Wells and Walsingham Light Railway
A 10¼ inch gauge railway of about four miles between Wells-next-the-Sea and Walsingham in Norfolk, with steam and diesel trains.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Wells and Walsingham Light Railway runs along part of the former Wymondham to Wells branch line, which opened in 1845 and lost its passenger service in 1964 under the Beeching cuts. Lieutenant Commander Roy Francis began restoring the route as a miniature railway in 1979, and it opened to the public on 6 April 1982. It runs on a 10¼ inch (260 mm) gauge track and is the longest line of that gauge in the world.
The railway describes itself as the world's smallest public railway. Trains run for about four miles between Wells station on the Stiffkey Road and Walsingham, on the edge of the village, in a journey of about half an hour. On the way passengers cross bridges, pass a hill fort and go through a former station platform. Walsingham is known for its pilgrimage centres.
The principal steam engine is Norfolk Hero, a Garratt locomotive built by Neil Simkins that entered service for the 1987 season. Because of the rising cost of coal and maintenance, steam engines do not run every day, and trains may be pulled by diesel locomotives. The railway is run by a not-for-profit company with the help of volunteers and a supporters' group, the Friends of the WWLR.
Highlights
- About four miles of 10¼ inch gauge track
- Norfolk Hero Garratt steam locomotive
- Half-hour journey through north Norfolk countryside
- Signal Box Café at Wells station
- Miniature carriage play and picnic area
- Founded
- 1982
- Operated by
- Wells & Walsingham Light Railway (not-for-profit company)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £11 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £9free up to age 4 · Children up to 4 years travel free on a round trip. Prices shown are single fares. |
| Seniors | –OAP discount of £1 off on Fridays only. |
| Families | £44Two adults and two children. |
| Adult return | £14 |
| Child return | £10 |
| Annual Friends of the WWLR membership | £50Includes unlimited free travel for the year. |
| Life Pass | £200Free travel on the railway for life. |
Fares for 2026. No advance booking: passengers pay the guard before boarding, on a first-come, first-served basis. HM Forces and Blue Light card holders receive £1 off. Dogs travel free on a round trip but may be refused at busy times.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £44 · Two adults and two children. |
- Playground / play area
Miniature carriage play area and picnic area at the station. Children up to 4 years travel free.
Getting there & parking
By car
Paid parking
Wells station car park: all-day parking £2.50 with a train ride (half is credited against the fare) or £5 for park and walk into Wells. At Walsingham there is a pay-and-display car park at the Mill between Coker's Hill and Bridewell Street (NR22 6BN).
Wells station is signposted off the Stiffkey Road just east of Wells-next-the-Sea; sat nav postcode NR23 1QB, what3words wishes.exotic.snail. Walsingham station is on Egmere Road, NR22 6BT, on the edge of the village.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
Signal Box Café at the station. The gift shop is online.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | A one-way trip takes about half an hour. Steam engines do not run every day, so trains may be pulled by diesel locomotives. |
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