Frequently Asked Questions…

GENERAL

Holt: Parking is available at Holt Station; we request donation of £3 which helps Friends of Holt with the upkeep of the station. Special arrangements may apply during special events – if so, details will be shown on the events page.

Sheringham: There is a large Pay & Display car park just opposite the station. Please see the North Norfolk District Council website for more details.

There are also various Pay & Display car parks within Holt town, which is approximately a 30-minute walk away. Please see the North Norfolk District Council website for more details.

By Bus: Both Sheringham and Holt Stations are regularly serviced by Sanders Coaches, with bus stops outside the station entrances. Timetables and routes can be found at the Sanders Coaches website.

Please note that Holt station is approximately one mile from the town centre.

By Rail: Sheringham Station can also be access by mainline rail services, approximately a 2-minute walk from our station. Please see the National Rail website for travel enquiries.

The Poppy Line is 5.5 miles long, travelling from Sheringham town centre to the outskirts of Holt.

The approximate journey time between Sheringham – Holt/Holt – Sheringham is 25 minutes. A journey to Weybourne from either Sheringham or Holt is approximately 10-15 minutes.

Please note that the above does not include stopping or time for you to visit and explore the stations – see the timetables for the day of your visit to help plan your day.

Specific timetables can be seen via our Opening Dates & Times page.

Dogs are allowed to travel on our daily services for a small fee.

Dogs are very welcome to travel with us, however we ask that they are kept on a short-leash at stations and that they do not sit on the carriage seats or tables. Please note that you may be asked to leave if they do so.

Canine friends, aside from Assistance Dogs, are also restricted from travelling in First Class areas, and pet strollers must also be stored in the Guard’s van.

We would ask passengers to please be aware that our steam and diesel locomotives can be loud and will sometimes make sudden noises that dogs may find distressing, for example the whoosh of steam or the whistle/horn signalling the locomotive is preparing to move.

Dogs are welcome in the seating area of the buffet at Sheringham but are not allowed in the servery area. They are not permitted in the buffets at Weybourne or Holt as these facilities are very small.

Please note that dogs (except Assistance Dogs) are not allowed on Dining Trains, Santa Specials, the Norfolk Lights Express or certain other special trains. Details regarding access during Special Events will be provided on the individual events pages.

We are very happy to carry bicycles at a small additional charge.

However, accommodation is limited on some trains and for a party of eight or more we would ask that you contact us in advance so that suitable arrangements can be made.

Visitors are welcome to bring food or drink, either bought at one of the Railway’s station buffets or from home, onto our trains.

Our carriage teams work hard to ensure coaches are ready for you to enjoy during your visit. We therefore ask that you dispose of rubbish at one of our stations, or take it with you.

Only alcohol bought from our Station Buffets can be consumed on the premises. Please drink responsibly.

In common with railway stations nationally, our premises are smoke & vape free areas – please do not smoke or use e-cigarettes at stations or on board the trains.

Please see our full Terms and Conditions for more information regarding cancellations, re-booking and refunds.

ACCESS INFORMATION

Blue badge parking is available at Holt Station, and also in the North Norfolk District Council car park adjacent to Sheringham Station.

Our Bookings Team can reserve accessible compartments for wheelchair users and passengers with limited mobility*.

Most trains have a specially converted area, some have ramped access to the Guard’s section, whilst the historic and unique nature of some of our oldest trains means they are not suitable for such adaptations.

The accessible areas can accommodate a limited number of passengers, and we cannot guarantee availability on a given service if not pre-booked, so booking in advance is strongly recommended.

Please call our Bookings Team on 01263 820800 to enquire.

We regret that our Dining Trains do not currently have an accessible compartment.

* If passengers require the assistance of a motorised mobility aid or wheelchair, but are able to walk short distances or board the train without assistance, they are able to travel in our historic carriages and do not need to book the accessible compartment. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters can then be stored in the Guard’s Van, ready for passengers to collect after they disembark the train.

Each station has accessible toilet facilities and step free access. Should you need a key to access toilets please ask a member of our Platform Team.

We would ask passengers to please be aware that our steam and diesel locomotives can be loud and will sometimes make sudden noises, for example the whoosh of steam or the whistle/horn signalling the locomotives is preparing to move.

If visitors are particularly sensitive to noise, we would advise that they bring ear defenders with them to avoid potential unnecessary distress.

If passengers require the assistance of a motorised mobility aid or wheelchair, but are able to walk short distances or board the train without assistance, they are able to travel in our historic carriages and do not need to book the accessible compartment. Wheelchairs and mobility scooters can then be stored in the Guard’s Van, ready for passengers to collect after they disembark the train.

