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Wednesday, 27 April 2022
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A circular walk taking in the Weavers Way, Honing and Dilham
This walk explores a part of the Weavers Way long distance trail, taking in the restored Honing station before departing to follow the Dilham canal around to the village of Dilham where the Cross Keys pub provides a worthy place to take a break.
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Wednesday, 16 March 2022
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A ramble through the North Norfolk countryside
A walk using country lanes, footpaths to provide a circular walk inland from the coast at Cromer
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Monday, 28 February 2022
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A walk liing the Bittern Line stations of NorthWalsham and Worstead
This route follows the Dilham Canal to make a pleasurable walk between the stations of North Walsham and Worstead.
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Monday, 7 February 2022
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Walk from Cromer through the hills and woodland to Pretty Corner
Pretty Corner is woodland around former quarries that is located in the hills above Sheringham. For a more adventrous and rewarding walk, one can walk from Cromer, navigating through the woodland that cover the hills above the coast. Some great views and and magnificent woodland. Return can be made by bus back to Cromer
Distance:long , Norfolk , OSmap:252 , summary
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Sunday, 12 December 2021
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A 17 mile circular walk through the countryside of North Norfolk linking East Runton and Aldborough
Aldborough is the quintessential English village with a pub facing the large village green where the sound of willow on leather can be heard from the afternoon games of cricket that are frequently staged during lazy summer afternoons. You cannot get a more stereotypically English village than Aldborough.
Distance:long , Norfolk , OSmap:252 , summary
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Saturday, 1 May 2021
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Walking the original route to Norfolk's Paston Way
The Paston Way is a long distance trail around north east Norfolk that takes its names from the eminent Paston family who lived in the area during the 15th century, originating from the village of Paston. Although the route of the trail has been altered in more recent years in order to incorporate additional villages and churches in the area, originally it was a sub-20 mile trail with branches to outlying villages and churches. The original route can still be accessed and is a great way to spend a days walking between Norfolk's North Walsham and Cromer.
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Tuesday, 24 December 2019
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An easy 8 mile Norfolk coastal walk along beach and clifftops between Sheringham and Cromer
The Norfolk Coast Path was rerouted in 2014 as part of its inclusion to the England Coast Path. It now navigate alogn the cliff tops for most of the distance along what used to be permissive paths that have now become public. This walk uses both coast path and beach to create a delightful walk along this awe-inspiring section of the North Norfolk coast. Do check tide times and make sure the beach walk is undertaken 2 hours either side of low tide.
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Thursday, 19 December 2019
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A 7 mile walk between East Runton and Sheringham in Norfolk, searching out a couple of good pubs and following Beeston Beck across Beeston Common.
This picturesque trail follows the foot of Inkleborough Hill to West Runton then navigates down to the northern end of Beeston Back Common where it follows the stream known as Beeston Beck down into Sheringham, past the site of an old watermill, now replaced by terraces of housing. Return is via West Runton with a stop at the Village Inn. At only 7 miles, this is a simple and easy afternoons stroll.
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A 6 mile walk along the original route of the Norfolk Coast Path between Cromer and Sheringham
Up until December 2014 the official route of the Norfolk Coast Path from its start at Cromer Pier through to Sheringham navigated inland along the hills of the Cromer Ridge, the highest ground in Norfolk. This original route can still be walked and contrasts with the cliff-top route of the realigned path which is now part of the England Coast Path. With shady lanes and tracks through the woodland, spectacular views from the summit of Beacon Hill and the challenging ascent to the iconic Beeston Bump, this walk is a worthwhile excursion from the coastal route.
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A 6 mile beach walk to witness the damage caused by the 2013 Storm Surge at Cromer and Sheringham
Both Cromer and Sheringham bore the brunt of the storm surge on the night of December 5th 2013. Although repair work is well under way there are still the signs of what damage the sea can cause. There have also been many cliff falls along this length of coastline with the cliff faces providing a fascinating view sculptured by the weather and tides and offering multi coloured strata.
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Wednesday, 18 December 2019
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A 17 mile walk along Norfolk's Weavers Way from Cromer to Aylsham
Historic halls, stately homes and ancient commons and villages are what typifies this northern section of the Weavers Way. This really is a typical old English scene throughout making a most pleasurable all day walk. There are numerous pubs along the route which serve both ale and food.
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A 7 mile walk along Norfolk's Paston Way from Cromer to Gunton.
The Paston Way has a few alternative paths that stray from its main route between North Walsham and Cromer, and this walk takes the optional route out to Gunton from where a train can be taken back to Cromer. There are some worthy country pubs along this simple walk so a good old English pub crawl can also be had along with taking in the sights of the impressive churches at Northrepps and Southrepps plus local tales of wartime German conspiracies!
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The future of the 2.5 mile walk along the sea defences between Blakeney and Cley
The December 2013 Storm Surge caused major damage to the sea defences along the Norfolk Coast Path that encompasses the Blakeney Freshes. Work is currently being carried out to repair the breaches, however the long term future of both the Freshes and the coast path at this point is uncertain.
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.
