Plan your trip on the Wherry Line Norwich-Great Yarmouth
Relaxing rail journey from Norwich city to the seaside via the Broads National Park
Running from Norwich to Great Yarmouth, this Wherry Line takes you from historic Norwich, through the Broads National Park, and ends on the east coast at Great Yarmouth.
Norwich Market with City Hosts
Norwich
Norwich is the county capital of Norfolk, the best-preserved medieval city in the country, with cobbled streets, historic churches, Norman castle and cathedral, and the biggest permanent covered market in northern Europe.
Norwich is a great city for the arts – take in a show at Norwich Theatre Royal, Maddermarket or The Playhouse.
As well as the Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, discover the city’s history at Stranger’s Hall, Museum of Norwich at The Bridewell and American Library.
There’s great independent shopping in The Lanes, as well as High Street names in Chantry Place.
Take a tour of the city with Paul Dickson.
Looking for something a little left field? Try Go Quest Adventures or City Greens Golf.
Outside the city centre, nature lovers will enjoy NWT Sweet Briars and culture lovers will enjoy the Sainsbury Centre at the University of East Anglia. And Eaton Park is a popular outdoor space in the city, with its own Crazy Golf and Putting Course.
Where to stay: The Georgian Townhouse, The Assembly House, Maids Head Hotel.
St Gregorys Church, Pottergate, Norwich
Brundall Gardens and Brundall
Two separate stations a short distance apart but both good stopping off points for boatyards on the River Yare. In fact, Brundall Gardens was built specifically to cater for the growing popularity of boating holidays in the Broads National Park.
Where to stay: Norfolk Holiday Lodges are by the River Yare.
Two routes to Great Yarmouth
The Wherry Line splits at this point, with two different routes to Great Yarmouth. One via Lingwood and Acle, the other via Buckenham, Cantley, Reedham and Berney Arms before arriving at Great Yarmouth.
Cruisers at Acle Bridge in the Broads National Park
Acle
Acle is a picturesque market town on the River Bure in the Broads National Park, located halfway between Great Yarmouth and Norwich, and has the only bridge across the River Bure between Great Yarmouth and Wroxham.
Acle was a port at the head of a large estuary named Gariensis in Roman times. The opening of the estuary was between Caister-on-Sea and Burgh Castle, where today you can see the remains of Roman brick and flint fort.
The name Acle comes from ‘oaks lea’, meaning a clearing in an oak forest. Elizabeth I, who had close ties to Norwich, had hundreds of oaks felled at Acle for timber to construct her warships.
Nearby Upton has Eastwood Whelpton Sailing which offers boat hire and sailing holidays in the Broads National Park.
Where to stay: Old Lion Cottages is a lovely rural retreat.
Buckenham
The village of Buckenham is a good stopping off point for RSPB Buckenham Marshes, a mosaic of marshland, reedbed and valley habitats that make the reserve a haven for wildlife of all kinds.
Cantley
Built in 1912, Cantley Sugar Beet factory was the first sugar beet factory in the UK. Today it is operated by British Sugar. Cloe to the village by the River Yare is RSPB Cantley Marshes.
Scenes for the movie Yesterday were filmed at the village’s Reedcutter pub with the hero Jack playing a gig.
Chain ferry at Reedham in the Broads National Park
Reedham
Picturesque Reedham, which means ‘reedy village or homestead’ or ‘reedy hemmed-in land’, is on the River Yare with riverside pubs and a small marina. Reedham chain ferry is the only way to cross the River Yare by car between Great Yarmouth and Norwich.
The Reedham Swing Bridge is used by the Wherry Line that goes to Lowestoft.
In Roman times, Reedham was a coastal village with a Roman lighthouse. King Edmund of East Anglia, the original Patron Saint of England, is said to have lived here and the Fastolf family, whose most celebrated member was Sir John Fastolf, are recorded here from the 13th century. Sir John built the castle nearby Caister and was the basis of the character Falstaff who appeared in three Shakespeare plays.
Nearby is Pettitts Animal Adventure Park.
Berney Arms
One of the most remote railway stations in the country, Berney Arms on the River Yare is several miles from the nearest road and surrounded by open countryside with views to Roman Burgh Castle. The historic marsh windmill is maintained by English Heritage.
This is a great place to leave the train and take a lovely walk along the banks of the River Yare to Great Yarmouth.
Great Yarmouth Hippodrome, the last complete circus building
Great Yarmouth
Great Yarmouth is the best seaside resort on the east coast but also has a rich history to explore. Visitors love the Golden Mile of amusements, rides, attractions and shows, including the iconic Hippodrome, the last complete circus building in the UK. At the northern end is the Great Yarmouth Racecourse.
Discover more of the town’s history at the Time and Tide Museum, Great Yarmouth Tolhouse Gaol and Elizabethan House.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the Wherry Lines
The Wherry Lines are branch railway lines from Norwich to Great Yarmouth and also to Lowestoft.
- What stops are on Norwich-Great Yarmouth Wherry Line
There are two routes on the Wherry Line from Norwich to Great Yarmouth, one via Reedham and the other via Acle.
The route via Reedham begins at Norwich with stops at Brundall Gardens, Brundall, Buckenham, Cantley, Reedham, Berney Arms and ends at Great Yarmouth.
The route via Acle begins in Norwich with stops at Brundall Gardens and Brundall, Lingwood and Acle.
- Why should you take the Wherry Lines
A great reason to take the Wherry Lines is to get close to the waterways of the Broads National Park by sustainable rail travel.
- What are the highlights of the Wherry Lines
Reedham has a chain link ferry taking cars across the River Yare and riverside pubs. Hop off the train at Berney Arms and enjoy a leisurely riverside walk to Great Yarmouth.
- What things are there to do in Great Yarmouth
There’s lots of things to do in Great Yarmouth, including the Golden Mile of seaside amusements, rides and attractions, including The Hippodrome. Discover Great Yarmouth’s history at the Elizabethan House, Tolhouse Gaol and Time and Tide Museum. Great Yarmouth has historic links with England’s most famous sailor, Horatio Nelson.
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