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Choo Choo Moo

East Anglia Norfolk Harleston

2 Train Carriages
Quirky & Unique

Two restored railway carriages for year-round glamping on the Norfolk-Suffolk border.

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Consisting of two lovingly-restored railway carriages on a working farm in East Anglia’s Waveney Valley, the wonderfully named Choo Choo Moo is just one of many projects at South Farm – a glamping site, for sure, but one with a difference. Not only do its two beautifully restored vintage railway carriages provide somewhere truly different to rest your head, they are perfectly complemented by the farm's other activities, where a brewery, distillery and artisan ice creamery show that the South Norfolk rural economy is thriving!

Now arable, this place was once a dairy farm whose milk was transported, until the 1950s, by railway. The tracks are long gone but two carriages have survived and now have a new purpose thanks to Richard Bond, a 3rd-generation farmer on this large and rather lovely plot of land, offering fully-equipped, off-grid, dog-friendly glamping accommodation for two. Each is completely self-contained, with its own toilet and shower room, kitchenette and sofa bed, and a large deck outside overlooking the fields and wildflower meadows. All towels and bedding is provided and they are also a perfect all-year-round option, with a log-burner in each carriage and fire pits outside.

From here you can explore the gentle Norfolk countryside to your heart's content with any number of country walks available, and the local artisan industries mean you can always finish your walk in style, with a pint of beer, a nip of gin or a scoop of just-made ice cream. The glamping here has been sensibly placed in the expert hands of Joe and Holly from the nearby Wardley Hill Campsite – a blissful nearby site that gets regular five-star reviews. Come in spring to see the birdlife of the Broads National Park; visit in summer to picnic by the River Waveney or to hit the Suffolk coast at nearby Southwold. Arrive in autumn and you might just catch the harvest at the nearby Flint Vineyard, or book up for winter to enjoy bracing walks and a chance to sip sloe gin by the fire. At any time of year these glamping carriages are a perfect choice for two, and it's worth knowing that the same owners also run the excellent Griffin Lodge in case you're looking for somewhere bigger.

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Details

Facilities

The railway carriages both have a small kitchen with a gas hob. There’s a sink with running water and all pots, pans, crockery and cutlery are included. There’s a small shower room with a shower, toilet and a small hand basin. The sofa pulls out into a double bed and there is a wood burner to keep you toasty. Outside there is a boot box, table, chairs, fire pit and a BBQ. Logs are provided. A separate, shared shed to which guests have access has a fridge per hut, a couple of bikes which guests can borrow and space for extra storage.

Suitable For

Glamping only. Suitable for adult couples and individuals. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.

Nearby

There are plenty of walks in and around South Farm and farmer Richard is more than happy to take you around and show you how an arable farm works. Grain Brewery (01986 788884) is part of the farm’s diversification hub – it’s the perfect place for a pint and just a 10-minute walk from the carriages. Gin tastings are also possible at the Gin House when booked in advance. A 15-minute bike ride will take you to Flint Vineyard (01986 893942) where you can enjoy a tour and tasting or their '15-mile lunch' where all produce has been made 15 miles from the vineyard. The pretty market town of Harleston is less than 10 minutes drive away and has cafés, bakeries, shops and pubs. Historic Norwich is 15 miles away. Its old cobbled lanes are great for independent shops, plus there's Norwich Castle & Museum and Norwich Cathedral (01603 218300) to explore. While, if history is your thing, the nearby Norfolk and Suffolk Aviation Museum (01986 896644; 5 minutes' drive) has an impressive collection of aircraft outside and a indoor displays documenting East Anglia's important role in the skies over the years. The famous coastal town of Southwold is about 20 miles from Choo Choo Moo with its quirky pier (01502 722105) and world-famous Adnams shop. The site is only six miles from the edge of the The Broads National Park and the closest place to head for is Bungay where there’s a handy deli to pick up a picnic. The River Waveney is a lovely place to spend the day – hire a canoe or stand-up paddle board and spend the day looking for otters and kingfishers.

Food & Drink

The Grain Brewery (01986 788884) is the closest place to get a pint but, if you want to stretch your legs further, The Wortwell Bell (01986 788025) is a 30-minute walk away and serves real ales and ciders with wood-fired pizzas on the menu on a Friday night. Closer than that (a walk of around 20 minutes) is Dove Restaurant with its coffee shop and restaurant. The very dog-friendly Pura Vida Coffee Den is also a 20 minute walk away and serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, coffee and cakes. Earsham Street Deli (01986 894754) in Bungay, five miles away, is another place to stock up on local produce and a convenient place to pick up a riverbank picnic. But if you want to go straight to the producers, visit Fen Farm Dairy (01986 892350), a short drive from Choo Choo Moo, where you can buy the famous Baron Bigod cheese and perhaps pick up a bottle of wine from the aforementioned Flint Farm Vineyard. Norwich's historic market (01603 213537) boasts plenty of food stalls open Monday to Saturday.

Open

Available all year.

Pricing

£369 Friday to Monday and £469 Friday to Monday.

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The Owner Says

Step away from the crowd and immerse yourself in this oasis of calm. The best in modern living in an ageless rural setting, but just thirty minutes away from a vibrant city and beautiful coast. Stay put and explore this working farm, engaging in a family history that stretches back generations.

The authentic railway carriages are situated in traditional farm meadows in the heart of Alburgh which is a quintessential country village in the beautiful Waveney Valley.

Spend time discovering all that Choo Choo Moo has to offer in the heart of the Norfolk countryside. Enjoy long walks amongst this tranquil setting with a nearby brewery and distillery, or venture further afield with local market towns and the historic city of Norwich nearby.

Location

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Getting There

Choo Choo Moo is a three-minute drive off the A143 at Wortwell. Follow the signs to Grain Brewery, pass the brewery on your left and take the first left on to Low Ditch Road. The carriages are 120 metres on the left. It is 87 miles from junction 28 on the M25 or 93 miles from Junction 27. By bike, take the northern section of cycle route 30 and you’ll come straight pass the gate.

Choo Choo Moo is a 10-minute walk from the ‘Picadilly Corner’ bus stop in Arburgh which is served by the number 84 Konnect bus from Harleston or Norwich. You can arrive by train at Beccles or Diss Station and pick up a taxi or bus to Harleston.