A wheelchair is available at each station to assist visitors with limited mobility to reach the train – please ask a member of staff. There is no charge for this service.

ACCESSIBILITY & CARER’S TICKETS
We are firmly committed to ensuring fair access for all and treat all families in an equal and consistent way. We strongly recommend that visitors with special needs contact the Bookings Team in advance on 01263 820800 so they may advise on the best arrangements (including reserving accessible compartments if necessary and issuing carer’s ticket where appropriate) to allow you to enjoy your day with us.

To ensure the safety of passengers, all those under 16 must be accompanied by a responsible adult to supervise and care for them. Standard fares apply and, in most cases, our family tickets provide the best value. Therefore, we do not generally offer carers tickets to adults that are accompanying children under 16. However should a child’s additional needs mean that extra assistance is necessary, we will consider issuing a carer’s ticket to the second accompanying carer. For adult visitors with a disability who require assistance, we offer a complimentary carer’s ticket to Registered Carers accompanying the adult companion for whom they provide care.

WE ADVISE PASSENGERS THAT CARER’S TICKETS SHOULD BE BOOKED IN ADVANCE.
Passengers who have been issued with a carer’s ticket are asked to bring one of the following forms of documentation along with their tickets as these may be requested on the day of travel.

• Credibility Access Card
• Local Authority issued Carer’s Card.
• Entitlement to Disability Living Allowance (DLA) Personal Independence Payment (PIP) for those aged 16-64 – either a letter stating entitlement, or the Allowance book.
• Attendance Allowance or Carer’s Allowance letter of Award.
• Entitlement to Incapacity Benefit – either a letter notifying that Incapacity Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) or Disability Students Allowance (DSA) has been awarded, or a DID card (UK disabled ID card)
• In the case of visual impairment, a registration card known as the BD8 or Certificate of Visual Impairment (CVI)

The Bookings Team can also reserve accessible compartments for wheelchair users and passengers with limited mobility. Most trains have a specially converted area, some have ramped access to the Guard’s section, whilst the historic and unique nature of some of our oldest trains means they are not suitable for such adaptations.

The accessible areas can accommodate a limited number of passengers, so booking in advance is strongly recommended. Should you have any queries then please discuss with the Bookings Team when you purchase your tickets.

VISITING WITH CHILDREN

Our Child ticket is valid for children between the ages of 3 and 15. Those aged 2 and under can travel for free and do not require their own ticket to travel on the Railway.

Children under 16 must be accompanied by a fare-paying adult when visiting the railway or travelling on our trains.

There’s lots for younger visitors to explore at the Railway!

For many riding on a train is a new or unusual experience and riding on a real steam train is a real adventure.

There are free activity sheets for our visitors to enjoy year-round and increased activities during school holidays and at some special events – please see individual timetable pages via Opening Dates page for details.

Model Railways at Weybourne and Holt, as well as our Play Coach at Holt Station.

Our engine crews, signalmen and platform teams are very friendly and happy to speak with younger visitors, as well as have their photograph taken. You may even get the chance to visit the footplate, or be invited into a signal box*!

*Please note that this is at the discretion of each volunteer and they are under no obligation to have their photograph taken or invite members of the public into their working environment.

Prams/pushchairs can be transported on our trains but as our seats are set our around tables, they need to be stored in the Guard’s van*.

Please ask a member of Platform staff or the Guard if you require assistance.

Please note that pet strollers must also be stored in the Guard’s van.

*Please note that during some special events, such as our Norfolk Lights Express where passengers travel out and back on the same train, you may be asked to park prams/pushchairs at Sheringham Station.

There are a number of high chairs in the buffet at Sheringham. It is not possible to reserve these in advance and occasionally at busy times, there may be a short wait until one becomes available.

OPERATIONAL INFORMATION

Unfortunately, operational or other considerations may mean that it is necessary to alter, amend or cancel train services and other activities. As a result, it is not possible to state which engine will be running on a certain day.

Our heavy engineering work is undertaken at Weybourne and as a result the sheds are not accessible except for during some Special Events. Information of when tours are available will be detailed on specific special event pages.

Please note that access to the sheds without prior permission is not allowed under any circumstances.

You can get involved with any aspect of the North Norfolk Railway as a volunteer. More information can be seen on our Volunteering page.

Alternatively, you can help support the charity that works to preserve, display and operate much of what we do. The M&GN Join Railway Society owns several locomotives and much more, and it runs the William Marriott Museum at Holt.

Or you can become a shareholder of the North Norfolk Railway plc and qualify for some unique benefits and discounts.