Bressingham Steam and Gardens: The Museum

A trip to Bressingham Steam and Gardens in Norfolk was, unsurprisingly, my Dad’s idea but it actually turned out to be quite interesting. The grounds were so extensive that this first post will concentrate on the steam museum, and the second will focus on the gardens.

Adrian Bloom (who created the gardens) was an avid steam fan and after buying Bressingham Hall (hidden behind scaffolding for renovations when we visited), and starting on the gardens he began collecting steam engines, starting in 1961.

Throughout the years more engines and other items were added, with a charitable trust being formed to preserve the engines and more buildings incorporated into the museum layout. We particularly liked the coaches which had been used by Prince Charles and Princess Anne and the one used by Queen Alexandria.

There was also the official Dad’s Army Collection with original items used on the TV show which is set in a re-created Walmington-on-Sea High Street.

In the Dad’s Army section of the museum we were also very interested in the Postal Sorting Train which explained the tough jobs the sorters would have had to get mail sorted between stations; padding had to be introduced to stop the workers hurting themselves as they were constantly moving about whilst sorting the mail.

An interesting place to visit from a historical perspective and no doubt a must-see for train enthusiasts.

You can find more of my photos here.