Bressingham Steam Museum and Gardens

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