Norfolk Health, Heritage and Biodiversity Walks

Norfolk health, heritage and biodiversity walks

Griston Road Walks in and Thompson around the Watton area

Church Road

Norfolk County Council at your service Contents folk or W

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C o u n c y i it l – rs H ve e di Introduction page 2 alth io • Heritage • B Walk 1 Loch Neaton/Church Walk page 6 Walk 2 Watton Church/Town Green page 10 Walk 3 Watton/Merton page 14 Walk 4 Watton/Wayland Wood page 18 Walks 5 and 6 Ashill Church/ Ashill Panworth page 22 Walk 7 Caston/Stow Bedon page 28 Walks 8 and 9 Thompson’s College/Sparrow Hill page 32 Walk 10 Carbrooke page 40 Walk 11 Merton Sally’s Walk page 44 Walk 12 Great/Little Cressingham page 48 Project information page 52 Explore further page 53 Walks locations page 54 Useful contacts page 55

1 Introduction

elcome to a land of enormous skies and open spaces; quiet walks Why Walk? and peaceful lanes; rolling farmland and secretive woods and W These walks have been carefully selected to encourage exploration of your enchanting villages which surround the ancient bustling market town of local area on foot, making it easy for you to discover and enjoy the natural Watton; the heart of Wayland. and man-made heritage of Norfolk. Wayland is a place of mystery and legend. It is steeped in history with Exposure to nature simply makes us feel good. Nature is free therapy with much evidence of its past visible across the area. The name ‘Wayland’ no side effects. If there is blue sky, green vegetation and water in a scene, dates from the 11th Century and the time of William the Conqueror. It we like it even more. Contact with natural surroundings offers a restorative is thought to mean the ‘Dark Land’ or ‘Marshy Land’; perhaps a reference environment which allows us to relax, unwind and re-charge our batteries, to the then densely wooded nature of the area. Much of the forest has improving our happiness and reducing our stress levels. been cleared over the years and the wood used for construction leaving the land free for farming. This has left an open landscape studded with small Moderate physical activity such as a regular brisk walk in the fresh air is a patches of woodland which, combined with the gentle undulations of the simple and enjoyable way of keeping fit. To gain maximum benefit, aim countryside, facilitate the beautiful views that are so typical of the Brecks. to walk at a pace where your heart beats a little faster, your breathing becomes a little heavier and you feel a little warmer. Regular exercise can The parishes of Wayland are full of attractive features, interesting help to prevent major conditions, such as coronary heart disease, type II architecture, history and wildlife. Like the town, each village has something diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes, obesity, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, unique to offer as well as many paths and bridleways for walking and riding. bowel cancer and back pain. The Peddars Way National Trail runs through the Wayland area and links with the Great Eastern Pingo Trail with its many Ice Age pools. The walks in this booklet will help you uncover the beauty and diversity Getting around of Wayland. For details of public/community transport, contact Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or visit www.travelineeastanglia.co.uk.

Walking from Schools Some of these walk routes pass close to schools providing ideal opportunities for teachers, parents and children to enjoy walking, whether this be walking to and from school or after school. The walks could also provide the basis for outdoor educational opportunities such as local school trips and projects as well as providing an additional and enjoyable form of physical activity.

2 3 Walk information you find them and take any litter (including dog litter) home or use bins provided. Please take some time to read any advice that is given about the Information about the walks includes details such as the start point, area in which you are walking. distances, path surfaces, gradients and facilities available. The following symbols will help you to decide if the walk is suitable: Please note that dogs must be kept under close control on public rights of way and must not be allowed to stray from the line of the path. Start point The start of the walk with Ordnance Survey grid references and Postcode Stanford Military Training Area Parking Nearest parking; The land to the west of Peddars Way, as indicated on the route maps for not always the same as the walk start point Thompson Sparrow Hill (page 36) and Merton Sally’s Walk (page 47), Distance Distance of the walk forms part of Stanford Military Training Area. The area is used intensively Details Gentle gradient, 20% soft for military training, including live firing, and has been since World War II. Due to the risks associated with live firing and the presence of legacy munitions on site public access to the training area is strictly prohibited. Steps Toilets Warning signs are in place to highlight the boundary of the ranges. nearby Stile County Wildlife Sites Suitable for buggies/ Public house nearby wheelchairs... • County Wildlife Sites (CWS) are areas rich in wildlife – together with Café nearby Sites of Special Scientific Interest they represent the most important Cattle (or other farm The route could contain muddy/ habitats in the county. animals) could be grazing uneven sections and stout shoes • Many of these habitats and their associated species will be priorities in some meadows or boots are recommended under the UK and Norfolk Biodiversity Action Plans (BAP). These plans set out strategies for conserving our most vulnerable wildlife. If you have not exercised for a while, it is better to start with the shorter Visit www.norfolkbiodiversity.org for more information. routes before moving on to the more challenging walks. Tread lightly and safely Long Distance Paths Some of these walks incorporate sections of Some of the walks take you through or close to areas designated for the Peddars Way National Trail. To find out conserving or protecting vulnerable/rare species and habitats such as more visit www.nationaltrail.co.uk/peddarsway County Wildlife Sites and nature reserves. Some of the routes also pass through areas grazed by cattle, sheep or horses. Please respect the surroundings as you walk; stay on the designated footpaths, leave gates as 4 5 Walk Loch Neaton/ 1 Church Walk

