February 11-4pm (closed Saturdays) and on set days April to August. Please see our website www.raveningham.com  for opening days & times.

Friends of Raveningham Gardens

Become a friend and visit throughout our opening times for just £20 per person.

Please contact sonya@raveningham.com 01508 548480 for all enquiries, individual or group.

We look forward to welcoming you to our living garden.

Enjoy the only waterside Museum of Broadland life at the historic and picturesque Stalham Staithe.  We are family and dog friendly, have an accessible site, with a small café and picnic area.

So why visit?

• Superb displays using a variety of media telling the story of the Broads including Vikings!
• A cracking range of boats ranging from a water bicycle, an airborne lifeboat, racing yachts, punts to an ice yacht and loads more!
• Plenty to do for Children including our play boat, our steering boat and why not try out our new Ellis Eel trails for families!
• Displays of life on the Broads from marshmen, boatbuilders to holidaymakers and including life during the two World Wars.
• Sail back in time and watch Broads wildlife on board our Victorian steam boat, ‘Falcon' or on our electric accessible boat "Marsh Harrier"
• Take a hat selfie during your visit and share it online.
• Our lovely riverside setting is perfect for a picnic
• Free entry to our shop and cafe selling gifts, some great books plus hot and cold drinks, snacks and ice cream.

Don’t just take our word for it check out our Trip Advisor reviews and #makeitstalham 

2022 Opening times and admission prices:

The Museum will open again in March (date to be confirmed) 

Adult: £6, Children and Young People  (5-18): £2.00

Family Tickets available (see website for details)

All above tickets are valid for one year from purchase.

Free admission to: Children under 5, Friends of the Museum, a Carer of a Disabled visitor, and members of the Museums Association (please show card).  Please note, we are not part of Norfolk Museums Service and cannot accept their pass card.

Steamboat trips 50 mins: Adult: £6.00, Child: £3.00; 30 mins: Adult: £4.50, Child: £2.50

Under fives free.  Well behaved dogs are welcome.

Bressingham Gardens 
The unique Bressingham Gardens are renowned worldwide for their horticultural excellence. With nearly 20 acres, four linking gardens and 8,000 plant species they can are a truly tranquil place, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the scenery. 

The Bressingham Collections 
Take a trip on one of the four railways at Bressingham, the collection of working locomotives will take you round our magnificent gardens and woodland, or ride on the Victorian Steam Gallopers. 

A trip to the locomotive sheds brings the power and the glory of mighty steam engineering up close. The National Dad's Army collection lets you wander through Walmington-on-Sea looking at original props and vehicles from the series, you'd be a 'stupid boy' to miss it!

Delightful natural woodland and water garden with a private Broad. 

The Sensory Garden is the first thing you’ll see as you walk into Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden. It has been designed with our visually and mobility impaired customers in mind.

In spring the garden 'springs' into life again. The primroses come into flower along the Broads Walk and the woodland paths. In May the glorious sight of bluebells will delight you, and our spectacular candelabra primulas, together with azaleas and rhododendrons.

There's lots of activity among the water birds and if you are lucky you may see a flash of vivid blue as the kingfisher dives for its prey.

In Summer there are flowers and shrubs including hydrangeas – in particular along our Hydrangea Walk – foxgloves and many other wild flowers. Several varieties of butterflies can be seen on our butterfly path.

Autumn brings its own special pleasure, the glow of the golds, reds and browns of the trees as they shed their leaves. The stark contrast of bare branches in Winter has a different kind of beauty, and withering birds come to shelter in the broads.

In December you can buy Christmas trees, wreaths and gifts and Father Christmas will visit before Christmas with gifts for children.

Fairhaven has three miles of peaceful walks. Boat trips are available on our Private Broad and South Walsham Broad from Easter to the end of October, including trips to St Benet's Abbey.

There is a plant sales area which specialises in woodland and bog plants, a Gift Shop, small provisions shop and the Kingfisher Tearoom for breakfast (from 9.15am) morning coffees, lunches and afternoon teas, using the best of local produce. Free entry to tearoom, shop and plant sales.

Dogs welcome on leads (small charge for poop scoop).