Bressingham Steam Museum & Gardens

The railway engines here are the real draw - not tucked behind glass but out on the tracks where you can actually hear them rumble past. Bressingham's a working steam museum just outside Norwich, and it's genuinely one for the transport-minded rather than the casual stroller.

You get a proper ride on a narrow-gauge steam train, which takes about 20 minutes and winds through the gardens. Kids absolutely love it; adults get that slightly nostalgic kick from watching the steam and hearing the hiss of the brakes. There are vintage engines on display throughout the grounds, and if you're into mechanical things, you could easily spend two or three hours poking around the collections.

The gardens themselves are secondary - they're pleasant enough but not the main event. The real appeal is watching the trains operate, especially on running days when the whole place comes alive.

Practically speaking, it's seasonal, so check before you go. Allow a good three hours if you want to ride the train and look around properly. If you're staying at Applewood Countryside Holidays nearby, it's close enough for a morning visit without eating into your whole day. Fair warning though - the novelty of watching steam engines wears thin if you're not already keen on railways. Not one for the restless or the uninterested in industrial history.