Start point War Memorial (Memorial Way, Watton) the end of the loch. Alternatively, you could follow the rough paths Grid reference TF917006 • Postcode IP25 6BS around the loch for a closer view; watch out for raised tree roots. Parking Free parking on Thetford Road by the War Memorial/ 6. Leave the nature reserve via the green gates and turn right on to various town centre car parks Dereham Road again. Distance 1.8 miles 7. Retrace your steps back along Dereham Road and then turn left Details Minor gradients, 10% soft (Easy access option through the white gates on to Church Walk, a wide lime tree-lined avoids steps on pathway. At the end, turn right along Church Road past St Mary’s Loch Lane) Church. 8. Turn right at the T-junction and walk along Norwich Road to the traffic Walk instructions lights. Turn left on to Memorial Way to return to your start point beside the war memorial. Please note that walkers are asked to keep dogs on leads in the grounds of Loch Neaton. 1. Start at the war memorial and turn right on to Thetford Road towards the High Street. Turn left onto the High Street and after a short distance, cross at the zebra crossing, turning right into Middle Street. 2. Follow the road round to the right in front of the town hall and then turn left at the end. Almost immediately, turn right onto Dereham Road (one way street). 3. Turn left at the T-junction on to the A1075 Dereham Road. Follow the road for just under half a mile and then turn left on to Loch Lane. Buggies, wheelchairs and mobility scooters: enter at the green gate near the Sports Centre on Dereham Road. Follow the path left and then Loch Neaton  bear right around the loch on a wide gravel track to an open grassy area. This late nineteenth century pleasure ground was formerly the site of a Return to Dereham Road the way you came. Note that tracks around railway ballast pit created by the construction of the railways in the early the loch can be uneven and narrow. 1870s. At some time between 1883 and 1893 the pit was flooded and an ornamental lake was created. By 1907 a wind driven pump had been 4. Shortly after walking through the remains of the dismantled railway erected at the northern end of the site to pump spring water into the lake. bridge climb the steps on the left and go through the green gate to the In 1907 the site was presented to the town, a bandstand was constructed picnic area. and provision made for bowls and croquet. By the 1920s the emphasis 5. Follow the wide gravel track to the right of Loch Neaton, turning left in was changing from pleasure ground to sports usage. Please visit the front of the gates of the sports centre to walk on the raised path around website for more information: www.lochneaton.org.uk 6 7 Walk Loch Neaton/ 1 Church Walk

An easy-going figure of eight walk around picturesque Loch Neaton

and St Mary’s Church. Road Loch Lane Dereham

Loch Neaton

  Sports

Centre A1075 Dereham  Church Walk   St Mary’s Road This tree lined walk is also known as Walsingham Way. The western Church Walk Church end of the walk appears on a map of 1792. The footway was Middle Street Church allotted to the inhabitants of Watton, as a way to their church, by the Road enclosure commissioners in 1801. The avenue was bisected by the Thetford railway in the 1860s and a period of decline followed. The walk was Road P Norwich Road replanted with lime trees in 1903 resulting from proposals made in Start Memorial Way commemoration of the coronation of King Edward VII. Ornamental Watton iron gates dating from the 1830s War were given by Lord Walsingham Key Memorial and relocated from his Merton Walk 1 estate. The iron gate piers, Parking P Church embossed with ‘1902’ and 0 ½km ‘Walsingham’, survive, however © Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100019340 the gates have been removed. ¼mile

8 9 Walk Watton Church/ 2 Town Green

Start point War Memorial (Memorial Way, Watton)  Nissen Huts Grid reference TF917006 • Postcode IP25 6BS Look to your left as you walk along Town Green Road; there are some Parking Free parking on Thetford Road by the War Memorial/ old Nissen huts that are being quietly reclaimed by nature. A Nissen various town centre car parks hut, named so after its designer Colonel Nissen is a pre-fabricated steel structure made from a semi-cylindrical skin of corrugated steel. The Distance 2.2 miles Nissen hut was first produced in 1915 and was used extensively during Details Minor gradients, 100% firm both World Wars. The huts in Watton were erected during World War Two and relate to the airfield which lies to the east of the town. The site is one of several World War Two military sites on Town Green Road that are Walk instructions visible on RAF aerial photographs taken in 1946. 1. Starting at the war memorial, turn left A tangle of wild plants now dominates the military remains. Ivy and on to Memorial Way. At the traffic brambles scramble over the ruins, whilst scrubby hedgerow species such as light junction cross to Cadman Way. hazel and elder provide a great habitat for many birds and insects. Cross to walk along the right hand side of the road, pass Kittle Close and then turn right on to Church Walk via the white gates. 2. Continue ahead at the end on to Church Road. Pass St Mary’s Church which will be on your right and follow this quiet country lane to the end (note •Peacock butterfly Church Road becomes Town Green Road). 3. Turn right at the T-junction to Watton Green and follow the road around the corner to the end. 4. Cross Norwich Road on to the cycle way opposite (there is a safe crossing point a little to the left). 5. At the end of the cycle way turn right on to Griston Road and walk all the way to the end. Turn left at the T-junction on to Norwich Road. 6. Turn left at the traffic lights on to Memorial Way and return to your start point by the war memorial.

10 11 Walk Watton Church/ St Mary’s Church  2 Town Green This church has a Norman round tower of 13th century date, although the top of the tower is a later addition. The core of the church is of this On this walk you will see nature quietly reclaiming some date, with the chancel and south arcade being in the Early English style. However, the north arcade is in the later Perpendicular style. The church of Watton’s old military remains; creating a new use for was altered in the 15th century and the exterior reclad in the late 19th structures that once sheltered troops during the war. century. Inside, there are screens dating to 1852 and a wooden poor box in the form of a stiffly standing parson which dates to 1639. The churchyard is a regionally important example of an ornamental churchyard.

Church Road Town Green Road St Mary’s Church

•Blackthorn Church Walk Cadman Watton Green Way  Norwich Road P Memorial Start Way Watton War Memorial

