| All aboard |
| Rev up your engine and make tracks back in time on our jolly jaunt
into vehicular history, with steam engines, motorcycles and more |
Norfolk is a steam lover's paradise, with no fewer than four steam museums. But the
history of planes, trains and automobiles in this county is even richer, so we've included as broad a spread as possible of different forms of transport, with a Wurlitzer organ thrown in for good measure.
1. The steam experience
The North Norfolk Railway goes from Sheringham to Holt via Weybourne, and even makes
occasional stops at Kelling Heath Holiday Park, where we stayed. Check the timetables as some
services run diesel instead of steam engines. Special events include Thomas the Tank Engine days, and Railway Experience days, when you can be the guard, operate the signals box or even step onto the footplate and drive an engine. A round trip takes just over an hour, though we would recommend stopping in Holt if you have the time as it's a great place to shop for antiques and
bric-a-brac.
2. Ready for action
The Muckleburgh Collection is the UK's biggest museum of working military vehicles, but the curators don't treat their tanks like museum pieces, preferring to roll them out for demonstrations at 2pm daily. The museum itself is housed in original World War II buildings and houses displays on the Suffolk and Norfolk Yeomanry,
16 tanks and over 120 vehicles guns and missiles.
3. A musical journey
The transport connection at the Thursford Collection is fairly tenuous here, though there is a Venetian Gondola fairground ride. However, we felt compelled to include this place for the traction engines and the Wurlitzer show, which twice daily (1:30pm and 3pm) takes you back to the heyday of the theatre organ and features mechanical organs, too. Thursford's model hails from the Paramount Cinema in Leeds, where it was installed in 1932. Note that the Collection is closed on Saturdays.
4. Up and away
Due to its proximity to the Continent, Norfolk was of strategic importance during World War II, so it's no surprise that it has a rich past when it comes to aviation. City of Norwich Aviation Museum has a great deal to say about the War from English and an American perspectives. An old Willys Jeep is part of the indoor displays but the real action is outside where you'll find the aircraft. The 1962 Avro Vulcan bomber dominates the space to the rear of the museum - it was bought in 1983 after serving in the Falklands. For a small extra charge you can get inside the cockpit, with staff supervising. Other warplanes include a Lockheed T33 Shooting Star and a Hawker Hunter, while
commercial craft include an early 1960s Handley Page Herald propeller plane.
5. Bikers' bonanza
Though it's the smallest museum on this tour, there are still over 100 motorbikes at North Walsham Motorcycle Museum. Charting the development of
the motorbike from the 1880s onwards, the Museum focuses on the proud tradition of British
bike-building, which reached its peak in the 1930s before the war forced many small makers to close. There's also a collection of die-cast toys, including a number of Dinkys, from the '40s onwards.
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Distance 78 miles
Time All day
Suitable for All the family
Refreshments
North Norfolk Railway
Tel 01263 820800
The Muckleburgh Collection
Tel 01263 588210
Attractions
North Norfolk Railway
Tel 01263 820800
The Muckleburgh Collection
Tel 01263 588210
The Thursford Collection
Tel 01328 878477
City of Norwich Aviation Museum
Tel 01603 893080
North Walsham
Motorcycle Museum
Tel 01692 406266
Tourist information
Norwich Tel 01603 727927
Sheringham Tel 01263 824329
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