Barton Turf walks

An easy walk following the River Ant down to the Bure at Horning.
The Norfolk Broads are full of ghostly stories and this walk brings a few to life. From the spooky lights of Hoards Hole, encounters with Black Shuck and the curious transformation of Horning's riverside houses to Saxon days when it was just a grassy bank, there is plenty to reflect upon as one wanders the footpaths and quiet country lanes that make up this route. And maybe, who may tell, given the right conditions, you may even glimpse a spectral view from another dimension.

River banks and quiet lanes taking in St. Benets Abbey on the way.

A walk that includes the unique character of the Norfolk Broads. The route does include some road walking but provides the opportunity to see one of the finest windmills in the area.

A linear walk between Wroxham and Norwich. Walk linking the Bittern Railway Line stations of Wroxham and Norwich. The route cuts across to Spixworth using tracks and country lanes from where there is pedestrian access through to the centre of Norwich. Spixworth has an interesting history of folklore which is discussed in the features of this walk.

Quiet Northern Broadland landscapes of one of the less known areas of the County.

An easy and captivating walk along Norfolks River Bure.
Not only does this walk provide some classic Norfolk scenery and historic features but it also traces the route said to be taken by the phantom carriage of Sir Thomas Boleyn in his annual act of penance for betraying his daughter Anne when she was sentenced to be executed. The walk is then made into a circular route by returning via the Bure Valley Path alongside the narrow gauge Bure Valley railway.

A stroll along the southern side of the River Bure to the ancient hamlet of Heggatt.
This short walk takes one through country lanes and along old tracks and footpaths on the southern side of the River Bure. Highlights include the ruins of Horstead Mill and views across the valley to Coltishall and Belaugh. Plus a walk would not be complete without a little piece of folklore, and this one is all about a prophesy centered around a tree on Heggatt Common.

A longer walk in the Norfolk Broads that includes a number of water features as well as some rural landscapes. The route is generally easy to follow and provides an insight into the many unique features of this watery landscape.

A beach walk between along the Norfolk coast from Happisburgh to Winterton.
Providing the tide is right, this is a fantastic beach walk with miles of golden sand and, if you are lucky, the sight of seals basking in the sunshine. Probably one of the best beach walks on this coastline.
⚠️ It must be stressed before reading any further that tide times need to be consulted before attempting this beach walk. Although there is easy access to the dunes throughout it must be noted that certain high tides can cover the beach up to the sea defences. Throughout the route there are alternative paths through the dunes and the tracks behind them.

A simple circular walk along the Norfolk Coast between Happisburgh and Eccles.
Happisburgh is curious - it is slowly being taken by the sea, its houses slowly falling victim to the tides. The pub gardens boast a signal box to a railway line that never got built. A lighthouse stands guard to the south and its lifeboat is located at the next village of Eccles. In recent times the tide has uncovered prehistoric human footprints. And there is local folklore of ghostly smugglers and misdeeds. Very curious indeed.
⚠️It must be stressed before reading any further that tide times need to be consulted before attempting the beach section of this walk. In particular the beach in front of Happisburgh where the tide can cut you off well before high tide.

A half day walk exploring the Norfolk Broads. The route stars in Acle and then follows the River Bure north past Clippesby Drainage Mill to the village of Upton. The return route crosses fields back to the start and offers a chance to visit the lovely round-towered church at Fishley.

A Norfolk Broads walk that explores the landscape between Fleggburgh and Stokesby. The route includes a number of features unique to this area, which despite its flatness is still full of interest.

A circular walk connecting the Norfolk town of North Walsham with Bacton Woods.
The Norfolk countryside holds a lot of hidden gems and this walk discovers a few. The route uses country lanes and footpaths to provide an easy circular ramble. The woods are worth the effort and hold a hidden secret of the location of a gibbet on which, during the late 18th century, William Suffolk's body was hanged in chains for his murderous deeds. The return route passes the iconic Ebridge Mill and then leads onto the Weavers Way for the final section back to North Walsham

A walk along Norfolk's Bure Valley Path between Aylsham and Wroxham.
The Bure Valley Path follows the former Great Eastern Railway trackbed alongside the Bure Valley Narrow Gauge Railway. There are outstanding views of the river Bure and stops on route at Brampton, Buxton and Coltishall. Being a former trackbed gives a well drained path so the route is suitable for all weathers.

