Located next to Blooms garden centre on the outskirts of Diss, Bressingham Steam Museum is a destination that all the family can enjoy.
Get up close to this fine collection of steam machines, ride on trains (including Thomas and Friends on special occasions!) and there’s lots more to see and do.
Kid’s view
3 year old:- I got to ride on Thomas and Daisy and James and Toby and got some cool Thomas Toys from the shop. I like going on the horseys (Gallopers) with Grandad, and Daddy took me on the bumping cars (Dodgems) and that was fun!
7 year old:- I’ve been on Thomas loads of times now, but I still like going every time because I enjoy going on the train rides and the dodgems.
Parent’s view
Spend a few hours looking at steam engines, go on a few train rides, ride the dodgems? Yes please! Shame we have to take the kids! Only kidding, but the point is that Bressingham Steam Museum is just as popular with adults too. As the kids run around asking questions about the trains I find that I’m just as fascinated as them -even if we have been there about 15 times now.
Going on “Thomas and friends” days are great because the kids get to see Thomas the Tank Engine, Sir Topham Hat (The Fat Controller), Daisy, Toby, Diesel and several others. There’s also a Hornby Thomas the Tank Engine set where they spend a few minutes hypnotised by the trains going round and round! Getting up close to the larger engines (both steam and traction)makes you realise the size of these machines.
I’m not one for wandering around gardens but we often visit with grandparents, and they like to wander around the gardens for a good hour or so (to have a break from my kids!)
Field notes:-
If it’s a hot day remember to bring sun hats and lotion because you’ll be out in the sun a lot, and if it’s a Thomas the tank engine day the queues for the trains can get quite long.
There’s an old-style sweetie shop near the Dad’s Army feature, so stock up on snacks to nibble on while in the queues.
On entry you get some tickets to use for the gallopers, bumper cars and other rides/amusements. You don’t need these for the train rides but you do need to show your tickets to get on the trains.
On Thomas days there is sometimes a “Punch and Judy” show entertainer. The kids will love watching this while you can sit at the back and relax!
Steam days versus non-steam days – what’s the difference? More trains will be running on steam days; only one diesel on a non-steam day.
Duration of visit: 4-5 hours on a special days like when Thomas the Tank Engine visits. Normal days would be around 3 hours.