•Iron gate pier, Key Griston Road Church Walk Walk 2 Parking P Church 0 ½km

12 13 Walk Watton/ 3 Merton

Start point War Memorial (Memorial Way, Watton) 6. Turn right at the T-junction on to Brandon Road. Continue ahead over Grid reference TF917006 • Postcode IP25 6BS the roundabout onto the High Street. Walk all the way along the High Street and then just before you reach the traffic light junction, turn right Parking Free parking on Thetford Road by the War Memorial/ on to Thetford Road and walk back to your start point beside the war various town centre car parks memorial. Distance 3.7 miles (or shorter walk 2.7 miles) Details Minor gradients, long walk 25% soft, short walk 30% soft  The Clock Tower The clock tower is narrow with three storeys and is thought to have been Walk instructions erected after the great fire of 1674 which destroyed many of Watton’s buildings. 1. Starting at the war memorial, bear right along Merton Road. Pass all The clock itself dates to 1827 and is set the houses and the High School and follow Merton Road out in to the below the lintel of a medieval cross and countryside. above a shield depicting a hare and barrel. 2. For the longer walk stay on Merton Road until reaching Merton Additionally, wooden spandrels in the Green. Turn first right before the village shelter on to Tottington clock tower may have come from another Terrace and then bear right at the T-junction on to The Green leading medieval market cross. The tower is to Home Farm Lane. topped with a cupola in which a bell was 3. Follow the road past Merton Village Hall to the junction and turn right; placed, supposedly to warn inhabitants if the hard surface gives way to a farm track. Follow the restricted byway fire broke out again. It is thought to have to the end (now follow instruction 5 below). been re-faced in the 19th century. 4. For the short walk (continued from instruction 1): approximately The Cupola is mounted by a weathervane 500 yards after passing the last of the houses on Merton Road, turn dating to 1820, also in the form of a hare right on to the public footpath opposite the wood (Rabbit Plantation). and a barrel. Virtually all the visible façade Follow the path around the edge of the field, keeping the hedge on is of latter date. your right. At the end, turn right to cross a footbridge (now follow instruction 5 below). Flints  An abundance of flint in 5. Cross the footbridge over the stream and bear left along the track nearby fields indicates called Long Bridle Road. After approximately a third of a mile, look that buildings such as out for a row of houses on your right. Turn right on to the hard these cottages will have surface path leading into the housing estate; then bear left on to Stokes been constructed using Avenue. Pass Bridle Road on your right and keep walking to the end of local materials. Stokes Avenue. 14 15 Walk Watton/ 3 Merton

A great example of the close links between rural High Street Wayland and the bustling town of Watton. You can P Brandon Road Start walk to the pretty village of Merton from the town Stokes  Avenue Watton and it’s an ideal length to fit in with everyday life. War Memorial Ancient Trees Road (track)Long Bridle There are a few ancient oak trees on Merton Road near Merton Road the school. Ancient trees support life forms that can live nowhere else. They are full of nooks and crannies, holes and dead and rotting wood. As the years go by they provide perfect homes for thousands of species of plants, animals and fungi, including many rare and threatened species. Clusters of ancient trees are even more important because together all the trees will offer a really wide range of niche homes for lots of different (County specialist species in just one small area (Woodland Merton Wildlife Site) Trust, 2011). See www.woodlandtrust.org.uk for Common more information. Rabbit Farmland hedgerows also provide Plantation valuable habitats for wildlife. Visit www.norfolkbiodiversity.org for information on the Biodiversity Home Farm Key Action Plan for hedgerows. Lane Walk 3 Village •Lords and ladies Hall Short cut (or cuckoo pint) Parking P growing in the 0 ½km hedge and Merton in flower. ¼mile

16 17 Walk Watton/ 4 Wayland Wood

Start point War Memorial (Memorial Way, Watton) 6. Follow the path straight on (don’t follow the public footpath to your Grid reference TF917006 • Postcode IP25 6BS right). Pass a pond and go through/round a gate before heading straight on over a small earth bank. Parking Free parking on Thetford Road by the War Memorial/ various town centre car parks 7. Follow the path until Distance 3.5 miles it opens out to a Details Minor gradients, 75% soft main track. Here you will see some Norfolk Wildlife Trust waymarker Walk instructions posts. Follow the Please note: to prevent disturbance to wildlife, dogs are not allowed Norfolk Wildlife Trust within Wayland Wood Nature Reserve. waymarked circular trail through the 1. Starting at the war memorial, turn left along Memorial Way to the traffic wood, ignoring all light junction and then turn right on to Norwich Road. paths leading off the

2. Just after the right turn to the industrial estate, turn right on to Griston main wide grassy path. Trust Photograph © David North, Norfolk Wildlife Road. After approximately a quarter of a mile, turn right on to Field Please note: there is an information panel by the car parking area. Maple Road. Bear right into Whitebeam Crescent and then bear left 8. Eventually you should come back to the point at which you joined the around the green. circular trail and you can retrace your steps back out of the wood, over 3. Follow Whitebeam Crescent to the end and then leave the housing the earth bank, through/round the metal gate and then through the estate, turning right on to a path behind the houses and around the kissing gate. outer boundary of a field which will be on your left. 9. Cross the track and go through the hedgeline in front of you. Retrace 4. At the fenceline, turn left to follow the direction of the public footpath your steps back across the field. Go through the hedge with the across the field to the opposite hedge. Go through the gap in the waymarker post and then turn left along the footpath cross-field. hedge beside the waymark post and continue in the same direction 10. Go through the hedgeline at the waymarker post and turn right to across a second field, heading for the corner of Wayland Wood. follow this footpath past some houses to the road. 5. As you approach the hedgeline, follow the path through the field 11. Turn left, crossing Abbey Road to head straight along Vicarage Walk. boundary. Go through the kissing gate to Wayland Wood in front Follow Vicarage Walk round to the right. Turn left onto Monkhams of you. Drive, then turn right at the T-junction on to Thetford Road. Continue along Thetford Road to return to your start point at the war memorial.

18 19 Walk Watton/ 4 Wayland Wood Norwich Road This walk takes you to the wonderful ancient Wayland P  Wood; thought to be the setting for Babes in the Wood, this Start Griston Road peaceful retreat is especially beautiful in spring with carpets War Watton Memorial of bluebells and other woodland flowers. Thetford Road

Norfolk Wildlife Trust Monkhams Vicarage Field Maple Drive Wayland Wood Nature Reserve Walk Road Wayland Wood is a wonderful ancient Whitebeam woodland of oak, ash, hazel and bird cherry. Abbey Crescent Road In spring you will find carpets of bluebells, bugle and wood anemones and may spot

rarer woodland flowers including early purple orchids and yellow archangel. At any time of   year you are likely to see both muntjac and roe deer. Birds to look and listen for include great spotted woodpecker, tawny owl, treecreeper, woodcock and sparrowhawk, plus in spring and summer many migrant warblers including blackcap, chiffchaff, willow warbler Wayland Wood and garden warbler. Some people believe A1075 (SSSI) this woodland is a direct descendent of the Follow original ‘wildwood’ which covered much waymarked of England many thousands of years ago. circular trail Key •Bugle (above) and Red Campion (left) Walk 4 Photographs © David North, Norfolk Wildlife Trust Parking P 0 ½km Babes in the Wood Legend has it that Wayland Wood is the place where two young children ¼mile died as a result of their wicked uncle’s plan to get his hands on their © Crown copyright and database rights inherited fortunes. 2011 Ordnance Survey 100019340 20 21 Walk Ashill 5 Church

