The Littleton Whale

Great was the excitement when a whale became beached at Littleton-upon-Severn in January 1885.

Local traction engines from Olveston were used to haul it ashore. It became an overnight sensation and the Midland Railway ran special trains to Thornbury, the nearest station. People wanting to see the whale formed a queue of traffic three miles long, according to the Gazette.

Our display tells the full story…