Blakeney to Binham Circular Walk ~ Griffmonsters Great Walks

Sunday, 6 February 2022

Blakeney to Binham Circular Walk

Author: Griffmonster | Sunday, 6 February 2022 | No comments |

Blakeney to Binham Circular Walk

A great full days walk that takes in the ruins of Binham Priory

An excellent wander across the Norfolk countryside which takes in the magnificent ruins of Binham priory and the awesome landscape where the route navigates through the valley of the Stiffkey river to the coast path

NOTE

This is a walk summary intended to provide the user with just the essential information in order to navigate the walk route. Fully detailed information notes, refreshment stops and walk features are not included in this. A full write up will be included in the near future.

Blakeney to Binham Circular Walk - Essential Information

Walk Statistics (calculated from GPX):

Start location: Blakeney
Distance: miles ( km)
Total Gain: ft ( metre)
Total Descent: ft ( metre)
Min Height: ft ( metre)
Max Height: ft ( metre)
Walk Time:
Walk Grade: Easy
Terrain: Footpath, Country Lane

Maps:

The following maps and services can assist in navigating this route. There are links to printed maps and links to downloadable GPX route data for importing into navigational software and apps.

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map: OS Explorer 251 - Norfolk Coast Central
GPX Route File

Route Verification Details

Date of Walk: 24/08/2014
Walk Time: 09:00:00 to 17:00:00
Walkers: Griff, Kat
Weather Conditions: warm

Walk Notes

It was late August and all the Norfolk campsites seemed to be full to capacity. Fortunately we found space at the basic but friendly and accommodating Galley Hill site south of Blakeney. This was a decent wander into the town and gave some clear dark nights to look at the stars away from light pollution. Sometimes when your favourite campsites are full it is good to find something new and some new experiences and new places to explore and this was just that.

The walk uses tracks, country lanes and footpaths to visit Binham priory, where there are extensive ruins of the former Benedictine priory which was founded in 1091 by Peter des Valoines, the nephew of William the Conqueror. The ruins are said to be haunted by a hooded monk and there are legends of a tunnel that links the priory with Walsingham. I will investigate all these legends at a later date when I find time to undertake the research. I have to say that the ruins and the accompanying church did not disappoint and would others to visit.

The local pub, the Chequers at Binham once used to host the Front Street Brewery which started brewing in 2005 but unfortunately finished in 2013. Over that period of time I sampled many pints of their ales but never from the tap at their brewery. Despite this the pub still offers some fine local Norfolk ales, well this was certainly the case when we visited.

One aspect ofg this walk which was certainly mnot expected was the walk back to the coast path at Stiffkey. This follow a footpath through a valley where the River Stiffkey flows and the landscape is completely atypical from that one assocaites with the county. It was a sheer pleasure to wander throught this landscape, probably a route few know about and certainly on this wekend where all campsites seem to be fully booked, not a soul was seen on this path, not h#even a ghostly hooded monk.