The Best of British Fund, created in partnership with Airbnb and Visit Britain, sets aside money to support and celebrate tourist attractions.

The North Norfolk Railway has received £50,000 in funding, following an application to help them convert a coach into an accessible saloon.

This would help remove restrictions on visiting the railway, allowing those with additional mobility requirements to enjoy a journey on the railway in a dedicated coach made to support them and their needs.

Not only would more people be able to access everyday journeys, but for the very first time, they would also be able to enjoy the railway’s dining trains.

The railway is one of 25 winners and was awarded under the Culture & Heritage category.

The line is looking forward to welcoming more passengers to their wide range of events with the newly upgraded coach, which will cost around £250,000 to complete.

“We are delighted to have received this support which will allow us to better welcome all our visitors. When these carriages were first built in the 1950s and 60s accessibility was not considered as it is nowadays, and with many specialist skills needed to complete a project such as this it would simply not be possible without external funding support. With the overall project set to cost around £250,000, grants of this nature really are invaluable. Our team are continuing to seek out other funding opportunities and we’re looking forward to being able to share this new coach with our future visitors.”

North Norfolk Railway General Manager, Graham Hukins