BURE VALLEY PATH

Buxton with Lamas and Horstead spans the . These two villages also span the River Buxton was once the home of Thomas Bure. Coltishall became a thriving Cubitt, architect, who figured more commercial centre in the 16th to 19th prominently in 19th century London than centuries, with many malt houses and a any other builder. When he died he left a loading and unloading point for wherries million pounds! Anna Sewell, author of travelling on the River Bure between Black Beauty, visited her uncle here and Yarmouth and Aylsham. It had its own ship is buried at the Lamas Burial Ground for building yard in Anchor Street. However, Whistlestop Quakers. The records a the river trade declined after the coming Restaurant water mill in Buxton and the present of the railway line in 1879 and navigation impressively restored mill, following a beyond Coltishall became impossible when major fire in 1991, is easily visible from the the lock gates at Horstead were destroyed path. in the flood of 1912. Coltishall Common is as far as the navigable channel now reaches. The railway was originally built This large, attractive, open space is enjoyed by the East Railway in by many, especially in the summer months. 1877 which was taken over by the in 1882. As part of the national grouping of railways in 1923 the Map reproduced from the line became part of the LNER Brampton Station Ordnance Survey mapping and later to be nationalised Buxton Station with permission of the under British Railways in 1948. Controller of Her In 1952 the passenger service Majesty’s Stationery stopped, but freight service Office Crown Copyright. continued. Buxton Lamas closed Unauthorised reproduction for goods in 1964 and Aylsham infringes Crown Copyright and Coltishall in 1974. The Old Crown and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence No.100022319. Key NORTH 1:50,000 Station/Halt and visitor access Visitor access only Car parking (showing facility, not exact position) Coltishall Station

Aylsham Brampton Aylsham’s history dates Brampton is a pretty village with many Station back to pre-Norman old cottages and a typical round-towered times. In 1372 Edward Norfolk church. The parish includes the III bestowed on his quaint hamlet of Oxnead where the son, , remaining service wing of the once Hoveton and the town of Aylsham splendid Oxnead Hall stands on the banks Again, two villages that span the Bure. and, as a result, the of the Bure. The late 16th century Hall was Wroxham is often referred to as the locality assumed St.Michael’s Aylsham the home of the Paston family. ‘Capital’ of ; this is the most greater importance. John of Gaunt then popular and colourful boating centre, with set up his Court of the boatyards and moorings all along the river. for the whole of Norfolk and gave many The Norfolk Broads Yacht Club is based privileges to local townspeople. Dating from here and regattas are held throughout the this time is the Buttsland which was the Great and Little Hautbois season on the mile-long Wroxham Broad. parish archery ground. Aylsham became In area of charming countryside, Little Wroxham has also grown in popularity as a a major centre of linen manufacture and Hautbois, pronounced ‘Hobbiss’ locally, is place to live and retains its character with th by the 16 century the wool and worsted a tiny hamlet with a few small houses and a mix of old and new houses. Hoveton is a industries were also established. In 1792 the lovely Elizabethan Little Hautbois Hall, thriving commercial centre and links to the the River Bure was made navigable, but built in 1607. Great Hautbois comprises a National Express , which runs after a disastrous flood in 1912 the channel ruined church and a small group of houses between and on the became silted up to such an extent that the beside the picturesque Hautbois common. coast. town’s prosperity ceased. Today Aylsham is a bustling with a monthly farmers’ market and renowned weekly auction. The Market Place is dominated by the beautiful 14th century St Michael’s church, and surrounded by attractive 18th and 19th century properties. In the centre, the medieval street pattern remains fundamentally unchanged and it is said that a late 13th century traveller would not be lost today. This remarkable consistency of plan and spirit for 700 years provides a model of organic growth of a market town that is difficult to parallel in .

An excursion to Wroxham Barns The tranquil River Bure Buxton’s imposing mill Near Burgh-next-Aylsham ... take some time to explore along the route