Bressingham Steam and Gardens

The Steam Museum and Gardens are located at Bressingham near Diss in Norfolk. It is "brown" Tourist Board signposted and easy to find, just 2½ miles west of Diss and 14 miles east of Thetford on the A1066.

Regular trains call at Diss Station, on the main line from Norwich to London, Liverpool Street.

Dads Army Display

The exhibition consists of the Church Hall & Vicar's office, Frazer's Workshop & Funeral Directors, Mainwaring's Swallow Bank, Jones's Butcher shop, Post Office & Stores, Francis Cupiss printers and David Cooke toyshop. The Dinky toys in the toyshop are part of a collection on loan from Mr. David Cooke and the steam models are from the David Woof collection. The contents of the Post Office store, Church Hall and Vicar's office are mostly on loan from the Dads Army Appreciation Society. Jones's butcher shop is mainly fitted out with equipment donated by Mr & Mrs Dennis Self of Stoke Ferry when they retired from their butcher's shop in May 2000. The hand cranked sausage machine and electric mincer date from the early 1950's.

The Gardens

When Alan Bloom commenced to build his garden his motivation was simple. He realised that although many gardens grew perennials they invariably took second place to trees, shrubs, roses or rhododendrons. His garden was therefore designed, and is still maintained, as a hardy perennial garden planted where perennials can grow as nature intended. To cram the plants in narrow borders with a wall or hedge as backing was not in keeping with this principle. The first island beds were made in front of the house in 1953, as an experiment, and it was soon evident that the plants not only grew more sturdily, needing scarcely any supports, but that an additional advantage was that they could be seen from all sides. From 1957 to 1963 many more island beds were made and, as one of the foremost specialists in hardy plants, Alan Bloom was able to widen his collection until it became what is probably the largest in Britain, with some 5,000 species and varieties. The unique character of the garden was enhanced by the setting of mature trees which stood in the park-like meadow.

A totally different experience from the Dell Garden, this highly acclaimed private garden was created by Adrian Bloom for all year round seasonal colour and interest.

Winter Bed

This bed has plantings of colourful shrubs, trees and perennials that look spectacular in the winter months.

Snake Bed

Over 15 species and varieties of Miscanthus and with many colourful perennials planted in the 'shape' of a snake.

All Seasons' Bed

This 25 year old bed, previously the famous Conifer Bed, was overhauled during late winter of 2000 and now includes new plantings of conifers, heathers, perennials and ornamental grasses.

Woodland Glade

Plantings of moisture and shade loving plants at the back of the pond with bridge and decking walkway.