North Norfolk Railway

A short stretch of restored railway line running between Sheringham and Kelling Heath, the North Norfolk Railway operates heritage steam trains that rattle along the Norfolk coast with genuine character. You're riding in proper old carriages pulled by vintage locomotives - the kind of thing that makes railway enthusiasts genuinely excited and kids press their noses to the windows for the full journey.

The line covers about five miles, taking around 30 minutes each way, and stops at intermediate stations including Weybourne. It's the sort of attraction that works best if you actually like trains rather than just the idea of them - the experience is the point here, not some secondary feature. The locomotives are maintained to working order, and on a decent day you get proper steam and the smell of coal.

Historically minded visitors will appreciate the effort gone into restoring the line and the period detail in the stations. It's genuinely interesting if you're into that sort of thing, but I'd be honest - it's perhaps an hour's entertainment rather than a full day out. That said, it slots perfectly into a Norfolk holiday based near Cromer, especially if you're staying at Beeston Regis or Woodlands just up the coast. Combine it with a walk along the beach at Sheringham or a proper crab lunch in town, and it becomes a decent half-day. Spring and autumn are best - summer gets rammed with families, winter services are patchy. Check ahead for running days and book tickets in advance during school holidays.