Peddars Way & Norfolk Coast Path, UK – Classic Walks Itinerary

Peddars Way and The Norfolk Coast Path – Itinerary:

The red cliffs at Hunstanton

Britain’s Peddars Way and The Norfolk Coast Path Walk is a 146 km route that takes walkers across farmlands, through mixed village and countryside. The Norfolk coast is fresh and beguiling. A wonderful walking holiday.

The walk can be done in 6 days. In planning an itinerary, some of the considerations in determining the distance for each day should include the type of terrain, the accommodation, weather, time of year and how fit one is.

The following is an outline of the 6-day walk itinerary that we chose.  We decided on this itinerary because of the reasonable distances and the available accommodation.

Begin at: Thetford, Norfolk, UK.
How to get there: Trains or buses from London’s Kings Cross to Diss (B&B) or Thetford (about 2 hrs). Accommodation hosts can arrange local transfer to start of walk.

Walking Itinerary:

Day 1.  Knettishall Heath – Little Cressingham (23km)
Most of the route is relatively flat. The path traverses swathes of countryside.

Day 2.  Castle Acre (20km)
Along a quiet road, past hedgerows and farms. Then across fields and then to North Pickenham. From Great Palgrave we can make out the Norman tower of a church (St. James). Then through the hamlet of South Acre and across a ford, past the Castle Acre Priory and to Castle Acre itself.

Day 3.  Hunstanton (via Sandringham) (32km)
We caught a lift to Sandringham, the Royal family’s country estate in Norfolk. We walk past the ornate Norwich Gates and into the main building.  This is a worthwhile visit if you have the time. From Sandringham,
the quickest way to Hunstanton is via lanes and back roads. It’s quite enjoyable making your way across the countryside. We pass some interesting villages. Lots of partridges and grouse around.

Day 4.  Burnham Overy Staithe (24km)
Holme-next-the-Sea and runs past salt marsh, beach and cliffs of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). At Burnham Deepdale we check out the visitor centre. Then back to the sea dyke. It was a 5 km walk to Burnham Overy-Staithe. This is Nelson country, and we pass a hotel named The Hero. Burnham Overy-Staithe is a harbour town when the tide is high.

Day 5.  Blakeney (24km)
We next visit Holkham Hall, the country property of Edward, Seventh Earl of Leicester. And then on to Wells-next-the-Sea to be on time for the departure of the Wells to Walsingham train which runs on a narrow gauge railway. We visit the Shrine of Our Lady Church and the ruins of the monastery and abbey in the beautiful gardens. Train back to Wells-next-the-Sea and a 12 km walk to Blakeney.

Day 6.  Cromer (22.5km) – your destination!
Today to Sherrington, Roman Camp and then to Cromer, famous for its crabs and its pier.

How to get back from Cromer: Take the train to London’s Liverpool St Station (2 ½ hrs).

Our Take:

We particularly enjoyed walking along the breezy coast and visiting the old churches. The area around Nelson country is pleasantly quaint. Be prepared for rain and wind. If time allows, have a look at Holkham Hall.

See the Peddar’s Way and Norfolk Coast Path information for walkers here

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