Start point Community Centre (Hale Road, Ashill) Church of St Nicholas  Grid reference TF886048 • Postcode IP25 7BL This is an impressive late medieval church with a west tower, a nave Parking Community Centre car park – free with just one aisle and a series of upper windows. The tower has an Distance 1.2 miles extraordinary main doorway formed with a flame-like ogee arch. Details Minor gradients, 55% soft (Village shop on Hale Road) Walk instructions 1. From the community centre, turn right along Hale Road. After approximately 200 yards and just before you reach Chapel Lane and the Methodist church, turn right on to a public footpath between the houses. 2. Follow the footpath right and then at the end, turn left on to a track. At the end of the track, cross the drain via a footbridge and turn left. Keep following the public footpath along the field edge as it turns right and then left. 3. At the end of the footpath, turn left on to Swaffham Road. Just after St Nicholas Church, continue straight on to Church Street. 4. At the end of Church Street, turn left on to Hale Road. Follow Hale Road back through the village to the Community Centre on your left.

The church is built in a mixture of styles including Early English, suggesting that the parishioners of Ashill felt wealthy enough to continually rebuild sections of their church. The nave roof is dated 1618. The church was restored in the 19th century.

22 23 Walk Walk Ashill Church/ •Hawthorn 5 6 Ashill Panworth berries

Fascinating walks which include the deserted medieval settlement of Panworth and the impressive Church of Ashill St Nicholas. There are some wonderful views across Common Breckland farmland. Community Centre Ashill Common Dunnetts Close Panworth Look out for skylark and linnet Walk 5 Hall across this open grassy area. Start P  Panworth Willow warblers have been found Walk 6 Cottages to breed here. Hawthorn found in Start the Devil’s Dyke is ideal for small mammals, birds, insects and other  Goose Green Green Short cut invertebrates to nest, roost or Farm hibernate in. It supports many The Green insect species such as shield Ashill

bugs, earwigs, bumblebees, Hale Road cockchafers, etc. These in Panworth Hall Farm Cottages turn are eaten by predatory insects such as the violet St Nicholas ground beetle or harvestman Church Church spider, as well as small birds Street Swaffham such as the wren or blue tit. Road The bright red berries in the Key autumn (pictured) provide essential autumn feeding for Walk 5 blackbirds and thrushes, finches Walk 6 and yellow hammers along with Short cut winter visitors such as redwing Parking P Church and fieldfares. © Crown copyright and database rights 0 ½km 2011 Ordnance Survey 100019340 ¼mile

24 25 Walk Ashill 6 Panworth

Start point Community Centre (Hale Road, Ashill) 9. Keep walking straight on to The Green. Pass the playing field (Goose Grid reference TF886048 • Postcode IP25 7BL Green) on your right. Parking Community Centre car park – free 10. Turn right on to Hale Road and continue until you arrive back at the Distance 2.2 miles or short walk 1.4 miles community centre on your left. Details Minor gradients, 50% soft (Village shop Deserted medieval settlement of Panworth on Hale Road) The route takes you through the site of the medieval deserted settlement of Panworth, mentioned in the Domesday Book, but which does not Walk instructions appear on a map of 1581. The earthworks of the former manor, moat and 1. Starting at the Community Centre, cross over Hale Road to Dunnetts houses are visible on the ground. Part of the moat appears to have been Close opposite. Walk along Dunnetts Close for almost half a mile. made out of the Panworth Ditch. The field crossed diagonally by the public footpath is protected by Scheduled Monument status. 2. Turn right on to a public footpath along the drive to Panworth Hall. 3. Follow the drive left at Panworth Cottages and then immediately after Panworth Ditch/Devil’s Dyke passing the cottages turn right, climbing a stile, onto a public footpath. The Panworth Ditch or Devil’s Dyke is one of only four similar linear earthworks in western Norfolk. The surviving section is a Scheduled See map for short walk: After climbing the stile, do not cross the field Monument, about 300m long and comprises a ditch and bank. Its date is diagonally but instead, follow the hedge on your right and then bear right uncertain, although it could be Iron Age or Early Anglo-Saxon. The existing over to another stile. Follow the public footpath and turn right onto a gap in the earthwork is original and may have been where a Roman grassy track. Now follow instruction no. 8 below. road crossed. If Early Anglo-Saxon, it probably served as a tribal or estate 4. Walk diagonally across this field to the far left hand corner. Turn right on boundary or allowed travel and the transport of goods to be controlled and to the lane. tolls to be levied. 5. At Panworth Hall Farm Cottages, turn right, still following the public footpath (this is a wide farm track). 6. At the corner, continue to walk straight on following the grassy footpath along the field edge, keeping the hedge on your right. 7. At the end, cross the drain via the footbridge and turn right along a wide grassy field margin. Follow this until you reach Green Farm. 8. Follow the farm track straight on past the pond on your right and then bear left past the farm buildings.

26 27 Walk Caston/ 7 Stow Bedon

Start point Caston Village Green  Holy Cross Church Grid reference TF958975 • Postcode NR17 1DB The medieval period following Parking Caston Village Hall car park – free the Norman Conquest has left Distance 2.7 miles the parish with its oldest surviving (add approx 2/3 mile to distance if parking at village hall) building, Holy Cross Church. The oldest part of the church is Details Minor gradients, 100% firm the 13th century chancel, the west tower, nave and two storey Caston Village Hall coffee drop-in – every north porch (now a vestry) being Friday morning. Toilets available if using from the 14th and 15th centuries. village hall for refreshments. A very fine 17th century brass chandelier hangs in the chancel. Legend has it that it comes from Hampton Note: please park at rear of the village hall and avoid parking here Court and was given away by Charles I, eventually ending up in Caston in when the hall is busy and in use by other groups. You are welcome 1871. The building underwent restoration in the 19th century. to drop in to the village hall for tea or coffee on Friday mornings between 9:30am and 11:30am. St Botolph’s Church, Walk instructions Stow Bedon  Take some time to visit 1. From the village green, walk past Holy Cross Church on your left and St Botolph’s Church continue straight on along this road. Continue walking until you reach at Stow Bedon. It is a Stow Bedon. little off the route but 2. At the road junction in Stow Bedon, turn right along Mere Road. this pretty church in its 3. At the end, turn right and follow this road all the way back to the village picturesque setting is green in Caston. certainly worth seeing.

