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

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Saturday 1 May 2021

The Original Paston Way Route

Norfolk countryside

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.

Thursday 19 December 2019

In search of the Becks and Ponds of Beeston Regis

View from foot of Incleborough Hill

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.

Old Coast Path Route - Cromer to Sheringham

Beeston Bump

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.

Cromer to Mundesley Beach Walk

Cromer

A beach walk along the Norfolk Coast between Mundesley and Cromer including a clifftop stroll from Cromer to Overstrand.

This section of the Norfolk Coast can only be walked when the tide allows as high tide reaches the foot of the cliffs and is impassable at Overstrand. There is frequent erosion all along the route so the scenery changes from year to year. The beach is predominantly sand with numerous groynes that present frequent obstacles to get past - sometimes decaying steps assist getting over the groynes and sometimes, at low tide or with boots and socks off, it is possible to get around the end of some of the groynes. Mostly, it involves clambering as best as you can over these eroded, seaweed covered, mussel encrusted defences but that is half the fun of it! Although there is a cliff top path from Cromer to Overstrand, which has some outstanding views, beyond this there is no official right of way and a full circular walk would involve heading inland, using the Paston Way. However, a frequent bus service links Overstrand and Mundesley to make a good and easy days coast walking.

The Aftermath of the 2013 Storm Surge - Cromer and Sheringham

Damaged Beach huts

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.

Wednesday 18 December 2019

Paston Way to Gunton - Pubs, Churches and Wartime Conspiracies

Northrepps from the lane to Overstrand

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!

Saturday 29 December 2018

Mundesley to Happisburgh Circular Walk

Coastline from Mundesley to Happisburgh

A 13 mile walk between the Norfolk coastal villages of Mundesley and Happisburgh

This walk comprises of a circular route taking in both the beach and the cliff-top paths between the two Norfolk coastal villages of Mundesley and Happisburgh. The centre of this walk is at Walcott where the cliffs recede and access to the beach is obtainable. This enables the walker to customise this route according to tidal conditions as both Happisburgh and Bacton beaches can be cut off by high tides.

Tuesday 29 July 2014

Norfolk Coast Path Extension

Coastline from Mundesley to Happisburgh

A 21 mile extension has recently been completed to the Norfolk Coast Path taking it through to Sea Palling

As part of the English Coast Path project, the Norfolk Coast path has now been extended to Sea Palling with waymarkers and direction signs being added during the first half of July. This includes a redirected section between Beeston and Cromer that now follows the coast rather than its original route which headed inland through the hills above Cromer.

Sunday 8 December 2013

2013 Storm Surge at Sizewell and Thorpeness

The strange egg-shaped object on the left is most likely a piece of fallen cliff

A walk at high tide of the 2013 Storm Surge between Sizewell and Thorpeness

This is a photographic excursion of the 2013 Storm Surge down the Suffolk Coast. With media firmly concentrated on events in South Africa the only real way to find out was happening was to visit this destructive storm surge oneself. Although this part of Suffolk was relatively unscathed it still presented awe-inspiring seas and crashing waves.

Sunday 23 October 2011

Completion of The Woodfordes Ale Trail 2011

The Woodfordes Ale Trail ended on 30th September and it was time to total up our stamps and collect our prizes. To recollect the rules, one has to visit Woodfordes outlets that are contained in their 2011 guide and on purchasing a pint of Woodfordes ale the publican will add an entry to the Trail Card with a unique stamp. There is only one stamp allowed for each venue and the trail only runs from June to the end of September. There is a different prize for collecting multiples of 10 stamps with the top prize being a polypin of ale for 60 stamps. In 2009 we managed to fill 2 Trail Cards and had started a third giving us a bounty of 2 polypins and a Nelsons Revenge t-shirt. This year we were not as successful due to being away from the area for a few weeks over the summer months. The end result was that we only completed half of the card. Nonetheless, this was thirty stamps collected which was rewarded with a mighty fine Woodfordes Hoody worth £25 as modelled by Kat in the photo above, an item that will most certainly keep us warm on our camping and walking expeditions

Wednesday 7 September 2011

Ale Trail - Mundesley to Cromer

Cromer

A beach walk along the Norfolk Coast between Mundesley and Cromer including a clifftop stroll from Cromer to Overstrand.

This section of the Norfolk Coast can only be walked when the tide allows as high tide reaches the foot of the cliffs and is impassable at Overstrand. There is frequent erosion all along the route so the scenery changes from year to year. The beach is predominantly sand with numerous groynes that present frequent obstacles to get past - sometimes decaying steps assist getting over the groynes and sometimes, at low tide or with boots and socks off, it is possible to get around the end of some of the groynes. Mostly, it involves clambering as best as you can over these eroded, seaweed covered, mussel encrusted defences but that is half the fun of it! Although there is a cliff top path from Cromer to Overstrand, which has some outstanding views, beyond this there is no official right of way and a full circular walk would involve heading inland, using the Paston Way. However, a frequent bus service links Overstrand and Mundesley to make a good and easy days coast walking.

Saturday 17 July 2010

The Paston Way


The Paston Way is a 20 miles Norfolk footpath linking North Walsham and Cromer. The path takes its name from the Paston Family who, during the Medieval and Tudor periods, were the dominant and wealthy landowners in which much of the trail passes. The Paston Family in turn had taken their name after the north eastern coastal village of Paston. The route can be walked within a day and there is ample public transport connecting start and end of the route. The first time I walked this route I was so impressed that I walked it again the next year. It encompasses both coutryside and seaside and Cromer is a fitting end to the walk with plenty of refreshment houses to recuperate in.

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