The North Norfolk Railway — universally known as the Poppy Line — is East Anglia’s premier heritage railway, steaming for five and a quarter glorious miles between the Victorian seaside resort of Sheringham and the Georgian town of Holt. The route runs through some of Norfolk’s loveliest coastal scenery, with the sea sparkling on one side and poppy-strewn countryside on the other, and it’s run almost entirely by devoted volunteers who make every journey a pleasure.
Riding the Poppy Line
Beautifully restored steam locomotives haul 1950s and 60s carriages between three charming period stations — Sheringham, Weybourne and Holt — with heritage diesels running alongside. The best-value ticket is the rover, giving unlimited hop-on hop-off travel all day: ride to Holt for the town’s Georgian streets, stop at Weybourne for the engine sheds, a picnic and a walk to the beach, then trundle back to Sheringham for fish and chips by the sea. Booking online in advance earns a healthy discount.
Dining Trains and Special Events
The Poppy Line’s events calendar is one of the best of any heritage railway: cream tea and fish-and-chip trains, gin trains, murder mystery evenings and full dining services, plus steam galas, a hugely popular 1940s weekend that takes over the whole of Sheringham, and the magical Norfolk Lights Express and Santa specials in winter. These sell out well ahead, so book early.
Visiting the North Norfolk Railway
Sheringham station is in the town centre, two minutes from the mainline station (direct trains from Norwich), making this an easy car-free day out; there’s free parking at Holt, though note Holt station is about a mile from the town. Trains run most days from spring to autumn and for winter events — check the timetable for steam days before travelling. Families can make a perfect Sheringham day by pairing the railway with Splash leisure centre, or ride the coast road on to the seals at Blakeney Point.
Book Your Visit
Timetables, rover tickets, dining trains and special events are on the official North Norfolk Railway website.
Visit The North Norfolk Railway WebsiteWhere to stay: Holiday Cottages • Hotels