A walk along Norfolk's Wherryman's Way. This is a delightful riverside walk following the River Yare out of Norwich and through to Rockland St Mary. Public transport can link the start and end by navigating down quiet country lanes to Thurton. Whitlingham Country Park provides an easy route to start and there's refreshment stops at Woods End and the Ferry Inn at Surlingham.

A simple walk alongside the River Wensum through Norwich.
This picturesque walk through the centre of Norwich links the Marriott's Way at Barn Road roundabout on the inner ring road with The Wherryman's Way and Boudicca Way at Norwich Railway Station. There is a lot of history to the bridges over the River Wensom and associated folklore which is detailed in the features to this walk.

A walk along Norfolk's Tas Valley Way. Probably one of the least known long-distance paths in Norfolk, the Tas Valley Way links Norwich and Attleborough following the River Tas. This first section navigates through to Mulbarton, then onto Flordon before going off route to Tasburgh where there is a pub and public transport back to Norwich.

A walk linking Norwich and Wymondham. Kett's Oak is a tree that folklore states was the meeting place for what was to become Kett's Rebellion in the year of 1549. The ageing tree still stands forlorn by the roadside, passed by 1000's of motorists each day, no doubt most of whom are oblivious to this piece of roadside history. This walk seeks to pay homage to Robert Kett by returning to his tree, and researching into the whys and wherefores of the infamous rebellion which followed.

A walk roughly following Norfolk's Boudicca Way. This walk uses the Boudicca Way to navigate from Norwich to Shotesham, with an excursion away from the official route to the ruins of the Roman town Venta Icenorum. Shotesham forms the furthermost reaches of the Boudicca Way on this route, from where country lanes cuts across the country to the A140 where there is a frequent bus service back into Norwich.

A walk along Norfolks Wherrymans Way. The only way one can see the sights of the River Yare is to either sail the river or walk the Wherrymans Way. Even in a boat, one cannot get as good a view as the path along the heightened defence banks. This is stereotypical Norfolk in all its glory and although it is a lengthy section of walking, it is well worth the effort.

A walk along the Angles Way between Belton and Oulton Broad, crossing the border from Norfolk to Suffolk.

The Angles Way roughly follows the River Waveney down to Oulton Broad from Belton although there are very few locations where the river can be viewed. Most of the route is across fields, along country lanes and through little bits of woodland. It is a pleasant full afternoons walk with a couple of pubs en route for refreshment. The main place of interest is Somerleyton, named after a peace loving Viking, Sumarlithi, who arrived in the 10th century. It is now a sleepy little village, famed for being the home to Christopher Cockerell, the inventor of the hovercraft, but more renowned for its connection with Gradabor, a giant who once ransacked the area. Some say his ghost still returns to re-enact this destruction.

A walk along the Angles Way from its start at Great Yarmouth to Belton.
The Angles Ways journey begins with a walk along the banks of Breydon Water to Belton. Along this route can be seen the impressive remains of the Roman fort Gariannonum at Burgh Castle. This is a simple afternoon walk with a frequent bus service linking Great Yarmouth and Belton for the return journey. On this occasion, we walked the path in reverse having set up camp at Belton.

This short circular walk takes in the promenade, pier and town centre with the church of St Peter and St Paul at the end.

A 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.

A 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!

A walk between East Runton and Cromer searching out old folklore.
Using country lanes and tracks, this circular trail navigates around East Runton to visit the various locations in Runtons history and folklore. Woodhill House is the location of an unidentified skeleton found during road widening. Thains Lane has the village's old smithy. The old Windmill sets the scene for the emanation of ghostly lights that cross over to a copse. With a pub stop at Cromer and return via the redefined course of the Norfolk Coast Path, this makes for an excellent short walk on a spooky Autumn evening.