It's greener by rail - how to visit the Broads by train

The Bittern, Wherry and East Suffolk Lines are a great way to explore the Broads, with lots of opportunities to combine train travel with walking, especially on the wonderful expanses of Halvergate grazing marshes. You can really see how the landscape changes as you travel and if time is short, you can see a lot of the Broads even on a day trip.

The sites have lots of walks and places to visit from stations (some may require a walk to reach them), with links to Greater Anglia for timetables and tickets. Please check timetables very carefully, as service times vary throughout the day and may change. Fares may also change.

The Bittern Line goes north from Norwich to Sheringham on the North Norfolk coast, passing through the northern Broads, while the Wherry Lines go east and south, one branch to Great Yarmouth and the other to Lowestoft, from where the East Suffolk Line continues to Beccles and then further into Suffolk.

Stations for all reasons

Here are some stations and activities to try…

If you want to go boating by rail, you’re in luck, Hoveton & Wroxham Station is in one of the best places in the Broads to set off by boat, whether you want a canoe, a day boat, a passenger boat trip or a solar-powered small boat trip. There’s so much on offer, the best thing to do is to start by looking at our boating page.

Other stations for boating: Beccles, Brundall

How about visiting a nature reserve only accessible by boat? If you don’t mind a walk from the station at Salhouse (about 2.5 miles), you can hire a canoe at Salhouse Broad. As well as exploring the broad and the River Bure, you can paddle over to Hoveton Great Broad (part of the Bure Marshes National Nature Reserve) and moor up (free of charge) for a walk round its nature trail. Here’s some more info about canoeing.

Other stations for canoeing: Beccles, Hoveton & Wroxham

Use the stations at Reedham and Berney Arms to discover the Wherryman’s Way, a long-distance walking route. From Reedham you could walk a section of the route there and back to see Polkey’s Mill, or do a circular walk around Reedham. From Berney Arms you can explore the Halvergate Mills Trail.

Other stations for walking: Acle, Beccles, Haddiscoe

If you’re looking forwildlife, the RSPB nature reserve at Buckenham Marshes is right by the station at Buckenham, and their Strumpshaw Fen nature reserve is close to two stations – Buckenham is about a mile away and Brundall is about 1.4 miles away. With a mosaic of wetland habitats, the reserves are great places for birds, such as bitterns, cuckoos and bean geese, as well as other wildlife, including orchids on Strumpshaw’s meadows.

Other stations for wildlife: Berney Arms (for the RSPB’s Berney Marshes and Breydon Water), Oulton Broad North and South (for Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Carlton and Oulton Marshes)

Somerleyton is the station for bike hire and gardens, with Somerleyton Hall Gardens about 1.4 miles away.

For swimming,Beccles has a lido, open all year for outdoor swimming (heated in summer).

From the Broads you can enjoy the coast as well as the countryside, with stations at Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft, which both offer sandy beaches and a traditional, fun seaside experience.

If you like historic buildings, museums and galleries, Norwich should be just the place for you. There are two cathedrals, Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery), the Museum of Norwich and many historic streets to explore. And if you love shopping, the outdoor market (open six days a week) and the lanes and alleys leading off it will give you plenty to enjoy. The station is opposite the River Wensum and close to the Riverside Walk, from where you can walk up to the city centre through the cathedral grounds. For eating out there must be something for nearly everyone too, from street food in the market to fine dining in a fine city.

Other stations for these activities: Beccles, Great Yarmouth

Here are some public transport details.