The Bittern Line, Norwich to Sheringham

It may only cover 30 miles, but this hour-long journey covers much that’s good about East Anglia. First there’s the handsome Saxon market city of Norwich, with its cathedral and flourishing cultural and creative scene.

Then comes the Norfolk Broads, a secret world of lakes and rivers hidden behind screens of reeds, busy with birds (including the rare bittern itself ), with boat cruises available from Hoveton & Wroxham station. And finally the train arrives at the Norfolk coast, first at Cromer, famous for its pier and its crab sandwiches.

Afterwards, it terminates along the shore at Sheringham, a traditional seaside holiday town with good sand at low tide.

There’s a connection here to the North Norfolk Steam Railway, which along with the Bure Valley Line at Hoveton & Wroxham is a preserved heritage railway (bitternline.com).