There are three stations on the line, Beginning in the market town of Sudbury the line passes into Essex, through the villages of Bures and Chappel and Wakes Colne, the line then meets the mainline in a small Essex village just south of Colchester known as Marks Tey.
Sudbury
SudburyA Market Town in South Suffolk. Sudbury dates back to the age of the Saxons, although is most famously known as the birth place of painter Thomas Gainsborough.
For many centuries the town had a thriving Silk and Fabric Trade, and today still has a large industrial area, along with many retail outlets, and traditional market which visits twice a week.
Sudbury station is located in the town and is only a short walk away from the main shopping area, bus connections to one of the many villages can be made by walking towards Station Road then following the signs into the bus station.
Bures
BuresBures is made up of three different parishes: Bures St Mary, Bures Hamlet and Mount Bures, and is classified as an area of outstanding natural beauty.
Bures was once a busy industrial place however is now mostly residential with a few local business providing local services.
The village centres of both Bures Hamlet and Bures St Mary are a short walk from the station where there are many historic sites to explore.
More information about Bures can be found at the Bures Online website.
Chappel and Wakes Colne
Chappel and Wakes ColneOnce a busy junction between the Stour and Colne Valley Railways, Chappel Station is adjacent to the 32-arch viaduct which takes the line high over the River Colne and the Colne Valley.
The station and all its buildings remain in tact and is now the home of the East Anglian Railway Museum which has a range of preserved steam and diesel trains as well as a comprehensive collection of historic railway items.
The village of Chappel is a short walk from the station and include the Chappel Millennium Fields where you can get a full view of the viaduct.
http://www.sudbury-branchline.co.uk