William Marriott Museum

This museum tells the story of East Anglia’s railways and in particular William Marriott’s Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway (or the ‘Muddle and Get Nowhere’ as it was affectionately known).   

Marriott masterminded and ran the railway lines that opened up the Broads and the North Norfolk coast to tourism.  Most of Norfolk’s M&GN lines were closed in 1959 but local people rescued a section to create the Poppy Line and this museum.

Housed in a replica of a typical railway goods shed, the museum places a colourful range of artefacts and ephemera, alongside fascinating information about the building and workings of railways, their local impact and the day to experiences of train travellers. 

A trip on the North Norfolk Railway itself, with its wonderful sea views and nostalgic atmosphere, is also highly recommended.

• Reserve collections and archives covering the history of railways in East Anglia – contact the curator to arrange a visit