Published on: Wednesday, 25 September 2013
Last updated: Wednesday, 5 October 2016
A new guide to enjoying Norfolk and Suffolk by rail is to be launched at Norwich rail station tomorrow by members of the Norfolk Community Rail Partnerships.
The new Area Guide to the Bittern Line and Wherry Lines railways – which run from Norwich to Cromer & Sheringham and Norwich to Great Yarmouth & Lowestoft respectively – is designed to offer leisure travellers and day trippers information about where to go and what to see at stops along the lines and includes details of special events, free guided walks and discounts.
It also contains timetables for the Bittern and Wherry Lines rail services, valid until May 2014.
The guide is now available at staffed stations along the Bittern Line and Wherry Lines routes, as well as at Tourist Information Centres, Libraries and to download from www.bitternline.com and www.wherrylines.org.uk .
The Guide will be officially launched at Norwich rail station on Thursday 26th September at 9.45am by Ted Gadsden, Chair of the Bittern Line Community Rail Partnership, Ian Dinmore, Chair of the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership and Chris Wood of Community Rail Norfolk who produced the guide.
They will be accompanied by Ian Clarke, Marketing Manager for the Marina Theatre, Lowestoft, which is one of the many destinations featured in the guide, many of which offer discounts for those arriving by rail.
The guide also includes helpful information for key towns and villages along the routes, ideas about things to see and do at each stop and whether any discounts are available, an events guide, details of bus links, and information about special guided walks which are free to all rail ticket holders and have been scheduled to fit in with train times from Norwich.
There are also details of cycle hire companies which operate along the route and details of free cycle carriage which enables passengers to take their bikes on the train.
The guide can also be accessed using the new Bittern and Wherry Lines app for iPhones and Android. The app is the first such product from a community rail partnership and was funded by the Department for Transport, Network Rail, AcoRP, Broadland District Council, North Norfolk District Council and Norfolk County Council.
Chris Wood from Community Rail Norfolk said, “The Bittern and Wherry Lines guide have so much to offer for those looking for a great day out. From beautiful walks along the National Trust’s Cromer Ridge or discovering RSPB reserves, exploring our fascinating market towns and picturesque villages, to a fun family day out at the seaside, there is something for everyone. Getting there by rail is a great option as many of the attractions will offer discounts to rail ticket holders but it also helps to cut down on congestion and pollution in these tourism hot spots too.”
The Bittern and Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnerships exist to promote the lines, work to make improvements in partnership with the train operator, Greater Anglia, and engender mutually beneficial links between the railway and the communities they serve.