While North Norfolk gets all the attention, South Norfolk often flies under the radar. But with rolling fields of farmland cut through by gentle rivers and rural villages, the southern region of the county is overflowing with a largely undiscovered beauty.
New Buckenham to Old Buckenham Circular Walk
Castles, windmills and medieval villages are just a few features of a walk that showcases the best of South Norfolk’s gentle countryside.
This six mile circular route takes you from New Buckenham to Old Buckenham and back again, passing through farmland, a country park and churchyards - climbing stiles and strolling over bridges along the way.
If you start in New Buckenham, the walk begins with an ancient moated castle; the oldest circular stone keep in England. You can grab the key from the village store for a closer look, or peer through the gates for just a glimpse instead. The walk continues through New Buckenham’s zig-zag of streets - the unusual winding layout is a result of Norman planning, and one of the most faithful examples of a medieval market town.
Once you’ve had your fill of pretty side streets and Victorian pubs, head up through the peaceful countryside towards Old Buckenham. Swaying fields awaiting harvest and pathways lined with trees mark the route. While not as picturesque as its neighbour down the road, Old Buckenham has a lovely village green and a quaint rustic church - the All Saints church features an unusual thatched roof and a unique octagonal tower.
The route carries on past a two-hundred year old windmill, through patches of woodland and bypassing the pastures of Winter Paddocks Stud.
Towards the end of the walk, when New Buckenham once again comes into view, you will come across Old Buckenham Country Park. The park’s boardwalk cafe is the perfect place to kick back and relax with a hard-earned drink after a few hours walking.
Thetford Forest
Thetford Forest has dozens of walks and trails, all deserving of a spot of their own. The sprawling woodland has everything from short family-friendly strolls to challenging and lengthy hikes.
High Lodge, Thetford Forest’s popular recreation centre, has the most accessible routes, with trails suitable for people of all abilities. Families with young children will especially love the Gruffalo Spotters Trail, an interactive adventure all about discovering mystical creatures hiding in the woods - with a little help from the app, of course.
The educational Heritage Trail (2.6 miles) is wheelchair-friendly, and provides fascinating insight into the history of the landscape and the High Lodge project. Both the Pine and Nature Trails are only a mile long, while the Fir Trail ranges from 3 to 6 to 7.5 miles according to your preference. All the trails wind through the towering pine forest, with many intersected by large wooden play areas, ideal for a day out with the kids.
For something a little longer, start outside of the forest itself. There are plenty of different routes, but the Little Ouse Path from Thetford to Brandon is particularly scenic. The walk takes you along the riverside, through serene countryside and then the forest itself. Santon Downham is a pretty pitstop on this charming route.
Boudicca Way
Follow in the footsteps of East Anglia’s famous warrior queen Boudicca, as you trace the path once taken by the Queen of the Iceni as she journeyed towards Colchester, in her fateful rebellion against the Romans.
The 36 mile route loosely follows the old Roman Pye Road from Norwich to Diss, and stops at the ancient ruins of Venta Icenorum, a Roman town close to Caistor St Edmund. While a fantastic route for lovers of ancient history, Boudicca Way is also a memorable experience for those who enjoy peaceful countryside, picturesque villages and a bit of bird-spotting.
It’s a lengthy hike, and takes you through a number of South Norfolk’s prettiest villages; Pulham Market and Shotesham are particular highlights. With water mills, dense woodland and rambles through the Waveney Valley, Boudicca Way allows you to experience South Norfolk at its absolute best.
Harleston Circular Walk, Waveney Valley
Wander along the banks of the River Waveney in this scenic walk, passing through the quaint Harleston and Redenhall.
The Waveney Valley is known for its serene countryside, pretty towns and verdant scenery. The Harleston Circular Walk is a great introduction to the area, and really illustrates everything that makes this corner of Norfolk beautiful. Harleston is a historic market town with a number of local boutiques and art galleries, while the neighbouring village of Redenhall is a simple rural village - with an impressive historic church. The rest of the trail - and at 10 miles total, you’re only just getting started - winds around the surrounding countryside, following a meandering river all the way back to Harleston via the Angles Way.
The Pingo Trail
Trek through miles of breckland and along abandoned railway lines on the Pingo Trail.
The trail’s unusual name comes from the Pingo ponds dotted throughout the walk. Originating in the Ice Age, the ponds were once hills formed of ice and soil - they collapsed after the ice thawed, carving unique depressions in the earth which filled with water. Very few ponds of this kind remain in the world, making Norfolk’s Pingos ecologically important on an international scale.
You’ll see many of these unique ponds on the 8 mile trail, often surrounded by interesting plant life and colourful flowers like water violets. The woods and marshland make the perfect habitat for many species of wildlife. Thompson Water is especially rich in birdlife and waterfowl. Everything from horned cattle to dragonflies roam the area, making it an ideal walk for nature enthusiasts.
Though a bit longer than some of the walks on this list, the Pingo Trail is quite easy-going, and well signposted. The changes in landscape and habitat throughout the walk also make it one of the most varied.
Redgrave & Lopham Fen to Botesdale
Though technically in Suffolk, Redgrave & Lopham Fen rides the border with Norfolk - and it's too pretty to miss.
Lopham Fen, where you begin the walk, is one of the most important wetlands in Europe and the largest valley fen in England. It’s home to an incredibly rich variety of plants and wildlife, with some of Britain’s rarest species - including the fen raft spider, which was once near-extinct in the UK - spotted in the area. The reed-beds, heathland and the Little Ouse River help make this a quiet and relaxing space to unwind and recharge.
After circling the fen, if you fancy a longer walk head south towards the village of Botesdale. Unfortunately, while there is a footpath for most of the route, there are sections which require walking on a verge on the roadside. It takes roughly an hour to reach Botesdale, but once you arrive you are treated to the sloping rows of Georgian and Tudor housing that make up ‘The Street’. Pubs, antiques shops and boutique stores occupy pretty pastel houses in this scenic village, making it the perfect place to stop for a quick drink.
Once you finish exploring Botesdale, travel back up the path from where you came, taking the time to truly admire the area’s natural beauty.
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