The Wells and Walsingham Light Railway, nestled in Norfolk, holds the title of the UK's smallest public railway and ranks among the tiniest worldwide. Boasting a 260mm gauge, the train travels along between Wells-next-the-Sea and Walsingham in eastern England. Offering a charming half-hour ride each way through the picturesque English countryside, passengers can soak up the sights of bridges, an ancient hill fort, and even a curious ghost platform. For over a decade and a half, the railway has been running two steam locomotives, including the renowned Norfolk Hero.
Originally, the Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway (RH&DR) in Kent was the world's smallest public railway from 1926 until 1978. It briefly lost this accolade to France's Réseau Guerlédan in 1978, only to regain it in 1979 when the French line ceased operations. However, in 1982, the RH&DR was again dethroned by the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway, a cherished tourist hotspot on the Norfolk coast since it opened that same year.
Those considering a visit will need to hold off until next month, as the railway is currently closed for the winter season but is set to reopen on Saturday, March 15. It promises to be a fantastic day out for the whole family and offers a unique experience, reports Cambridgeshire Live. Dogs and children aged four and under are welcome aboard for free, with no prior booking required. Simply arrive on the day and pay the guard. For more details on schedules and fares, visit the WWLR website.
A statement on the website reads: "Climb aboard, sit back and enjoy a half-hour trip through the beautiful countryside whilst you take in the evocative sights, sounds and smells of old-time train travel. Your unforgettable trip back in time clanks over and under bridges, chugs past a hill-fort and through a real ghost platform.". On TikTok, travel enthusiast Alina, known as @Alina_msr, shared her experiences of the railway and its charming neighbouring towns. She enthused: "Wells is a small seaside town on the north Norfolk coast. Lovely town centre with lots of local shops and food, a beautiful harbour and I love the beach with all the beautiful beach huts.
"Walsingham is a small village in the Norfolk countryside which has been popular for pilgrims for almost 1,000 years! This village really took me by surprise and it's definitely one of my favourite villages in England now!". She continued, "Lots of beautiful houses, a cute tearoom and the romantic ruins of Walsingham Abbey taking the Wells and Walsingham Light Railway was such a unique experience. I've never seen such a small railway, 10/10.".
In response to her video, viewers expressed their admiration, with one commenting: "Oh how lovely this looks." Another wrote: "I used to live there, the train track runs right past my old house, I used to hear it every day in the summer.". The journey begins at Wells Station, located just off the A149 coast road, south of the town centre. The station boasts ample parking, the Signal Box Café, a shop, and a waiting area for passengers.
