Blickling celebrates a year of bus services improving greener access to estate

The weekday route was launched last year following Norfolk County Council's regular review of bus services and a partnership with Good Journey, a national organisation promoting car-free days out across the county.

Visitors to Blickling Estate can travel via a Sunbeam bus direct from Aylsham Market Place on a Monday and Friday (excluding bank holidays). The Sunbeam service 1A departs Aylsham at 10.10am and 11.40am. The return journey departs from the roadside in front of Blickling Hall at 11.50am, 1.28pm and 4.08pm, allowing bus users plenty of time to explore the house, gardens, estate, cafés, shop and second-hand bookshop, before making their return journey.

Heather Jermy, General Manager of Blickling Estate, said: “I’m delighted that we now have an established bus route between the heart of Aylsham and Blickling Estate during the week. This car-free access to our rural setting allows visitors access to the history, beauty and nature Blickling has to offer in a more sustainable way. It also provides those who can’t drive, or who don’t have access to a car, with more options when planning a day out. For some, it might also be a more affordable choice.”

Alongside the seasonal highlights of bluebells, azaleas and rhododendrons and the produce in the walled garden, Blickling has a full programme of events to enjoy throughout 2025, based around a theme of ‘creativity’. These include a family Easter trail outside in the garden, creative writing by a refugee/migrant group on display in the House, a family pARTy on the parade over the school summer holidays, and the opportunity to see sculptures by Rebecca Stevenson’s wonderful installation ‘Mary, Maria, Marianne’. Autumn will have a focus on textiles and textures, including the conserved Queen Anne insignia coverlet from the State Bed, and Christmas in the House will be inspired by the collection.

All services are signed up to the Government’s national bus fare cap, which means a single journey is £3 until the end of 2025. Children under five and concessionary pass holders travel for free. Well behaved dogs are welcome (although not on seats).

Blickling is part of the Good Journey scheme and offers a discount for anyone arriving car-free. This is currently 20% off entry and 10% off in the cafés. To find out more, visit the Good Journey webpages for Blickling.

Visit the Sunbeam Coaches to see the full timetable for the 1B Service to Blickling Estate.