Sandringham Rail & Sail

Itinerary

Tour Highlights

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• Hotel for 4 nights with breakfast & dinner
• Visit & entrance to Sandringham House
• Bure Valley Railway Ride (Aylsham - Wroxham)
• Norfolk Broads cruise on Mississippi Paddle Boat
• Visit to Wells-next-the-Sea

Wonderful North Norfolk

Day 1  - Once on board head to Norfolk with a suitable break in the journey for refreshments. Continue onto King's Lynn to check into your hotel for your 4 night stay. DBB

Day 2 - 4 At leisure with three included excursions

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
King's Lynn & Sandringham House 
Enjoy a relaxed start to the day in the Hanseatic town of King's Lynn, one of England's most important ports from as early as the 12th century whose maritime past is still very much in evidence today. Fine old merchants' houses stretch down to the river between cobbled lanes and the elegant Custom House overlooks the harbour. The town's heritage is reflected in an amazing array of historic buildings as well as the Market Place, one of region's grandest squares. There is a great self-guided walk to help you discover the town's past - the Maritime Trail. 

Highlight this afternoon is an included visit to Sandringham House & Estate. With generations of history linked to the British Monarch since 1862, Sandringham Estate remains the private country retreat to Their Majesties The King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The House with Jacobean style exterior was built by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra and houses a collection of treasures ranging from the Victorian-era to present day. Surrounded by glorious Gardens landscaped by Geoffrey Jelicoe - developed in turn by each Monarch and an extensive Royal Parkland. The principal ground floor rooms used by the Royal Family are open to the public as well as 24 hectares of formal Gardens with a variety of trees, water gardens and wildflowers. St Mary Magdalene Church is also open to visit.

Rail & Sail on the Norfolk Broads
Experience a nostalgic trip on Norfolk's longest narrow gauge railway which runs between the historic market town of Aylsham and bustling town of Wroxham, at the heart of the Norfolk Broads. The 9 mile trip runs through the pretty Bure Valley countryside following the meandering River Bure through meadowland and ancient pasture. Along the line are wayside halts serving the picturesque Broadland villages of Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall. Hop back on the coach at Wroxham for the short journey to Horning to join the Southern Comfort, a double-deck paddle boat purpose built for the Broads. From the beautiful village of Horning, cruise along the River Bure through the village and out to Ranworth Broad and back, passing lovely old thatched houses, windmills and Norfolk reed beds. Throughout the trip there is an excellent commentary and continual pointing out of all the water birds around at the time. There is the ever present bustle of river traffic with cruisers, yachts and the occasional wherry. 

Wells-next-the-Sea
Charming Wells-next-the-Sea is one of the loveliest towns on the North Norfolk Coast. From the sweeping sandy beach bordered by pinewoods and colourful beach huts to the bustling harbour with its fine fish & chips restaurants, Wells-next-the-Sea is a perfect seaside destination. The harbour at Wells is overlooked by an imposing granary (dating from 1904), with its gantry stretching across the street to the quay. From the harbour, narrow lanes with chic shops, eateries and art galleries lead towards 'The Buttlands', a large town green surrounded by majestic lime trees and elegant Georgian houses,

Wells is famous for its vast beach and stilted beach huts, located approx. one mile from the town. You can walk there along a a raised path with fabulous views over the marshes or you can take the Beach Bus which provides a shuttle service between the town and beach (£2 pp one way in 2025 - card payment only)

Day 5 - After breakfast, head southwards with an en-route stop before returning to interchange and onwards to your home towns. Back to top

Accommodation

3* Town Centre Hotel

The Duke's Head Hotel, King's Lynn
This historic 4* hotel faces the market square and is less than a minute's walk from the High Street. Its striking powder-blue façade, a study in Georgian elegance, is as much a part of King's Lynn's Tuesday Market Place as the stalls that have traded there for generations. It's the quintessential market town hotel - a handsome hostelry with history at every turn, restored and restyled. Over the years it has hosted an impressive guest list including political icons, princesses; the who's who of King's Lynn's past - the Dukes Head has played host to them all.

The hotel combines period charm and contemporary chic and spacious guest rooms offer comfort and modern facilities including tea / coffee making facilities and flat screen TV. There is a restaurant and lively bar. A lift serves the modern part of the hotel whilst some 'classic' rooms are accessible by stairs alone.

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