A Hike along the Marriotts Way ~ Test Griff Walks

Sculpture that marks the start of the Marriotts Way at Norwich

A Hike along the Marriotts Way

A 22 mile walk along the length of the Marriotts Way from Aylsham to Norwich following the trackbed of the former Midland and Great Northern Railway.

The Marriotts Way is a footpath, bridleway and cycle route, which follows the routes of two disused railway lines, and runs between the historic market town of Aylsham and the medieval city of Norwich. Along with the mileage markers which are created from old rails complete with a metal rubbing plaque, there are numerous concrete sculptures, village markers, interactive sound boxes and benches which all provide added interest and information along the route.

Essential Information

Walk Statistics:

Start point: Norwich View in OS Map | View in Google Map

End Point: Aylsham View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Total Walk distance: 26.0 miles

Section Distance - Excluding Thermelthorpe Loop: 22.0 miles

Section Distance - Aylsham to Reepham: 6.0 miles

Section Distance - Whitwell to Drayton: 9.5 miles

Section Distance - Drayton to Norwich: 5.0 miles

Walk difficulty: Easy

Maps:

OS Map: OS Explorer Map Sheet 238 Dereham & Aylsham

OS Route Map: Full screen plot of route on an OS map

Google Route Map: Full screen plot of route on a Google map

Accommodation:

Woodhill Park Campsite
Website: http://www.woodhill-park.com/
Location: View in OS Map | View in Google Map
Woodhill Park Campsite, Runton

Transport:

bus Service
Operator: Sanders Coaches
Service Number: 44
Timetable: http://www.sanderscoaches.com/timetables/
Sanders Coaches Service 44 Sheringham to Norwich

Walk Data

Date of Walk: 2011-04-30
Start Time: 08:00:00.0Z
End time: 18:00:00.0Z
Walkers: Griffmonster, Kat
Weather Conditions: Blue skies, bright sunshine but a brisk cool easterly wind
Equipment: None

Walk Notes ToC

After some debate on whether to complete this walk in one or two days we finally decided to go the whole hog and walk the entire distance in a single day completing the route in reverse as indicated by the sculptured metal mileage markers that are positioned throughout the route. We did opt to miss out the Therelthorpe loop on account of the additional walking we would need to do before and after the trail but this had the advantage of a little change of scenery whilst walking through Reepham and left us with a simple circular walk for the future. Altogether I estimated that we would complete a distance of approximately 26 miles on the day incorporating walking from the centre of Aylsham, walking through Norwich to get the bus back to Cromer and walking to and from the camp site at Runton.

Having read about this trail I expected it to be well defined and I must admit this met all expectations. I was impressed with how the route had been maintained and the amount of walkers and cyclists who used it, particularly the section between Norwich and Reepham. With refreshment stops available at Reepham and just off route at Lenwade and Drayton, this trail provided a fulfilling days walk. If you want to prove to yourself your ability to walk this sort of distance during a day then I would recommend this as a good way of doing so.

Steam engine at Whitwell Station

Directions ToC

The path is so simple to follow that it is a case of navigating to Aylsham Station and the path continues along the old railway track by the side of the Tesco superstore. You cannot get lost on this!

Reepham to Whitwell missing out the Therelthorpe loop

From Reepham station, walk out of the station yard back to the road, turn right and follow the road through the town. At the crossroads continue straight ahead until you come to a school on the right. Take the lane on the left before the school which leads down by the school playing fields. At the bottom of the playing fields a footpath on the left leads through to the old railway track at Whitwell.

Lenwade excursion

Before the Lenwade station is reached and just after crossing the River Wensum there is a path on the right which follows the river into Lenwade. Once this meets the main road, turn right and walk into Lenwade across the bridge.

On the left A zip mileage marker; On the right River Wensum

Pubs ToC

The Bridge Inn
Fakenham Road, Lenwade View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Website: www.bridgeinnlenwade.co.uk/

A family run Free House with a good reputation for their home cooked food. Open all day and serving meals from 12am - 9pm. The pub is set in 30 acres of private grounds with an outdoor seating area by the Lakeside Gardens and private fishing available on 2 specimen lakes of eight and five acres, 2 smaller carp lakes, 2 match/pleasure ponds and a 300 yds stretch of the fabulous river Wensum. Ales on offer include Adnams and Woodfordes.

The Red Lion
Fakenham Road, Drayton View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Website: www.greatbritishcarvery.co.uk/our-pubs/red-lion-1

The Red Lion is a listed building and former coaching inn dating from 1768. A varied menu is on offer together with a carvery offering fresh vegetables and a choice of three roasts. Ales include Greene King and Wolf.

Review

Very nice pint of Wolfs Straw Dog.

Mill at Lenwade

Features ToC

Midland and Great Northern Railway View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Wiki article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriott's_Way

The Marriotts Way uses the trackbeds of two former railway lines, from Themelthorpe to Norwich and the Themelthorpe to Aylsham. The Themelthorpe to Norwich line was built in 1882 by the Lynn and Fakenham Railway Company which was taken over by the M&GN in 1893, as part of a line that ran to Melton Constable. This line gave a through route to the Midlands. The Themelthorpe to Aylsham line was completed in 1893 by the Great Eastern Railway to provide a link to its other lines at Wroxham and County School railway station close to North Elmham. The lines were never profitable. Freight services were largely based on farm products and the line closed to passenger traffic in 1959. In 1960 the two lines were joined by the Themelthorpe Curve, believed to be the sharpest bend in the British Rail network. Its construction was to keep open the important movement of concrete products from Lenwade railway station. Once concrete production ceased in 1985 the line was closed. Several concrete public works of art can be seen along the way a constant reminder of the lines connection with the concrete industry and of its last days as a freight line carrying concrete products. Also on view are hand crafted benches and places to rest. Many of them memorials to cyclists and other way users.

Whitwell and Reepham Railway View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Wiki article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitwell_%26_Reepham_railway_station

Website: http://www.whitwellstation.com

The station was opened in 1882 as part of the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway's branch from the main line at Melton Constable to Norwich City. The station closed in 1959 and the track was lifted in 1985 once the line finally fell into disuse. The station site was used for a tree surgery business, as offices, and for the parking of coaches and a workshop and garage. At one point there was a proposal to dismantle the station building and re-erect it at Holt station on the North Norfolk Railway. The Whitwell and Reepham Railway society reopened the station on the 28th February 2009 nearly 50 years after it was closed to passengers. The continuing aims of the society are to restore the Station to its former glory circa 1930/40's, relay track and sidings, acquire rolling stock and add more items to the museum relating to the Station and The Midland and Great Northern Railway.

Whitwell Station

Links and Bibliography ToC

External Information:

Marriotts Way Guide Book

Images ToC

Below are a selection of images taken from from the photo album for this walk. There are links to the entire photo album plus a slideshow of all the images. Feel free to browse through these or click on any image to view a larger version in the Gallery.

View complete photo album

Click on an image below to view the Image Gallery