 Remains of the Caston village cross Great Breckles The remains of the medieval standing stone village Nearby Great Breckles was once a separate parish but is now cross is said to have been a stopping point for pilgrims incorporated into Stow Bedon although it still has its own church on their way to Walsingham Priory. The shaft of the (St Margaret’s). There was also a medieval settlement of Little Breckles cross was taken down in the 19th century but the which was mentioned as a separate town in Domesday. This village had three tiered circular base is still there. become abandoned by 1547, having had its church demolished during the reign of Edward III (1327-77).

28 29 Walk Caston/ P 7 Stow Bedon Village Hall Caston Key With particularly fantastic views across a vast agricultural Walk 7 landscape, this walk is extremely uplifting. Parking P Church Start 0 ½km

Stow Bedon Mere ¼mile Although this walk is entirely on quiet country roads, the route takes you beside a series of County Wildlife Sites in Stow Bedon. There are approximately 1,300 County Wildlife Sites in Norfolk supporting a wide range of biodiversity. Behind the trees to the south of Mere Road is Stow Bedon Mere, a large shallow lake with a deep silty bottom. The lake is surrounded by a mixture of wet woodland and fen species. The nationally scarce marsh fern grows both here and on Caston Common, another excellent wildlife-rich area comprising a mix of grassland, broad-leaved Mere Road high forest and coppice Stow along with a lake and Bedon several ponds. Please Stow Bedon note there is no public Mere access to the Stow Bedon County Wildlife Sites.

30 31 Walk Thompson’s 8 College

Start point The Chequers Inn (Griston Road, Thompson) The Chequers Inn  Grid reference TF922968 • Postcode IP24 1PX This Grade II Listed, thatched Inn has a mid 16th century core although Parking Chequers Inn car park – free the majority of the fabric dates to the 17th to 18th centuries. It is timber- Distance 2.5 miles framed with clay lump and brick infill and sits on a brick and flint plinth. Details Minor gradients, 30% soft Chantry College of St Martin, The Chequers Inn during Blessed Virgin Mary and All Saints opening hours, toilets available Around 1349, Sir Thomas and John de Shardelow founded the chantry if using pub for refreshments. college of St Martin, Blessed Virgin Mary and All Saints. The date of the rebuilding of the College building is a little vague since it is believed there Walk instructions may have been a small chantry of earlier date on the site which may 1. Starting at The Chequers Inn, turn left along Griston Road. Walk for have been altered or enlarged some time after the 1350 endowment. just over half a mile (ignoring the public footpath on your right) and The college was surrendered in April 1541 with the Dissolution of the then turn right on to a public bridleway (Drove Lane), immediately after Monasteries. The remains of this building survive as part of College passing the white railings. Farmhouse, although there were substantial alterations in the 17th to 19th centuries. 2. Follow the bridleway all the way to the end and then turn right Drove Lane on to Stow Bedon Road. Look to the right through the trees when 3. At the island, turn right. Stow walking along the Bedon Road becomes Church Drove Lane bridleway. Road. Follow the road as it Stunning highland cattle bends left and then right through graze the meadows the village. beside the stream in this 4. At the church, follow the road biodiversity-rich County left. At the end of Church Road, Wildlife Site, where plants bear right onto School Road. such as water mint, marsh- 5. At the crossroads, turn right on marigold, wild angelica, to Griston Road and walk back greater bird’s foot trefoil to The Chequers which will be and ragged robin flourish on your left. in the wet meadows.

32 33 Walk Thompson Common 8 nature reserve

Norfolk Wildlife Trust Thompson Common Nature Reserve Please note: dogs are allowed on leads along the pingo trail route but not elsewhere on this nature reserve due to livestock on site. This area is famous for its pingos – more than 300 shallow pools are found on the reserve and support a dazzling array of water plants. In spring and summer they are perfect spots to enjoy watching dragonflies and brightly coloured damselflies. Experts still argue about exactly how these ponds formed. However it is generally thought that they date back more than 10,000 years and were formed by the action of sub-surface ice which melted leaving shallow depressions. Today the nature reserve is a wonderful mix of Breckland habitats including grassland, fen, scrub and woodland and supporting a huge range of wildlife. More than 400 species of plants have been recorded including water violets, marsh pennywort, bogbean, marsh orchids, tormentil and agrimony. Birds to look for include kestrels, barn owls, grey partridges, woodcock, reed buntings, yellowhammers, bullfinches and linnets. You can follow the Great Eastern Pingo Trail through the reserve which leads to Thompson Water, a 6 hectare man-made lake originally designed for fishing by Thomas de Grey in 1854. Today it’s a great spot for water birds. Look for great crested grebes, gadwalls, tufted ducks and in summer, reed warblers. You may also spot otters here. When you walk on this reserve look out for the Konik ponies. Norfolk Wildlife Trust uses these small hardy ponies to graze the wet grasslands and open fens preventing too much scrub developing and shading out more diverse plant communities. You may also spot native breeds of sheep on the reserve. You can access the reserve from Butters Hall Lane.

34 35 Walk Walk Thompson’s College/ St Martin’s Church  The church belonged to the adjacent college 8 9 Sparrow Hill of canons which was a small community of priests. This explains the surviving stalls in the Two walks full of variety. Don’t miss visiting Thompson chancel with carved misericords. The building is mainly 14th century with an impressive west Common, a Norfolk Wildlife Trust Nature Reserve where tower. The aisleless nave has its original you will see the many Ice Age pingos clustered around the scissor-braced roof although it underwent restoration in Great Eastern Pingo Trail. 1974. The style of the chancel is firmly Decorated. There is much surviving woodwork of interest, as well as some fragmentary wall paintings from the 14th century.

