North Weald Station

In the show, Biddlesham station is the nearest the trio can get by train to rural Combe Carey Hall. In real life, Biddlesham is actually North Weald station, just outside London, and it used to be part of the Tube network!

Until 1994, the Central line offered a little branch line shuttle service that ran from Epping station to three more stations (one of which was North Weald), terminating in the town of Ongar. The line was used less and less over the years until it was closed, and became a privately owned steam railway, operating just between North Weald and Ongar.

It’s a very pretty station (as George points out) and the steam railway makes a nice day out – the trip to Ongar is not very far, but it’s another pretty station, and there’s a cafe and a station shop at North Weald. You can ride the trains more than once. You can also stand outside the station on the driveway in the hope/fear Ellie will appear in a Bentley to collect you!

The railway is not open all the time, but it does operate most weekends in summer and some other dates – it’s best to check their website. On open days, there is a vintage bus shuttle service that picks you up from Epping Underground station and takes you to North Weald, included in the price of your ticket.

The railway is also where Lucy’s train trip to London in episode 1 was filmed. There’s a good chance Lucy’s actual carriage will be available to ride on! (Probably no torn-out agency adverts lying on the floor though.)

[Content provided by Ed]