Greater Anglia trains from Norwich will end at Shenfield from 27 December to 4 January, with buses on to Newbury Park. Christmas Eve trains stop by 10pm.
Trains from Norwich will not reach London Liverpool Street for nine days over Christmas and New Year.
From Sunday 27 December to Monday 4 January, Greater Anglia’s main line trains will run only as far as Shenfield, in Essex, about 20 miles short of Liverpool Street. Rail replacement buses will run from Shenfield and Ingatestone to Newbury Park, a Central line Underground station in east London.
Greater Anglia published the arrangements in its service alterations calendar. Tickets will be accepted on the Underground between Newbury Park and Stratford or Liverpool Street (Greater Anglia, Shenfield/Ingatestone to Newbury Park).
Why the line is shut
Network Rail is closing the lines in the Forest Gate area, in east London, for engineering work. National Rail’s Christmas summary says Greater Anglia trains “cannot run between London Liverpool Street and Shenfield”. It adds that Elizabeth line services will also be affected (National Rail, Christmas and New Year 2026/27).
The two sources give different end dates. National Rail says the closure runs to Sunday 3 January inclusive. Greater Anglia’s own entry runs to Monday 4 January. Plan on the later date until the timetables are loaded.
The Christmas week, day by day
| Day | Norwich line trains |
|---|---|
| Thursday 24 December | Early shutdown: fewer trains from 7pm, all finished by 10pm |
| Friday 25 December | No trains |
| Saturday 26 December | The only Greater Anglia service listed is the Stansted Express, Stansted Airport to Tottenham Hale |
| Sunday 27 December to Monday 4 January | Trains run Norwich to Shenfield; buses Shenfield and Ingatestone to Newbury Park |
| Monday 28 December | Boxing Day bank holiday, moved from the Saturday |
The Christmas Eve and Christmas Day entries are Greater Anglia’s (Christmas Eve shutdown; Christmas Day; Saturday 26 December). National Rail confirms the substitute bank holiday on 28 December, and says most operators will run no service on the 26th.
Greater Anglia lists no separate Christmas closure on the Wherry or Bittern lines, beyond the shutdown days above. That covers Brundall, Acle, Reedham, Salhouse and Hoveton and Wroxham.
What it means for you
- Going to London between 27 December and 4 January: allow extra time. The journey becomes a train to Shenfield, a bus to Newbury Park and the Central line into the city.
- Coming home on Christmas Eve: do not count on a late train. Services thin out from 7pm and stop by 10pm.
- Check again in December. National Rail says its guide to last trains from London will be published in late November or early December.
The full picture for Broadland’s stations, buses and parking is on our Christmas trains and buses page. For normal journeys, see train times to London.
Before then, there is one more Wherry line closure. From Friday 13 to Monday 16 November, buses replace trains between Norwich and Lowestoft, and between Reedham and Lingwood via Cantley (Greater Anglia, Norwich/Oulton Broad South and Lowestoft). Our roadworks and travel page carries the details.
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