All You Need To Know About Planning A Walking Holiday In Norfolk

The county of Norfolk is home to numerous walking trails suitable for both short and long distance walking holidays. Two of the UK’s most rewarding walking holiday routes are the Peddars Way and the Norfolk Coastal Path, which are sometimes considered one single route. What follows is a practical guide to a walking holiday across these unique trails.

Photo by Elliott Brown

1. Peddars Way

Route description

Peddars Way stretches along 46 miles between Knettishall Heath and Holme-next-the-Sea, where it connects with the Norfolk Coastal Path. For the most part, Peddars Way follows an ancient Bronze Age route that later became a Roman road. The path runs past intermediate towns like Blackwater Carr, Little Cressingham, Castle Acre, Sedgeford, and Ringstead.

The main highlights of the Peddars Way include the extensive pine and oak forests near Blackwater Carr and the heathlands in the Breckland area, which are a prime location to spot the local bird species.

Peddars Way, Norfolk: Knettishall Heath by Michael Perryman

Practical information

The trailhead at Knettishall Heath can be reached from Harling Road train station. From there, trains connect the Peddars Way with Norwich, Cambridge, London, Manchester, Nottingham, Sheffield, and Liverpool. The northern trailhead at Holme-next-the-Sea is connected by bus with Sheringham and Kings Lynn, where onward train connections are plentiful.

Between Easter and the last week of September, the Brecks bus shuttles hikers between the main towns and villages along Peddars Way. The bus originates in Thetford (served by a rail line) and continues on to Knettishall before terminating at Swaffham. From this point and until the end of the path at Holmes, bus connections are limited.

Art on the Peddars Way is an interesting project that combines music, poetry, and sculpture with the outstanding natural beauty of the area. Some of the sculptures function as waymarkers.

Accommodation

There is a caravan park and campsite near River Thet, by Thorpe Woodlands. Alternatively, bed and breakfast and cottage accommodation are available at Castle Acre, Sedgeford, Thetford, and Swaffham. Some of the cottages offer amenities like wifi Internet, washing machine, TV, and microwave.

2. Norfolk Coastal Path

Route description

The Norfolk Coastal Path runs along 45 miles between the towns of Hunstanton and Cromer. Along the way, the route traverses some of eastern England’s most stunning coastal scenery, including areas that have been designated Areas of Outstanding National Beauty.

The trailheads are located at Cromer and Hunstanton, and intermediate towns include Holme-next-the-Sea, Titchwell, Brancaster, Burnham, Wells-next-the-Sea, Blakeney, Salthouse, Weybourne, Sheringham, and Beeston Regis.

Some interesting things to see while walking the Coastal Path include the Victorian architecture in Hunstanton, the salt marshes near Brancaster and Blakeney, the beaches and wildlife at the Holkham National Natural Reserve, and the Sheringham cliffs.

The sea cliffs at Hunstanton: Norfolk Coastal Path by Andrew Dunn

Practical information

The Coastal Path can be easily accessed by car or public transportation from two main towns: Norwich and in Kings Lynn. At Kings Lynn, trains link this Norfolk town with London and Cambridge. Those who prefer to start their walk on Norfolk’s Coastal Path at an intermediate point can take one of the hourly Coasthopper bus services, which depart from Kings Lynn train station and go all the way to Hunstanton, stopping at the main points of interest for walkers. Coasthopper buses also link Norwich with Cromer, Cromer with Wells-next-the-Sea, and Wells with Hunstanton.

There is an information centre in Sheringham, which can provide walkers with leaflets and local transportation and accommodation advice. The path is safe to walk on all-year-round, although it is important to keep in mind that the high season (which runs between April and September) brings an increased number of visitors and therefore it is wise to book accommodation in advance.

Written on behalf of Potters Leisure Resort – Holidays in Norfolk

Tags: bus connections, caravan park, county of norfolk, elliott brown, heathlands, holme next the sea, kings lynn, michael perryman, music poetry, norfolk coastal path, oak forests, peddars way, river thet, road train, roman road, route description, swaffham, train connections, walking holiday, walking holidays

Category: Nature, Nature