Route details, maps, pubs, features, local history and folklore for a wide variety of walks focusing primarily on Norfolk and Suffolk

Features:Railway Heritage Walks
Showing posts with label Features:Railway Heritage. Show all posts

Tuesday 22 February 2022

The Essex Coast - Salcott to Tollesbury

Salcott to Tollesbury

The sixth stage of a weeks walking along the Essex Coast between Manningtree and Maldon.

Tollesbury was not an easy location to get to using public transport, therefore we drove down to the village and made two circular walks in a figure of 8, firstly up to Salcott and back, then around Tollesbury Wick marshes. Here we at last saw the sea, the first glimpse since Brightlingsea, with Mersea Island just across the estuary.

Monday 21 February 2022

The Essex Coast - St Osyth to Wivenhoe

St Osyth to Wivenhoe

The fourth stage of a weeks walking along the Essex Coast between Manningtree and Maldon.

All weekend the weather forecasters were issuing weather warnings of torrential rain for the Tuesday that we were due to walk this section. As it happened, the rain came down in the night and the walk up the Colne Estuary turned out to be a sunny day and a well worth walk. Even though this was the longest section that entailed some road walking and a couple of errors in navigating it was probably the most rewarding of the weeks walks.

Tuesday 17 December 2019

A Walk along the Bure Valley Path

A 9 mile walk along Norfolk's Bure Valley Path between Aylsham and Wroxham

The Bure Valley Path follows the former Great Eastern Railway trackbed alongside the Bure Valley Narrow Gauge Railway. There are outstanding views of the river Bure and stops on route at Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall. Being a former trackbed gives a well drained path so the route is suitable for all weathers.

South West Coast Path - Brixham to Kingswear

Looking towards the Dart Estuary

A 10 mile walk along the South West Coast Path between Brixham and Kingswear.

This section is one of the most strenuous walks along the Exmouth to Plymouth section of the Coast Path but offers some spectacular views. There are craggy cliff-face paths as well as gentle wooded zig-zags before it finally meets the lanes that emerge by the railway station at Kingswear. A frequent bus service operates between Brixham and Kingswear to allow the walker to return to the start point.

Wednesday 27 November 2019

A Hike along the Marriotts Way

Sculpture that marks the start of the Marriotts Way at Norwich

The Marriott's Way links Aylsham and Norwich following the former trackbed of the Midland and Great Northern Railway.

The Marriott's Way is a footpath, bridleway and cycle route, which follows the routes of two disused railway lines, and runs between the historic market town of Aylsham and the medieval city of Norwich. Along with the mileage markers which are created from old rails complete with a metal rubbing plaque, there are numerous concrete sculptures, village markers, interactive sound boxes and benches which all provide added interest and information along the route.

Thursday 4 April 2019

The Poppy Line - Holt to Sheringham

Steam engine heading to Weybourne

A 6.5 mile walk following the Poppy Heritage Steam Railway Line between Holt and Sheringham

An easy ramble roughly following the Poppy Line from Holt to Sheringham. The varied landscape that this route navigated is heathland, woodland and coast with the ever present steam railway always in range either audibly or physically. A great way to see the engines in full steam with a return being hauled back on this iconic railway. The best place to watch the engines close up is the level crossing on Kelling Heath where the steam engines require a full head of steam to get their loads up the incline from Weybourne.

Sunday 13 January 2019

Goathland to Grosmont Rail Trail

USA Class S160 locomotive 6046

A simple 3.5 mile walk along side the North Yorkshire Moors Railway

Amazing scenery with the sounds of steam engines chugging up the gradients makes this an awesome walk. The route follows the Esk Valley through woodland and open pasture in this idyllic Yorkshire setting. The return route can be a ride on a steam railway which appeals to most people, and with a steep gradient to scale it provides all the sound and excitement associated with steam trains.

Thursday 10 January 2019

South West Coast Path - Hayle to St Ives

View to Godrevy Point

An easy and delightful 6 mile walk along the South West Coast Path between Hayle and St Ives

This is one of the easier sections of the South West Coast Path that keeps within easy reach of civilisation and follows the St Ives branch line along this idyllic coastline. A few climbs but nothing too strenuous. Excellent views across the sandy beaches up to Godrevy Point. Perfect for a Sunday afternoon stroll.

Friday 28 December 2018

Angles Way - Oulton Broad to Beccles

Beccles

A 9 mile walk along the Angles Way between Oulton Broad and Beccles in Suffolk

The path between Oulton Broad and Beccles doubles up as both The Angles Way and the East Suffolk Coast Line walk. There is not much to this walk other than following the winding path alongside the River Waveney. It is a pleasant enough stroll but without much activity on the river it can become a little monotonous until Beccles approaches. Nonetheless, what a better way than to spend a sunny afternoon other than ambling alongside the river.

Friday 21 December 2018

Weavers Way - Potter Heigham to North Walsham

A 20 mile walk along the Weavers Way between Potter Heigham and North Walsham

The Weavers Way winds its way along the River Thurne and then up Candle Dyke to Hickling Broad. From here it cuts across country to Stalham where it picks up the old railway trackbed through to just south of North Walsham. It is a full days walk with plenty of refreshment stops en route and plenty to see and do along the way.

Wednesday 12 December 2018

South West Coast Path - Starcross to Paignton

Dawlish Sea Wall Railway

A lengthy section along the South West Coast Path taking in the the English Riviera between Starcross and Paignton

From the Exe estuary where the ferry links Exmouth and Starcross, the South West Coast Path heads southwards through the English Riviera Towns of Dawlish, Teignmouth, Torquay and Paignton. This section is a mixture of level walking through towns interspersed with hill walking through Maidencombe, Watcombe and Babbacombe and out to Hope's Nose. There are excellent transport links throughout including the iconic railway that runs along the sea wall from Teignmouth up to Starcross and is as inspiring as the walk itself.

Thursday 22 November 2018

Wells, Wareham, Wighton and Railways

River Stiffkey

A 9 miles circular walk that follows the Walsingham light railway from Wells-next-the-sea to Wighton with a return along tracks that make up National Cycle Route 1

This is a short circular walk taking in the villages of Warham and Wighton just inland from Wells and following the route of the Wells and Walsingham light railway. There is plenty to see along the route including paying a visit to the old Wells-next-the-sea Railway Station, which is now a fascinating second hand book shop and pottery studio. There is an iron age fort known as Warham Camp in the fields between Warham and Wighton and return is via the curiously named Gallow Hill on the Holkham estate. There are two pubs on route, the Carpenters Arms at Wighton and the Three Horseshoes at Warham, a pub with real old world character full of curiosities which is worth the walk alone.

Sunday 10 December 2017

Southwold to Blythburgh along the former Southwold Railway

Blythburgh

A linear walk along the former trackbed of the Southwold Railway to Blythburgh

The Southwold Railway was a narrow gauge line that linked Halesworth and Southwold. This closed in 1929 but the track bed is still in existence to Blythburgh and makes an excellent walk. The White Hart pub offers a place for refreshment before returning along the same route. Outstanding views across the Blyth estuary and easy walking across heath and woodland make this a well worthwhile excursion.

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