Drove Lane Key Watton Road Walk 8 Short cut Merton War Griston Wood Memorial Road Walk 9 Sparrow Parking P Church Hill The Chequers 0 ½km Inn Walk 8 Start ¼mile Walk 9P Thompson Start Stow Bedon Mill  Road Road School Road Church Road Thompson Marlpit  Common Road Peddars Way Due to the risks associated Road with live firing and the Tottington presence of legacy munitions Tottington Road on site, public access to Beware of live firing! Stanford Military Training Area The land to the west of Peddars Way is strictly prohibited. Warning (shaded on the map) forms part of signs are in place to highlight the boundary of the ranges. Stanford Military © Crown copyright and database rights Stanford Military Training Area. Training Area 2011 Ordnance Survey 100019340 36 37 Walk Sparrow 9 Hill

Start point The Chequers Inn (Griston Road, Thompson) Breckland Farmland Grid reference TF922968 • Postcode IP24 1PX Many of the walks in the Parking Chequers Inn car park – free Watton area pass through Distance 3.3 miles a predominately large scale arable landscape with Details Minor gradients, 15% soft long, open views which The Chequers Inn during provide a valuable habitat opening hours, toilets available for farmland birds. With if using pub for refreshments. rare birds such as the stone curlew nesting in cultivated Walk instructions land which has plenty of Please see important note on page 5. bare ground and very short vegetation, much of the 1. Starting at The Chequers Inn, turn right on to Griston Road. At the area is under National and crossroads, walk straight on to Tottington Road. European protection. 2. Walk past Hallfield Road and then at the junction with Marlpit Road, Some of Breckland’s bear left, heading straight on along Tottington Road. Follow the road as farmland is designated Site it bends right. of Special Scientific Interest 3. At the end of Tottington Road, turn right along the Peddars Way which (SSSI) characterised by its follows the edge of the Stanford Training area. climate and soils. Situated 4. When you reach the road, turn right. This is Sparrow Hill. Walk all the in the driest region in Britain way to the end of Sparrow Hill. it is subject to great extremes of temperature and the soil is a complex mix of free draining chalk, sand, silt, clay and flints. Some Breckland farmland 5. At the junction (where you will see the war memorial), turn right along is also designated a Special Protection Area (SPA). SPAs are designed Watton Road. to protect internationally rare breeding birds (in this case, stone curlew, 6. At the crossroads, turn left along Mill Road and then at the next nightjar and woodlark) and form a European network of ‘Natura 2000’ crossroads, turn left on to Griston Road and make your way back to sites, designed to protect Europe’s most threatened wildlife. The Chequers Inn which will be on your left. This walk passes Merton Wood (County Wildlife Site), a traditionally managed coppiced woodland. Many of the oaks are over 150 years old and scattered amongst them are exotic curiosities such as the monkey puzzle tree and sequoia.

38 39 Walk Carbrooke 10

Start point Carbrooke Village Hall (Church Street) 7. At the water works, go under or around the gate and turn right on to a Grid reference TF949021 • Postcode IP25 6SW hard surface lane. Parking Carbrooke Village Hall car park – free 8. Turn left at Water House and then when you reach the road, bear left Distance 3.3 miles (effectively walking straight on). Details Minor gradients, 50% soft 9. At the road junction, turn left. Follow the road through Caudlesprings and continue on as it becomes Drury Lane. 10. At the end of the road, turn left on to Bridge Street using a raised Note: please park at the rear of the Village Hall to keep front access pavement on the right. Follow Bridge Street (which becomes Church and hall access areas clear. Street) back to the village hall on your left.

Walk instructions Church of St Peter and St Paul  1. Starting at the village hall, turn left on to Church Street and follow the A massive late medieval church with a tall west tower and aisled nave. It is road through the village (Church Street becomes Shipdham Road). all 15th century except for the chancel which is late 13th century and has 2. Turn left along a public footpath towards Fen Farm (you will see a large very elaborate Geometric tracery in its east window. It has a collection sign for ‘Fen Farm’ at this turning). of late 16th century armour and the oldest identifiable tombs in Norfolk - those of Matilda de Clare and her son - dating to the late 13th century. 3. Follow the track sharp left when you reach the farm buildings. 4. Bear right, continuing to follow the track through the trees and ignoring And then there was one… any paths to your left. Originally the Manor of Carbrooke was split in two, with two churches: Carbrooke Parva, where a 5. After almost three quarters of a mile, turn a sharp left at the junction of church was sited to the right of the bridge on tracks, still following the track through open fields. Ovington Road at Caudle Springs; and 6. At the corner, bear left, still following the track. Carbrooke Magna, where the Church still dominates the village. In about 1424 the Church at Carbrooke Parva had fallen down, but stone from the ruin was removed and used to extend the other church, thus making it the large church it is today. www.midnorfolktimes.com/

40 41 Walk Carbrooke 10

A peaceful and pretty route; you won’t miss the church with its extremely tall tower; stunning in the evening sunshine. The Preceptory of the Knights of St John The modern village of Carbrooke is now centred around the medieval site of the commandry or preceptory of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem (a military monastic order similar to the Knights Templar) that was established in 1193 and was in use Fen Farm until Henry VIII closed it down in 1540. In the 14th century the Commandery at Carbrooke was the largest in England.

The great crested newt Water Water The walk passes close to four County Wildlife Sites (none with House Works Shipdham public access). One of these is noted for a cluster of ponds Road supporting great crested newts, which are the largest European newt and are fully protected under European law. The male has a splendid orange belly with black spots and a dinosaur-like ridge Church along its back in the breeding season. It spends the spring and Street summer in ponds, but at other times inhabits damp terrestrial Start places such as wet grassland. The site is managed solely for nature Village P conservation by seasonal mowing and light grazing by sheep Hall resulting in a mosaic of species-rich grassland and fen-meadow. Visit www.norfolkbiodiversity.org and read the Species Action Plan Bridge for more information on the newt. Street Key Drury Lane Walk 10 Carbrooke Parking P Church 0 ½km Caudlesprings

