{"id":39350,"date":"2024-08-07T17:56:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-07T15:56:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ec7827fc-6ee1-42cf-a044-712d647c0a42"},"modified":"2024-08-07T19:26:44","modified_gmt":"2024-08-07T17:26:44","slug":"best-walks-in-norfolk-how-to-explore-this-beautiful-county-on-foot","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbccountryfile\/rss_feed\/best-walks-in-norfolk-how-to-explore-this-beautiful-county-on-foot\/","title":{"rendered":"Best walks in Norfolk: how to explore this beautiful county on foot"},"content":{"rendered":"

Discover sandy shores, spectacular wildlife and classic seaside towns with our pick of the best walks in Norfolk. <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 07 August 2024 at 15:56 PM<\/p>

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Norfolk is the fifth largest county in England and contains the biggest lowland forest in Britain, along with vast broads, open pasture and wild shores.<\/strong><\/p>

Wildlife thrives in Norfolk<\/a>, particularly on the coast where grey seals rub shoulders with wading birds<\/a>, especially prevalent in the winter months. Look out too for otters<\/a>, spring and summer wildflowers<\/a> and swathes of autumn heather<\/a>.<\/p>

From easy, short walks to more challenging hikes, here is our pick of the best walking routes in Norfolk.<\/p>

Windmills are a quintessential feature of the Norfolk countryside\/Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Best walks in Norfolk<\/h2>
Holkham Beach<\/h3>
$\"Sunrise$
Sunrise on a misty morning at Holkham Bay on the North Norfolk Coast\/Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Take a hike through creaking pinewoods, beside wildlife-rich marshes and along one of Britain’s most beautiful beaches on the North Norfolk coast.<\/p>
Holkam map and walking route<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Cley Marshes<\/h3>
$\"A$
Cley next the Sea, with an historic windmill overlooking the salt marshes\/Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
After being acquired in 1926, Cley Marshes formed the blueprint for nature conservation across England. The result is a haven for some of the UK\u2019s most exciting bird species, including thousands of\u00a0 pink-footed and Brent geese<\/a>.<\/p>
An easy 3.5 mile circular route is the best way to observe them, with flat paths leading you through towering reed beds, saline lagoons and a classic Norfolk shingle beach.\u00a0<\/p>
Cley Marshes walk, Norfolk<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Waxham to Sea Palling<\/h3>
$\"A$
A calm dawn on the beach at the seaside town of Sea Palling\/Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Walk along the beach from Waxham to neighbouring Sea Palling, a classic little seaside village<\/a>, with ice creams, chips, amusement arcades and more. Enjoy a swim at the sandy horseshoe bay \u2013 which you will often share with seals \u2013 then return to Waxham via the Norfolk Coast Path, tucking yourself in next to the sand dunes.<\/p>
Waxham to Sea Palling map and walking route<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Lynford Arboretum<\/h3>
$\"Lynford$
Lynford Arboretum in spring\/Credit: Stephen McKay. Geograph<\/figcaption><\/figure>
With a patchwork of pines, broadleaved trees and sandy heathland, Thetford Forest is Britain\u2019s biggest lowland woodland.<\/p>
Lynford Arboretum, in the far north of the forest, is a tranquil woodland gem boasting brilliant birds, spring blooms, autumn fungi and an artisan cafe. This short, wheelchair-friendly walks explores the best bits of the arboretum.<\/p>
Lynford Arboretum map and walking route<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Brancaster Staithe<\/h3>
$\"Low$
Low tide at Brancaster Staithe harbour\/Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Skirt along saltmarsh, roam past an old Roman<\/a> Fort and ascend a glacial ridge for a stunning coastal vista on this 4.4-mile walk from Brancaster Staithe to Barrow Common in Norfolk.<\/p>
Brancaster Staithe map and walking route<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Sandringham<\/h3>
$\"Sandringham$
Sandringham has been associated with royal Christmases since Edward VII\u2019s reign\/Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Set in 24 hectares of delightful gardens and parkland in West Norfolk, Sandringham <\/a>has been a much-loved home of the royal family for the past three generations.<\/p>
10 spectacular royal palaces, castles and houses to visit<\/a><\/li>
The 10 most beautiful royal gardens in the UK<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Sandringham\u2019s Country Park is a popular place to visit, with facilities including a visitor centre, shop, restaurant, toilets and a large car park (fees apply). It\u2019s dog friendly, there\u2019s a children\u2019s play area, cycle trail and waymarked walks, too. Look out for beautifully carved wooden sculptures en route.<\/p>
Sandringham map and walking route<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
High Ash Farm<\/h3>
$\"Flowers$
Wildflowers growing at High Ash Farm\/Credit: High Ash Farm<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The starting point of this easy 3.4-mile walk is Venta Icenorum, a Roman town and disputed home of Queen Boudicca, famous leader of the Iceni. Within the High Ash Farm boundary you\u2019ll also find traces of a Saxon graveyard.<\/p>
Much of this walk follows a network of permissive paths across the farm. The upkeep of these paths (and the farm itself) are only made possible thanks to donations from the public.<\/p>
High Ash Farm map and walking route<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Cromer<\/h3>
$\"Cromer$
Dusk falls over Cromer Pier\/Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
A stunning 11-mile walk along the Norfolk coast<\/a>, starting and ending at the seaside resort of Cromer \u2013 marvel at yellow sea poppies, watch tractors pull fishing boats from the sea and dine on delicious dressed crab.<\/p>
View Cromer map and walking route<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Halvergate and Berney Marshes<\/h3>
$\"Halvergate$
Halvergate Marshes on a frosty winter’s day\/Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
This route takes you through rustling reed-bordered marsh tracks and along the flood banks of Breydon Water where wigeon, shelducks and Bewick\u2019s swans<\/a> winter. Explore this area with an eight-mile circular walk through Halvergate and Berney Marshes.<\/p>
View Halvergate and Berney Marshes map and walking route<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Horsey<\/h3>
$\"Horsey$
Sundown at Horsey Windpump\/Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Enjoy a moderate circular walk around the village of Horsey in the Norfolk Broads,<\/a> discovering marshland, wild coast and grey seals.<\/p>
Horsey map and walking route<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Great Eastern Pingo Trail<\/h3>
$\"Pingo,$
The Norfolk Ponds Project aims to restore these lost or damaged water features, also known as \u2018ghost ponds\u2019\/Credit: Fotolibra<\/figcaption><\/figure>
The British landscape is strewn with unusual-looking reminders of our ancient past. One such landform is the pingo, a small pond of surprising significance.<\/p>
Find out more about the Great Eastern Pingo Trail<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
St Benet\u2019s Abbey<\/h3>
$\"St$
St Benet’s Abbey sits on the River Bure\/Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Once the home of wealthy monks, a famous knight and an industrious farmer, this lonesome relic now stands empty, save for the occasional crow, owl<\/a> and wintertime wren.<\/p>
Find out more about Benet’s Abbey<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
Holme Dunes<\/h3>
$\"The$
Beach and dunes at Holme Dunes next to Holme-next-the-Sea\/Credit: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Take the Norfolk Coast Path<\/a> along the dunes<\/a> and out on to the beach. This expanse of sand is often empty in winter, save the bar-tailed godwits, oystercatchers and dunlin that stalk the peat-beds exposed at low tide. Watching birds is an excuse to loiter, focus, slow down.<\/p>
Find out more about Holme Dunes<\/a><\/li><\/ul> <\/body><\/html>\n
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Best walks in Norfolk<\/h2>