www.norfolksbest.co.uk
One of Norfolk’s most popular tourist attractions, the narrow gauge Bure Valley Railway, has joined forces with Broadland Cycle Hire to offer visitors a chance to ride the Huff ‘n’ Puff Trail between the market town of Aylsham and Wroxham, known as the capital of the Norfolk Broads.
People can "huff" one way by bike along the nine-mile traffic-free trail, then "puff" back by train with their cycles safely stowed in the baggage van. Energetic riders can "huff" both ways, of course.
With a gently undulating track running alongside the 15-inch gauge railway line and cycle hire centres at each end, the service is believed to be unique in Britain.
At Aylsham the Huff ‘n’ Puff Trail links up with the 26-mile Marriott’s Way cycle route following a former rail line to Norwich. At 35 miles, the combined trails form one of the country’s longest traffic-free routes. Anglia Railways offers cycle carriage to Norwich and Wroxham for cyclists intending the ride the whole route.
Celebrating its tenth anniversary this year, the Bure Valley Railway is mainly operated by steam locomotives and has proved to be one of Norfolk’s major attractions, carrying well over 100,000 passengers in 1999 and likely to do even better in 2000.
Laid on the trackbed of a line that opened in 1880 and closed to passengers in 1952, the BVR was launched as a joint venture between Broadland District Council and the Bure Valley Railway Company. The project’s objectives were to awaken a slumbering railway track; to create a long distance footpath; to provide a tourist attraction in Broadland, and to create jobs and tourist expenditure for Aylsham and villages along the route.
The district council, which owns the footpath alongside the rail line, removed stiles and other obstacles to make the route cycle-friendly for the new Huff ‘n’ Puff Trail.
Run by a small board of directors and staff supported by a team of active volunteers, the BVR has stations at the villages of Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall as well as Aylsham and Wroxham. Following the River Bure, its line traverses some of Norfolk’s most attractive countryside on the 45-minute journey.
The line passes close to the runway of RAF Coltishall, built at the start of World War II. During the war Coltishall served first as the home of 242 Squadron RAF, commanded by famous pilot, Squadron Leader Douglas Bader, and later of a division of the United States Army Air Force. Two of the BVR’s nine locomotives – Spitfire and 2nd Air Division USAAF – pay tribute to their service.
The BVR runs regular services between April and October and has a programme of special events. These include the Broadland Boat Train, offering a combined steam train trip and Norfolk Broads cruise, Santa Specials in the approach to Christmas, and steam driving courses for those who fancy themselves on the footplate.
For disabled passengers there are wheelchair-accessible coaches with double doors and low windows giving maximum visibility.
Bure Valley Railway, Norwich Road, Aylsham, Norfolk NR11 6BW; tel: 01263 733858. Services operate April-October; Santa Specials November-December (booking advised from August). Fares from £4 (concessions available); boat train £11. Extensive free parking at Aylsham and Wroxham. Website at www.bvrw.co.uk
Cycle hire: tel: 01263 732935(Aylsham), 01603 783096 (Wroxham). Open daily July-September 10.00-17.00; usually available at other times but telephone first. Charges: £2 per hour (minimum £4)or £8 per day; children under 15 £1.50 per hour (minimum £3) or £7 per day.