¼mile

Start point Merton Village Hall (Home Farm Lane) 7. Follow Peddars Way all the way to Home Farm and Hawthorn Farm. Grid reference TF905989 • Postcode IP25 6QU Go through a gate and continue past the farm along Home Farm Lane. Parking Merton Village Hall car park – free 8. At the end of the track (where Peddars Way goes left), turn right on to Distance 4.2 miles the road (still Home Farm Lane). Walk for a quarter of a mile and then Details Minor gradients, 60% soft turn left in to the village hall.  St Peter’s Church This church has an attractive setting Walk instructions in the park of Merton Hall with the Please see important note on page 5. great house nearby (superb views from behind the church). The 1. Starting at the village hall, turn left on to the road. Walk along The west tower was built during the Green and past Tottington Terrace. Head straight on to Crow’s Lane. late 11th or early 12th century; 2. Take your first right on to a gravely lane where you see a public path some of it may date to before post. After a few yards, bear left on to Sally’s Walk. the Norman Conquest of 1066. 3. Follow the grassy path, continuing straight on along the edge of the The rest of the church dates to the 14th century, with later 15th and 16th field. You will see a belt of trees ahead. Bear left along the path as you century alterations. pass the trees on your right and continue through the wood. Merton Hall and Park 4. At the end of this woodland track, turn Merton Park is part of the estate of left on to an open track. You will see a the de Grey family, who have held view of the church through the trees. the Manor of Merton since the early Go past The Lodge on your left and fourteenth century. In 1780 William de walk through the gates straight ahead Grey was ennobled, becoming the first of you to the road. Baron Walsingham. Merton Hall was built of red brick in 5. Turn right along the road. Walk for 1613, with a wing and extra rooms just under half a mile and then turn added during the 1830s and 1840s. All but the 1840s wing was destroyed right on Sparrow Hill (you will see a by fire in 1956. There is a surviving 17th century red brick Jacobean style war memorial at this junction). gatehouse to the east of the Hall. The landscape park was established 6. Walk for just over three quarters by the early 18th century and was expanded during the late 18th century of a mile and then turn right along when woodland and an ornamental nursery were established. The great Peddars Way. pond is one of several late 18th and 19th century additions to the park.

44 45 Walk Merton Key 11 Sally’s Walk Walk 11 Parking P Church Visit the church and you will find a stunning view of Merton 0 ½km Home Farm ¼mile Hall with its great pond; a lovely spot to enjoy a quiet Lane moment before enjoying the rest of this pretty route. P Village Start The Squares Hall  ‘The Squares’ is a County Wildlife Site; an area of broad-leaved plantation Hawthorn Merton Farm situated between Merton village and Merton Hall. The wood is old Crow’s Lane parkland type woodland, visually attractive with a mixture of tree species Home Farm such as oak, silver birch, sweet Home Farm Lane chestnut and beech. There are Sally’s Walk some large old trees with spreading boughs. Sally’s Walk runs north to The The Lodge south through the wood. Squares Merton Wood Merton Wood is another County Wildlife Site. Look out for bluebells as you pass; they are abundant across much of the woodland here in spring. You may also spot oak trees over 150 years old at the eastern end of the site.  Ancient trees Merton Wood War This horse chestnut in flower is just Memorial Due to the risks associated one of several ancient trees growing Peddars Way Sparrow Watton Road with live firing and the beside the road on the edge of Hill presence of legacy munitions Merton Wood. on site, public access to Stanford Military Training Area Beware of live firing! The land to the west of Peddars Way is strictly prohibited. Warning Stanford Military signs are in place to highlight (shaded on the map) forms part of Training Area the boundary of the ranges. Stanford Military Training Area. © Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100019340

46 47 Walk Great/Little 12 Cressingham

Start point Great Cressingham village sign (St Michael’s Crescent) 6. When you reach the road, turn right and follow the road back to Grid reference TF851017 • Postcode IP25 6NH Great Cressingham. Parking The Olde Windmill Inn car park – free 7. If parked at the Windmill, walk straight on past The Street and back Distance 5.1 miles to the pub on your right. If you started in the village, turn right on to Details Gentle gradients, 20% soft The Street and make your way back to your starting point. 100% hard avoiding Green Lane  St Andrew’s Church, Little Cressingham 

Originally a large 14th century church, St Andrew’s is partly ruined. The Olde Windmill Inn, Water End The building contains Norman fragments although it is mostly in Decorated (just over ¼ mile from south-west end of The Street. Toilets available style. It was repaired and restored in the 18th and 19th century. A storm if using the pub for refreshments. in 1781 brought down the tower and damaged half the nave but it was restored with a brick wall separating it from the ruined tower. In 1990 the Walk instructions tower, still ruined, was secured with help from the Norfolk Churches Trust. If you have parked at the Windmill Inn, turn left on to the road and  St Michael’s Church, Great Cressingham walk for just over a quarter of a mile. Turn left on to The Street and A medieval parish church dating from the 13th century, with extensive walk for a little over 350 yards to St Michael’s Crescent. 15th century alterations. The church contains 13th century wall arcading, a 14th century piscina and late medieval poppy head bench ends. 1. From St Michael’s Crescent (by the church), walk straight on along Priory Drove, passing the church which will be on your right. Priory In 1086 Great Cressingham was almost entirely Drove becomes Priory Road. in the hands of the Bishop of Thetford, before passing to Norwich Cathedral Priory who held 2. At the end of the road, turn right to follow the Peddars Way along a land in the parish until the Dissolution. Manor quiet road. Farm, once known as Priory Farm, was thought 3. At the crossroads, walk straight on, still following the Peddars Way to be the site of a monastic manor. In fact, towards Little Cressingham. there was never a religious foundation on the 4. At the end of the road, when you reach Little Cressingham, turn right site, and although the manor has been linked to on to Fairstead Lane. You will walk past the disused mill. the Priory of Norwich, the double moated site is thought to be that of Risley's Manor, recorded 5. After approximately 500 yards, bear right off the road onto Green Lane from the 15th century. In the mid 16th century (track). At the T-junction, turn left. the house was acquired by the Jenny family who built an elaborate and Buggies, wheelchairs and mobility scooters: continue following substantial courtyard house, only a small portion of which survives. Fairstead Lane and turn right at the T-junction. Manor Farm is surrounded by earthworks relating to the medieval village of Great Cressingham.

48 49 Walk Great/Little Key 12 Cressingham Walk 12 Parking P Church With breathtaking views, particularly across to 0 ½km

Peddars Way the mill at Little Cressingham, this walk will fill Priory Road ¼mile you with a sense of energy and inspiration.

