On my travels last week, I visited Bressingham Steam Museum and Gardens near Diss, Norfolk.
When a
sunny Bank Holiday dawned, it seemed the perfect opportunity to have a family
outing, and as we had previously driven past Bressingham, but not actually
ventured inside, decided it was time that we checked it out.
The drive
into the attraction was a bit like going on a mystery tour – a winding track
meandered along until it reached the car park – or parking field as it
technically was, but more on that later.
Bressingham
boasts some beautifully stunning gardens (17 acres), especially the quaintly
named, award-winning, ‘foggy bottom’. The lovingly-tended, ‘private’ garden of
the Bloom family is open to view at certain times and is a wonderful place to
sit and soak up the natural surroundings.
Of course,
what my son was really eager to see was the steam museum and all that it has to
offer. On ‘steam days’ (Wed – Sun and Bank Holidays) you can purchase an
inclusive ticket (£12.95 adults, £8.95 children, Tesco Days Out Vouchers
accepted), which entitles you to unlimited rides on the narrow gauge steam
trains and three rides on the steam carousel.
We really
enjoyed riding the trains, one line takes you around the gardens, another tours
the old nursery area and a third travels over the water meadows. The steam
carousel, known as the ‘gallopers’, built over a hundred years ago, proclaims
it was ‘built to last’, and it sure has! As tunes from Mary Poppins played, I
could imagine the horses riding off across the fields as they did in the film.
We also
loved the collection of steam engines and the fun Dad’s Army Walmington-On-Sea
display, including original props. My son delighted at the old penny machines,
whilst for an extra charge, we could have ridden the waltzers and dodgems.
The one
little blip of the day occurred on our arrival at the parking field.
Unfortunately our car became stuck in a previously unnoticed muddy patch.
However, the Bressingham staff came to the rescue, towing us out of the mud,
offering apologies and then promptly roping off the ‘dodgy’ area, so all ended
well.
We loved
our trip to Bressingham – there was plenty to see and do, the staff and
volunteers were friendly and helpful and the day represented good value for
money (even the ice creams were reasonably priced). I thoroughly recommend
Bressingham for a fun family day out. For more information visit www.bressingham.co.uk
Follow
me on Twitter @shoppersjoy
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