Bressingham Steam Experience and Gardens

Bressingham Steam Museum and Gardens located near Diss, Norfolk was built by Alan Bloom, the same man who started the firm Blooms of Bressingham.  He purchased Bressingham Hall and began designing his garden around the hardy perennial plants that seemed to always take second place to the trees and shrubs in other gardens around the country.  In an effort to allow the plants to grow as naturally as possible, Bloom planted what he called ‘Island Beds’, miniature meadows where the flowers grew naturally without being inhibited by hedge rows or walls.  Today, the garden with all of its island beds contains 5,000 species and varieties of flowers amidst mature trees, giving the entire garden the feel of a park.

The Steam Experience offers visitors a chance to take a train ride from Bressingham through the woodlands around the gardens or a chance to ride a steam carousel, one of the few left in the United Kingdom.  Visitors can see the steam exhibit in the locomotive shed that was part of Alan Bloom’s collection as well as being able to view the new Dad’s Army collection that includes props and vehicles from this popular television show.  The 6100 Royal Scot locomotive has also returned to its home of Bressingham after a successful tour of the United States.

The Bressingham Steam and Gardens open daily at 10:30am and close at 5:00pm in March, April, May, September and October.  In June, July, and August the site closes at 5:30pm.  All rides close at 4:30pm unless there is a special event happening.  The Dad’s Army Exhibit has closed for the year.