My Grandson C, loves steam trains. In 2023 C, his sister A, and myself spent a day exploring the Poppy Line railway between Holt and Sheringham. It’s about 90 minutes drive time from home which meant that a good proportion of our day was spent driving to and fro. And then I made the mistake of buying A a mug of hot chocolate and a piece of cake while we were waiting for our first train. Sugar rush ensued and as a result, we spent too much time chasing A, and not enough time enjoying the trains. So, when Honey Bumble entered our lives, it seemed only fair to combine a camping trip for C and I with a whole day enjoying railway stuff.
Honey arrived on 1st August 2024. And naturally, I couldn’t wait to start Bumbling. Her inaugural trip was to Blickling for the Ibiza Classics concert. Her second trip was to Weybourne in Norfolk, at a camp site within easy walking distance of the Poppy Line station.
Where We Stayed
We chose Breck Farm Camp Site, not just for its proximity to the station, but also for it’s facilities. Lots of space, great showers and loos and a small but well-stocked shop where C could treat himself to drinks and snacks whenever he felt the need.
Arriving mid-afternoon, the check in process was simple (we’d already booked and paid online) and we were encouraged to choose our own spot. It didn’t take long to get settled. C pitched his pup tent (with minimal help from me) and I went in search of a tap to fill our water carrier. Once we were settled, we set off on foot in search of something for tea.
My research told me that there is a nice pub in Weybourne Village where they serve food, but unfortunately, neither C nor I have a decent sense of direction. So we wandered off in the opposite direction to said pub. A chance encounter with a cyclist, revealed our mistake but also directed us to a different pub where they offered takeaway fish n chips. Problem solved. We were only 20 minutes or so from the camp site, so we carried our chips back to the van for a very satisfying al-fresco supper.
It soon became clear that we’d pitched opposite a VERY lively family. They were out and about when we first arrived, but came back from their travels that evening and proceeded to cook and enjoy their own supper. I love to see and hear children at play and these 3 boys played and argued non-stop until bedtime. C enjoys people-watching as much as I do and we managed to keep up a running commentary on their antics whilst enjoying a few games of cards.
Beautiful weather and clear skies meant we could watch the moon rising over the camp site and count the stars as they came out. I MUST get one of those apps to help me identify stars.
A Whole Day Doing As We Pleased
The next day signalled the beginning of our railway adventure. As expected C slept in until around 11am which gave me a chance to take down the window blinds, put my bed away and enjoy a breakfast of cereal and coffee. I do love early mornings on a camp site, with the sound of other people waking up and those lovely bacon-ny smells hanging in the breeze.
The weather promised to be kind to us and as soon as C was up and about, we headed off to Weybourne station. This time, we walked the right way. The road was quiet and took us through some beautifully shady woodland, down a steep hill (I dreaded walking back up it!) and down to a stone bridge across the railway line.
As we approached we could hear the train whistling and see puffs of steam appearing above the tree line. When we arrived at the station, we were a little early for the train so we bought our tickets and crossed the track via the footbridge to explore the public path that follows the railway for a bit. Wonderful scenery! We could see the sea and vowed (at least I did) to come back and follow my dream of walking the length of the railway with the dogs and then travelling back to the start by steam train.
Taking the train into Sheringham, we took the time to wander into the town and explore. The town museum has some incredible displays recounting the social history of Sheringham. Mostly, unsurprisingly, connected to the sea. Having seen how people used the sea throughout history, we found ourself in the viewing platform at the top of the museum looking at a whole host of off-shore wind turbines. We use the sea very differently these days!
The lifeboat museum in Sheringham is full of charm and joins onto a shell museum. I know, I know, it sounds dull but oh my goodness, its full of exquisite art works created using shells from the beach. If you’re ever in North Norfolk, it’s well worth a visit.
Chips for lunch on the sea front then it was back on the train, this time all the way to the end of the line at Holt Station.
A Relaxing Evening at Breck Farm Camp Site
Returning from Holt to Weybourne, we stopped a while at the station to rummage in the second hand book store and marvel at the model train layout before walking down into Weybourne village itself. The church here is lovely – it has the remains of a former church within the graveyard. We stopped off at the tea rooms to get some scrumptious things for dessert and, randomly, some bin bags – because I’d forgotten to pack any.
Arriving back at the camp site, we treated ourselves to a bag of wood for our portable BBQ/Firepit and set about relaxing with a pot of tea until it was time to cook. A simple meal of hot dogs and cakes was all we needed after our substantial lunch and as evening drew on, C kept the fire going while we played cards and chatted.
Neither of us had any power left in our phones. Lesson learned – invest in portable power banks before taking the next trip.
Art In Norfolk
Morning came all too soon and I hated waking C up but we did need to vacate our pitch by 11am, and we did have plans for the way home.
Desperate to make the most of our time away, and simply loving driving Honey Bumble, we headed for Houghton Hall where, according to some or other newspaper, the artist Anthony Gormley was holding and exhibition.
Brilliant! C loves architecture and art and so we spent a very pleasant few hours looking around the house and gardens. Houghton was built for Britain’s first Prime Minister, Robert Walpole and is suitably impressive. The present owners are passionate about art and the garden is jam packed full of fascinating installations. We loved the sky tower and the fire + water fountain.
Sadly, the catering choices for gluten-free folks like me were limited. So it was a packet of crisps for my lunch, before heading for home.
All in all a great trip. It’s wonderful to spend 1-2-1 time with my Grandchildren away from TV’s and screens. C is such good company, I hope he’ll travel with me again some time.
A reminder about the camp site we stayed on for this trip. Breck Farm Camp Site near Weybourne, Norfolk. Here’s the link.
Rambling Nan 
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