Berney Arms sees boost in visitors after least-used accolade

In 2019, only 42 passengers visited the Berney Arms, the most remote railway stop in Norfolk.

The station sits in the middle of marshland on a single-line track between Great Yarmouth and Reedham.

Consisting of a short platform, a name plate and a small wooden shelter, it is several miles from the nearest road and accessible only by train, boat or foot.

A sign along the walk from Berney Arms. (Image: Eastern Daily Press © 2010) But in the 12 months up to March this year, the stop enjoyed 800 visits.

The numbers, released by the Office of Rail and Road, suggest the station has attracted hundreds of visitors in recent years precisely because it was named Britain's least-used station in 2019.

There was a good reason it was that year's quietest station - it was shut. From October 2018 to February 2020, Berney Arms had been closed for resignalling work. 

Still, after that year's accolade, visits surged - 348 the next year, 868 in 2021, and a peak of 950 in 2023 as railway enthusiasts flocked to see the isolated station. 

This year, however, the number of visitors has fallen again, with a total of 800, making it now the fifth quietest station in the east of England. 

File photo of Berney Arms railway station. (Image: Archant) Berney Arms station is around three miles from the nearest public road. It is close to the River Yare and surrounded by the RSPB's Berney Marshes and Breydon Water reserve.

The Wherry Line between Norwich and Great Yarmouth got Royal Assent in 1842, work started in 1843, and on May 1, 1844, Berney Arms opened with the rest of the line.

One of the stipulations set forth by owner Thomas Trench Berney for the sale of the land was the construction of a railway station in the marshes.

The least used station in the East of England in the 12 months up to March this year was Shippea Hill, on the Breckland Line between Norwich and Cambridge, with 70 visits.

Once again, the busiest station was Cambridge with 10m entries and exits.