Details of public transport that is required for the walk
The storm surge on 5th/6th December 2013 caused a lot of damage to the area around Cley and Blakeney as evidenced during an earlier walk, detailed at The Aftermath of the 2013 Storm Surge - Blakeney, Cley and Salthouse. Returning during August 2014, it would appear that repair works are in progress although the long term future of both the Blakeney Freshes and the Coast Path around them is uncertain. Currently there are several parts of the flood defence banks that the Coast Path follows that have breaches already repaired, albeit the height of the defence bank is distinctly lower than its previous incarnation. A diversion is currently in place across the marsh as works are being undertaken along the northern side of the defences. There is also a major breach adjacent to Blakeney Quay where the current footpath diverts onto the beach area in front of Blakeney. It is good to see access once again available, especially as reports earlier in the year were implying that the repair work was seriously in doubt due to lack of funding.
The Environment Agency, the authority in charge of the area, offered a July update on the matter which is available atwww.norfolkcoastaonb.org.uk/mediaps/pdfuploads/pd003272.pdf. This details the meetings and responses from the various concerned parties who have a stake in the area. The end of the update concludes with the heading 'What Happens Next' which states:
We believe it is inevitable that the habitats of the Blakeney Freshes are going to change over time in response to sea level rise. However, we want to take all practical steps to secure the existing site features for the short term and then to work with owners and occupiers to encourage new nature conservation interests to evolve.
We have concluded from our investigations that the best and most sustainable approach is to repair the damaged embankment with a profile which has a lower and wider crest and shallower slopes. This will be more resilient to damage during any future surge events than the previous embankment design. We also want to reduce the time that saltwater stands on the marshes and we are looking into improvements to the existing sluices and drainage system.
Our intention now is to make progress quickly in order to have a reasonable defence standard in place before the high tides forecast in the autumn. We are planning to be on site in early August and we will issue fact sheets with more details before we start.
It is pleasing to know that this delightful walk is being reinstated although with the defence bank being lower the risk over over-topping is increased with more frequent flooding expected which may well render the coast path along this section inaccessible at certain times. In the longer term, the reference to 'sea level change' appears to imply that eventually this area will be lost to the sea, with the resulting loss of the present route the coast path takes. This remains to be seen.
Even so, whether the long term results in the loss of the route or whether short term flooding leaves the route inaccessible for short periods of time, there are a few reasonable alternatives that enable the walker to perambulate between the two villages:
Beach walk between Cley and Blakeney
The path leads up the embankment on the westward side of Cley village before leading out across the marshes along the defence banks.
The pub is recognisable, when approaching from the coast road heading towards the quay, by the distinct characters spelled out in black on the red pantile roofing declaring 'FH 1760'. The 1760 is a reference to when the roof was replaced, however the reason for initials 'FH' are lost in time although it is thought they may have referred to the then owner. There is also speculation that this was the date that the building first became an Inn but the name of the appears to refer back to earlier times. Many pubs obtained royal names after the restoration of the monarchy in 1660 after a period of Puritan rule. This is also borne out in the royal crest which is displayed on the southern wall of the building.
The interior is decorated with memorabilia of old musical hall stars and movie posters. This highlights the career of the former pub owner, Howard Davies, who had a long career which included working with the Black and White minstrels as well as appearing in acting parts for both television and films. Additional items on display are numerous clocks which reflect Howards lifelong interest in horology. Sadly Mr Davies passed away in 2010, but the pub has been retained within the family and is now managed by his son Nic.
The pub is renowned for its fish and seafood dishes and have a specials board that changes daily. Ale from Greene King plus gravity fed barrels of ale from Woodfordes that sit under cooling jackets behind the bar.
The pub is quite compact but always busy and the bar staff friendly. I have to admit that recent offerings of Woodfordes Wherry have not fulfilled expectations, but the offering from this pub, straight from the barrel, restored some faith in the fine ale. A rewarding and refreshing well kept pint.
On the northward side of the marshes at the point where the Coast Path turns westwards towards Blakeney is the location of the old Blakeney Chapel. The site is to the north of the River Glaven and is therefore unreachable from the coast path with little to view apart from a information board to point out its whereabouts. Despite its name, Blakeney Chapel is not in the parish of Blakeney but Cley and even its use as a chapel is rather dubious. Old maps depict it as a chapel but there is no documentary or archaeological evidence to support the claim of any religious function with the only clue to its use being a small hearth which it has been suggested could imply was for smelting iron. Its first appearance on a map was in 1586 where the building was depicted but unnamed. By 1769 a map by Cranefields displayed the building as "Eye House" but by 1797 William Faden's map names the building as Chapel ruins, a name which has stuck to the present time. Little of the structure remains apart from the foundations, the original building material probably carried off for reuse in the buildings of Cley and Blakeney. Today the ruins are protected as a scheduled monument although there is no active management. With increasing sea levels and constant erosion with a steady migration southwards of the beachside shingle bank it is thought the ruins will soon be buried and then lost to the sea.
Below are a selection of images taken from from the photo album for this walk. Feel free to browse through these or click on an image to view a larger version in the Gallery.
Last Updated: 2021-12-07
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