Priory The Olde Drove Windmill Inn Wind and Watermill, P  The Little Cressingham  Street Start This combined wind and watermill is a unique type in Great Norfolk. It was built in 1821 and Cressingham lies on the site of an earlier watermill marked on Faden’s 1797 map. A waterwheel turned two pairs of stones on the first floor of the mill whilst the sails turned two pairs of stones on the fourth floor. There is a decorative pump house on the site built around 1806 that housed a Bramah pump Green Lane (track) and later two hydraulic rams which were used to raise water to Clermont Lodge. There is also a 19th century Miller’s House Fairstead adjacent to the mill. The Lane mill last worked by windpower in 1916 though it continued by Disused waterpower and an oil engine into Mill the 1950s. The site (excluding the mill house) is managed by the Norfolk Little Windmill Trust. Some restoration work Fairstead Cressingham Lane was carried out during the 1980s and 1990s. © Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100019340

50 51 Project information Explore further...

Acknowledgements Wayland Trails Many thanks to the following organisations for their support of the Health, The Wayland Word Journey contains four trails for visitors and local people to Heritage and Biodiversity Walks project, for their help in developing the walking explore by car, cycle or on foot, offering a challenge to find Wayland’s treasures. routes and their general input to the publication: The poetry and reflective thoughts in this attractive, colourful book have been Wayland Partnership; Watton Town Council; Breckland District Council; Active written by members of the local community who wanted to celebrate the Norfolk; Breckland and Brandon ‘Fit Together’ Walking for Health Scheme and distinctiveness of this quiet and lovely part of Norfolk. All trails start from the its volunteers; NHS Norfolk; local parish councils; local village hall committees; Dragonfly Visitor Centre at Wayland House on Watton High Street local landowners; local public houses; Norfolk Wildlife Trust (01953 880212). The book is priced at £3.00. The Watton Heritage Trail includes 20 places of particular interest. These Further information are listed and illustrated in the Heritage Trail brochure with a short background note about each one. You can pick up free copies of the brochure at Wayland Watton’s Tourist & Local Information Facility (Visitor Centre) is staffed House. Guided walks of the Heritage Trail can be arranged for small groups; wholly by volunteers and is located in the Dragonfly Gallery & Visitor contact the Visitor Centre for more information. Centre at the address below: The Peddars Way is an historic Roman Road dating back to 61AD. Starting at The Wayland Tourism Association: Knettishall Heath Country Park in Suffolk, the Peddars Way National Trail runs c/o Wayland House, High Street, Watton, Norfolk, IP25 6AR for 46 miles through the Brecks and on to the rolling open farmland of north- Tel: Administration 01953 884224 west Norfolk where it meets the Norfolk Coast Path. Telephone (when open): 01953 880212 The Great Eastern Pingo Trail is an 8-mile/12.9km circular (waymaked) walk We are open during the season: and includes parts of the Peddars Way, the old Thetford to Watton railway line 10am – 4pm Mon-Fri, 10am – 1pm Saturdays & Public Holidays and crosses Thompson Common Nature Reserve. There is an access for all trail situated at the main car park just off the A1075 Watton to Great Hockham Also by appointment: Please telephone: 01953 883915 (office hours) or Road in the former Stow Bedon station yard. The trail is 300m long and 884224 or email: [email protected] follows part of the old railway line with a firm and level surface. Visit the Countryside Access website for more information about the Great Eastern Pingo Trail. See ‘Useful contacts’ for more websites.

52 53 Walks locations Useful contacts

Active Norfolk Norfolk Countryside Access www.activenorfolk.org www.countrysideaccess.norfolk.gov.uk A47 Breckland District Council Norfolk County Council www.breckland.gov.uk www.norfolk.gov.uk B1077 Ashill A1075 Breckland Society Norfolk Heritage Explorer 6 www.brecsoc.org.uk www.heritage.norfolk.gov.uk 5 Carbrooke 10 Brecks Partnership Norfolk Online Access to Heritage Great/Little 1 B1108 Cressingham 12 2 www.brecks.org www.noah.norfolk.gov.uk 3 Watton English Heritage Norfolk Wildlife Trust B1108 4 11 B1077 www.english-heritage.org.uk www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk Merton 7 8 Caston Loch Neaton Traveline 0871 200 2233 Thompson 9 www.lochneaton.org.uk www.travelineeastanglia.co.uk A1065 National Trail Wayland Trails www.nationaltrail.co.uk www.wayland-tourism.org.uk/ A11 National Trust waylandtrails.htm A1075 www.nationaltrust.org.uk Wayland Walking and Cycling Natural England www.wayland-tourism.org.uk/ walkingcycling.htm © Crown copyright and database rights www.naturalengland.org.uk 2011 Ordnance Survey 100019340 NHS Norfolk Wayland Partnership www.norfolk-pct.nhs.uk Development Trust www.wayland.org.uk Norfolk Biodiversity Partnership Are you interested in walking with a group? www.norfolkbiodiversity.org Watton Town Council www.wattontowncouncil.gov.uk Walking for Health Norfolk Churches Trust The Breckland and Brandon Walking for Health Scheme delivers a series www.norfolkchurches.co.uk of led walks in the Watton area. Visit www.activenorfolk.org/fittogether/ or call 01603 732333 for more information and contact details.

54 55 Download You can download a copy of this booklet at www.countrysideaccess.norfolk.gov.uk/health-walks.aspx

Contact If you have any comments regarding these walks, whether good or not so good – tell us what you think! Write to: Norfolk County Council, County Hall, Martineau Lane, Norwich, Norfolk, NR1 2SG Email: [email protected] Phone: 01603 222769 • All information correct at time of going to press (July 2011) • Printed on recycled paper using vegetable based inks

Norfolk County Council at your service

G25473 7/11 CB 56 W olk a f l r k o s

y o t r i f s o r l k e v C i o d u io n B ty • C ge ou ta nc eri il – Health • H

oing for a walk in natural G surroundings is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to maintain good health, to relax, unwind and re-charge your batteries. This book has 12 walks of varying lengths, ideal to fit in with daily life. The locations have been chosen to help you enjoy and appreciate our Norfolk heritage, both natural and man-made, linking history to nature and health. Enjoy the walks!

Norfolk County Council at your service