FINDING THE WAY

1 On entering Cawston, fork left down New Street, then straight ahead at crossroads.

2 At triangular junction, turn right for Salle, not signposted (signs further along the road).

3 Leave Reepham on Norwich Rd, then take second turning left, signposted Brandiston.

4 Continue through Swannington, then take left fork, not signposted. At crossroads continue straight ahead, then turn left at T-junction on to Reepham Road.

5 Go straight ahead at first two roundabouts. At third, follow signs for city centre. At next roundabout turn left, then straight across fourth. At fifth roundabout, turn right on to A147. To leave Norwich, take A146, signposted Lowestoft. Turn left to Kirby Bedon.

6 Turn left on to B1136, signposted Heckingham, then immediately left again at crossroads, along single-track road, signposted Heckingham. Follow signs for Reedham Ferry. 300 yds/275 m after church, turn left along Ferry Lane.

7 In centre of Acle, turn right on to A1064, signposted Caister-on-Sea.

8 Turn left along A149 in Bastwick, not signposted. After 0.5 miles/0.8 km turn left over Potter Heigham bridge, not signposted. Turn right, signposted Great Yarmouth. Cross road signposted for village hall and church. At T-junction, turn right, signposted Church Road. Follow unsignposted lane at triangular junction, left of church. At T-junction turn right, not signposted.

9 Turn right at signpost for Hickling Broad. Follow road around and turn right, signposted Sea Palling. Just beyond Post Office turn left along unsignposted lane. At T-junction turn left (left turn not signposted – right turn signposted for Stalham).

10 About 2 miles/3.2 km after Cromer, turn left for detour to Hillside Animal Sanctuary, signposted Shire Horse Sanctuary.

Get round with sat nav  

Key in these places for the loop:

Aylsham • Salle • Reepham • Brandiston • Swannington • Norwich  • Rockland St Mary • Loddon • Reedham • Acle • Thurne • Bastwick • Potter Heigham • Hickling Heath • Happisburgh • Trimmingham • Cromer • Blakeney • Holt • Saxthorpe • Blickling • Aylsham

PLACES OF INTEREST

Salle

The church at Salle is almost isolated amongst the fields and is one of the grandest in Norfolk. Compared with Cawston, the nave is wider and has more elegant piers. The engineering of the rood is also more daring, although the result is not quite so lovely.

 Norwich

The cathedral is on a rather smaller scale than most, with Norman nave arches and an exquisite 15-16thC roof. There are carved bosses in the cloisters, and The Close has a rich collection of domestic architecture. The vast Norman keep of Norwich Castle houses an extensive museum and the best single collection of works by the Norwich school of painters, including the paintings by the Norwich school of England’s most original and under-estimated water colourists. Open Mon to Sat and Sun afternoon.

Market fish stalls sell samphire in season. For details and directions, go to the Tourist Information Office, The Forum, Millenium Plain. Information: tel. 01603 213999.

Halvergate Marshes

There are many local walks; a particularly pleasant walk is The Weavers Way. The former marshland, stretching away eastwards to the horizon was converted for arable use in the 1980s, but much of it is now only used for rough grazing and some is protected by the RSPB. The restored Stracey Arms windpump can be seen from the A47. [Insert pictures: Muttons Drainage Mill shutterstock_23836792.jpg and MarshHarrierMainCUT.eps]

Thurne

An untidy little village with two windmills and a busy mooring inlet off the River Thurne used by Broads boat people.

Happisburgh

Note the use of pebbles from the beach on houses in the village street. Perched on the cliffs, the church is a landmark for sailors.

Cromer

Probably the most congenial of East Anglia’s seaside resorts. Most Cromer Crab recipes use dressed crabs, breadcrumbs, lemon, vinegar, salt and grated cheese. Mix everything except the cheese; fill the shells with the mixture; top with cheese and bake until the cheese starts to brown. Hillside Animal Sanctuary has horses, ponies, donkeys, mules and other animals that have been rescued from poor farming conditions. Adopt an animal; museum; café; shop. Open Sun to Thu, Easter to Aug; plus Fri, Jun to Aug; daily, Sep to end Oct.

Sherringham Park

Owned by the National Trust; lovely walks. The short, but steep, climb to the gazebo is particularly rewarding. [Insert picture: P1030244.JPG]

Muckleburgh Military Collection

Museum of military vehicles, weapons, uniforms, paintings and models. Daily rides in military trucks (school holidays only, except Sat). Open daily, Feb half term; Easter to early Nov.

Cley Next the Sea

The marshes offer some of the best bird watching in Britain; raised walks give great views of the marshes and the beach. Some of the area is a private bird sanctuary (entry fee).

Blickling Hall

The first view of Jacobean Blickling Hall at the end of its drive is breathtaking.  The interior doesn’t disappoint, especially the elaborate plasterwork ceiling in the Long Gallery. Open daily, mid-Feb to early Nov. Park and woods open daily, dawn to dusk.

EAT, DRINK, STAY

The Old Brewery House, pub, Reepham. In the Market Place, this is a pub of great character. Bar meals available. 01603 870881.

By Appointment, restaurant with rooms, Georges St, Norwich. Quirky 15thC merchant’s house with theatrical furnishings and generous servings. 01603 630730. www.byappointmentnorwich.co.uk.

Catton Old Hall, hotel, Old Catton, Norwich. 17thC, family-run hotel. Dinner available. 01603 419379. www.catton-hall.co.uk.

Marmelades Bistro, restaurant, Sherringham. Small, stylish restaurant serving good food. 01263 822830. www.marmaladesbistro.co.uk.

Cley Mill, B & B, Cley-next-the-sea. Converted windmill. Superb views over the Cley Marshes. 01263 740209. www.cleymill.co.uk. [Insert picture: CleyMill015.jpg]