Bure Valley Railway (Aylsham station)
ENTRY
from £7.50
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Aylsham, Norfolk
What it’s like
A 45-minute steam ride out from Aylsham through Norfolk meadows and villages, with a full return trip taking three hours.
You climb aboard at Aylsham and the little steam engine takes you out along the River Bure, past meadows and through Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall, before turning round at Wroxham. Each leg is 45 minutes, so a return trip is a proper afternoon out rather than a quick spin. There's no age limit listed, but the pace and the window-gazing suit younger children well, and a Rover ticket lets you hop off and back on if you fancy stretching your legs at one of the halts.
The three request stops along the way have no toilets or facilities at all, so they're really for walkers rather than a stop with a pram in tow. Speaking of prams, space on board is tight, so a collapsible buggy is the sensible choice and it's worth ringing ahead to check there's room. Wheelchair users are well looked after by comparison: the stations are flat, the coaches have double doors, and guards will bring a ramp, though booking ahead for that coach is a good idea.
Money-wise, a single child ticket is £7.50 and an adult single £15, but the family Rover deals are where the sense is, £60 for two adults and two children covering the whole day's unlimited travel. Dogs travel too for £3 and need a ticket bought alongside your own. Food-wise you can bring your own picnic for the allocated outdoor spots or the train itself, or eat in the Whistlestop Café at Aylsham, though anyone eating café food has to sit inside to do it.
If you're coming for a whole day, factor in that Wroxham's car park shuts just 15 minutes after the last train leaves, so don't dawdle at the far end. Aylsham has the bigger car park of the two and it's free, which softens the ticket price a little.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Younger children who like trains and window-gazing; under 4s ride free
- Booking
- Online booking available. Advance booking advised to avoid missing out on popular times
- Parking
- Free parking at Aylsham and Wroxham stations
- How long to allow
- 45 minutes each way for the full 18-mile round trip
- Food
- Whistlestop Café at Aylsham Station with freshly prepared lunches, homemade cakes, hot and cold drinks
- Picnics
- Bring your own food allowed in allocated picnic areas
- Pushchairs
- Space limited. Collapsible buggies recommended
- Wheelchairs
- Stations are flat and level with double-doored coaches
- Dogs
- Welcome on leads. Require ticket at same price as child
- Parties
- Group bookings available including coach parties, walking groups, clubs and societies
- Worth knowing
- Under 4s travel free (max 2 per paying adult)
- Wroxham's car park shuts 15 minutes after the last train leaves, so don't linger
- Under 4s travel free, up to two per paying adult
- Special trips like the Cream Tea Express and Festive Express run alongside the regular timetable
- Afternoon teas at the café need booking in advance
Plan your visit
How long does the journey take?
45 minutes each way, so a return trip is about an hour and a half on the train plus however long you spend at Wroxham.
How much does it cost?
A child single is £7.50 and an adult single £15. Return or Rover tickets covering unlimited travel that day are £25 for an adult, and family deals start at £40 for one adult and two children.
Do we need to book ahead?
You can turn up and buy on the day, but booking online in advance is advised for popular times.
Is there room for a pushchair?
Space is limited, so a collapsible buggy is best. Ring ahead on the station number to check there's room.
Are dogs allowed?
Yes, dogs travel on leads throughout the railway. You'll need to buy a dog ticket, priced at £3, at the same time as your own.
Are the trains wheelchair accessible?
Stations are flat and level, and each train has a double-doored saloon coach with guards on hand to help with a ramp. Booking ahead for that coach is recommended.
Can we bring our own food?
You can eat your own picnic on the train or in the outdoor picnic areas. If you buy food from the café instead, you need to eat it seated inside the café.
What food is available there?
The Whistlestop Café at Aylsham does freshly prepared lunches, homemade cakes and hot drinks, with afternoon teas available if you book them in advance.
Is there parking?
Free parking at both ends, with room for 90 cars and 3 coaches at Aylsham and 70 cars and 2 coaches at Wroxham. Wroxham's car park closes just 15 minutes after the last train leaves, so keep an eye on the time there.
Do young children travel free?
Under 4s travel free, up to two per paying adult.
What are the request stops like?
Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall are halts for walkers with no toilets or other facilities, so they're not really set up for a family stop.
Can we book for a group or party?
Group bookings are available for coach parties, clubs and societies, but pre-booking is essential for larger groups.
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