Cycling and Walking Old Railway Lines

For further details of any of these walks please contact the Norfolk Tourist Information Service.

The Weavers' Way

56 mile long walk from Cromer to Great Yarmouth. Railway and minor road sections are also available for use by horseriders and cyclists.

This walk uses long sections of the abandoned formation of the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway, closed in 1959 (prior to the Beeching cuts). The path passes the surviving former stations at Felmingham (MGN) and Honing (MGN-platform only). Railway interface can be made at Cromer (One Railways), Aylsham (Bure Valley Railway), North Walsham (One Railways), Berney Arms (One Railways) and Great Yarmouth (One Railways).

The path is easy to follow and well maintained. It also passes the only length of canal constructed in Norfolk (the North Walsham and Dilham Canal) which is subject to ongoing restoration as a navigable waterway.

Marriott's Way

21 mile long walk from Hellesdon (Norwich) to Aylsham. Also available for use by horseriders and cyclists.

This walk uses part of the abandoned formation of the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway and Great Eastern Railway, closed by 1985. The path passes the surviving former stations at Hellesdon (MGN-platform only), Attlebridge (MGN-rebuilt), Lenwade (MGN), Whitwell & Reepham (MGN), Reepham (GER), and Cawston (GER). Railway interface can be made at Aylsham (Bure Valley Railway). The path from Hellesdon to the site of Norwich City station is labelled "Riverside Walk". The path beyond Aylsham is labelled "Bure Valley Walk".

The path is easy to follow and well maintained. It is named after William Marriott, the chief engineer and manager of the Midland and Great Northern system for 41 years.

Bure Valley Walk

9 mile long walk from Aylsham to Wroxham. Also available for use by cyclists.

This walk uses part of the formation of the Great Eastern Railway and runs beside the operational Bure Valley Railway. The path passes the surviving former stations at Buxton (GER) and Coltishall (GER). Railway interface can be made at Aylsham (Bure Valley Railway), Buxton (Bure Valley Railway), Coltishall (

The path is easy to follow and well maintained. It is quite narrow in places, however, and runs immediately next to the operational railway - not at all suitable for horses. The path passes under the flightpath of RAF Coltishall, so aviation enthusiasts may also enjoy this walk!

Riverside Walk

4 mile long walk from Hellesdon (Norwich) to the site of Norwich City station. Also available for use by horseriders and cyclists.

This walk uses part of the abandoned formation of the Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway, closed by 1985.

The path is easy to follow and quite well maintained.

Wensum Valley Walks

8 mile long circular walk between County School station (GER - restored) and North Elmham (LNER - derelict).

This walk is 6 miles long and follows a section of the old Dereham to Fakenham railway. The full route includes a tour of the village of North Elmham, it's 14th century church and "Saxon cathedral". Sadly North Elmham winery and vineyards (the most northerly in Europe) closed in 2000.

The path is easy to follow and is signed with blue "Wensum Valley Project" signs. The old railway formation is still ballasted and diversions may be required when the restoration work of this section of line is started (see Mid-Norfolk Railway(MNR)). County School station serves light refreshments on weekends between Easter and September (contact MNR for details of opening times).

Great Eastern Pingo Trail

8 mile long circular walk from the former Stow Bedon station (GER-demolished) to Great Hockham.

This walk uses part of the abandoned formation of the Great Eastern Railway. The walk is scenically varied and rich in wildlife and can be enjoyed at all times of the year. The railway line is particularly noted for its diversity of butterflies and parts of it have the feel of ancient greenways. There is no active railway interface with this walk.

The path is easy to follow and quite well maintained. A Pingo is a glacial formation, by the way!

Paston Way

Distance yet to be verified.

This walk uses part of the abandoned formation of the Norfolk and Suffolk Joint Railway between North Walsham (MGN-demolished) and Knapton (NSJ). Railway interface can be made at North Walsham (One Rlys).

King's Lynn Cycleway

Distance yet to be verified.

This cycle path uses part of the abandoned formation of the Great Eastern Railway's line between Kings Lynn and Hunstanton. Railway interface can be made at King's Lynn (First Capital Connect/One Rlys).

This path lies to the north of the town and is very well maintained and easy to follow.

Sustrans

Sustrans also have two cycle routes (Routes 13 and 2?) which run through the county and interface with active railways. They do not, however, appear to be able to provide any sensible information on their routes (web page maps are defective/no reply to email), so I have not been able to add them to this site. They do sell a map of their routes (Halfords stock it for about £15) if you would like to know more.