Join Norfolk Ramblers for a lovely winter’s day walk
Start/finish: Station car park, Salhouse
Distance: 5.5 miles, 9km
Grid Reference: TG 293 140
Post code: NR13 6EU
Directions
1. Starting from Salhouse station car park, follow Station Road back to Muck Lane, turn left under the bridge. After about 250 metres, near the telephone box, go left along the track towards Peckedell Farm. At the farm gate continue ahead along a fenced path; at a metal barrier at the end of the woods turn left then right. Pass through the kissing gates; this brings you on to Hall Drive. Passing the pond on your right go straight on past the village sign and the Bell pub; there are some attractive buildings on Lower Street. Take the footpath to the left opposite Thieves Lane, follow the path between the fences and hedge out beside the horse paddocks. Follow the field edge path through to the gap in the second hedge. Turn left; after about 50 metres turn right at the marker post across the field heading for the large tree, then follow the enclosed path to a ramblers’ gate and go down the steps to Vicarage Road.
2. Turn left past Vicarage Farm to the track on the right. This is a pleasant track with rolling pastures beside it. Come to a tarmac road, bear left to the road at the entrance to Hospital Farm. After about 65 metres there is an indistinct path to the left – follow this to the road then turn left, keeping on the verge to the top of the rise. Cross the road to take the green lane ahead to Bears Grove level crossing.
Cross the railway with care, then bear left to a marker post. Turn left along the field edge, go through the gap beside the gate to a second gate beside the farmhouse, then follow the stony drive to the road.
Turn left under the railway bridge then turn right into Howlett’s Loke. At the entrance to Redwings Farm take the fenced path beside the drive; at the new woods bear left then right following the field edge path to the road. Turn right then cross opposite the war memorial to bring you to All Saints church, Salhouse, which is quite a way out of the village.
3. After visiting the church cross the road to the finger post and follow the enclosed path to a large fence at the rear of Salhouse Hall. Turn left, follow the field edge to the end of the new woods and bear slightly left along the enclosed footpath to a small parking area. Turn left, following Howlett’s Loke. At the end of the lane turn right back under the bridge returning to the station car park.
Points of interest
The pretty thatched church of All Saints stands well north of Salhouse village, on the road to Wroxham. The church dates back to the 14th century but what makes it unusual is that it appears to have never been completed, and the top of the tower was left unfinished, giving it an oddly proportioned look.
In the tower hangs a pair of bells, one cast in 1481 by Richard Brasyer, a famous brass founder and goldsmith of Norwich. It probably came to Salhouse from the monastery at Oxburgh when it was suppressed by Henry VIII. The other bell was possibly an original 14th century bell but was cracked and had to be recast in 1630.
The medieval core of the church was restored in the Victorian period, but many medieval features remain. The north arcade is 14th century, with five bays separated by octagonal piers. One arcade capital is carved with small heads, the others with foliage decoration. One of the most interesting features is not medieval at all; the stained-glass windows date from the Victorian restoration and are an excellent example of late 19th century craftsmanship. The windows were installed during restoration in 1881.
Ordnance Survey maps are available from all good booksellers and outdoor stores or visit our online shop www.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/al
Get rambling
Norfolk Ramblers welcomes new members. If you are interested in walking in the company of like-minded people, visit norfolkra.org.uk or call 07505 426750. For queries about this walk, phone 07905 565740.
Norfolk Ramblers has established a footpath working group to do some path cutting and general maintenance. We try to make sure that all the paths in these walks are fit to walk, but if you encounter a problem please tell us.
Contact Peter James at pdjames.ramb@ntlworld.com; 07905 565740
