Top 5 | Norfolk walks

Walking is a great way to enjoy so many lovely things: nature, fresh air, views and exercise. Exploring Norfolk on foot gives you a chance to see the beautiful landscapes, which change from gentle hills and woods to vast sandy beaches.

We have picked a Top 5 where you can see fantastic vistas, come across wildlife and have a break with a picnic or visit a lovely town on route.

Coast

Climb Cromer’s cliffs and be rewarded with spectacular views of its lighthouse, pier and out to sea (top photo). Walk the cliff top coast path from Overstrand to Cromer and, if you time it right with the tide, walk back along the shore.

For a shorter variation on the same theme, park on the road at the golf course, on the eastern outskirts of town. From here take the wide public path between the clubhouse and course, and go up to the lighthouse. In front of you is the picturesque gorse-covered ‘Happy Valley’ (late winter/ early spring). Also look out for tree lupins in late spring and bright orange sea buckthorn late autumn.

Carry on and look for a set of steep wooden steps cliff-side which take you down onto the beach (just ask if you can’t find them, they are a bit concealed) from where you can walk into Cromer. Enjoy taking a break to see the views while gradually ascending the slope. (Top images: Overstrand by Lesley van Dijk)

Countryside

The National Trust’s Felbrigg Hall offers sign-posted field and woodland walks (pictured), taking in such delights as its church, ice house and lake. A beech tree avenue forms a ‘Victory V’ when seen from above and is a planted memorial to the last squires brother, Richard Windham, killed in WWII. The Lion’s Mouth beech tree laden lane makes for a glorious autumn amble. Initials carved in the trunks date from the 1880s.

Holkham’s estate has several waymarked routes. Choose from a farm, lake or nature walk; the latter is a trail with 28 points of interest. Listening to drumming woodpeckers up near The Monument is, for us, one of the first signs of spring!

Long distance

Walk all or part of the 46 mile Peddars Way, an old Roman Road built in AD61 to enable troops to move through East Anglia following the revolt and subsequent defeat of Boudica and her Iceni tribe.

Starting in The Brecks, the route runs straight - Roman-style! - through Castle Acre (image on the right) and hits the coast just east of Hunstanton, at Holme Next The Sea.

If you’ve the time (and the legs) you can just keep walking as the Norfolk Coast Path continues a further 45 miles along North Norfolk’s shore, ending in seaside Cromer.

Just getting into your stride? Walk the Weavers Way; so called after the once important weaving industry that flourished in the Middle Ages around North Walsham. Start your journey literally on Cromer’s Victorian pier and end it in Great Yarmouth (also on its pier if you like!) 61 miles later!

Have a look at Norfolk Trails which is a great resource before planning your next long distance walk (image: Chris Taylor).

Circular

Follow the flood defence bank through the marshes from Blakeney to Cley. Park on the large ‘Carnser’ car park as the beginning of the bank hugs its outer edge. The terrain and subsequent view encapsulates Norfolk well.

Here you can explore Cley’s pretty village, (pottery, Cley smokehouse, books, Cley Mill, merchant houses) at the flood bank’s end before taking the footpath back to Blakeney. If you have time, peek into its cathedral-like church and rummage around in the reclamation yard next door. An interlude to Wiveton Café en route includes art, café, asparagus and PYO in season. (Image: Cley Mill by Chris Taylor)

Towns

If you would like to see more of Norfolk's towns and find out about its history, here are two suggestions to start with.

The North Norfolk town of Holt is perfectly sized for a good wander. ‘A Stroll through Georgian Holt’, published by The Holt Society and available from Holt bookshop, describes architecture and history in detail. It is a great way to scratch the surface of this charming town in North Norfolk.

Walk the history of Sheringham with the Heritage Trail booklet (available from the Fishermen’s Heritage Centre and from bookshops in town).

This 1.5 to 2 mile route takes in the older part of the town, including a medieval chapel. Threads running through the trail highlight the dominance of the fishing industry, the impact of tourism, lifeboat heroics and the coming of the railways.

If you would like to read more about Holt and Sheringham, we have already selected a Top 5 for you to do!