Peter James of the Norfolk Ramblers takes us on a circular stroll - which includes the famous Shrieking Pit
Overstrand to Northrepps
Main walk 6.5 miles, 10.4km
Short walk 4 miles, 6.5km
Park in the seafront car park in Pauls Lane
Grid reference TG247 410
Nearest postcode NR27 0PF
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(1) From the car park, turn right into Pauls Lane. After about 300 yards, just past Arden Close, turn left on to a footpath (with a garden fence on either side) and follow until reaching the road. Cross the road, taking the path straight ahead to cross the old Norfolk & Suffolk railway. At the top of the track bear left then immediately right, taking the path uphill. The path then drops downhill with views over Northrepps. Follow the road ahead through the village to a junction followed by a sharp left bend in the road. Turn right here into Church Road and follow the road to the church.
(2) If doing the 4-mile walk carry straight on down the road to turn left into Rectory Road. Follow road and turn left into Fox Hill wood (Paston Way) to re-join the longer walk.
If doing the longer walk pass through the churchyard to a kissing gate. Follow the path to the end of the field and turn left along the field edge and through the trees to a track. Turn right, then bear left, taking the long cross-field path to cross the railway line. Follow the field edge path, keeping left of the trees. At the end of the hedge, you have excellent views over Northrepps Aerodrome. At the end of the track turn left before the hangars and follow to the end of the field. Turn right at the track and then left following waymarks all the way to the road.
(3) Turn left and cross over the railway bridge. Carry straight on down the road past Bridge Farm. Just past the road junction take the path to your right; soon turn left following the path to again turn right then left to the road ahead. Follow the road to the T junction
(4) This is where the shorter walk re-joins the main walk. Take the path straight ahead into Fox Hills Wood (Paston Way). At the end of the woods keep left and left again at the track. Keep an eye out for the Shrieking Pit, a tree-shaded pond which, as local legend has it, is haunted by the ghost of a girl said to have been drowned there. At the second pond bear right, following the path through the farm to the road. Turn left then right, following the track towards the radar site. Just before the radar site take the path to the left down through the woods, passing under the old railway. At the main road turn left, cross the road and take the first turning right into Coast Road. Follow the road round to the start of the promenade. Take the path down to the sea wall and continue past the beach huts to the slipway where the path leads back up to the car park.
Points of interest
The Shrieking Pits
At Northrepps, just south of the wonderfully-named Hungry Hill, is a track which leads to several tree-shrouded and water-filled hollows which bear the name of the Shrieking Pits, named for the ghost of a wailing woman, whose change of heart after a suicide attempt fell on deaf ears.
It is said that at midnight on February 24, the spirit of a village girl named Esmeralda appears between the veil of the living and the dead. At the age of 17, Esmeralda had fallen in love with a wealthy but untrustworthy young farmer who conducted a secret relationship with her behind his wife's back.
The local vicar discovered the affair and ordered them to draw it to a close – the farmer skulked back to his wife and, without word from her sweetheart, Esmeralda's heart broke and she drifted into misery and depression, unable to forget her love.
On a frosty February night, she was wandering the lanes close to the village when she came upon the pit and, in a moment of desperation, she threw herself in. Almost immediately, she regretted her hasty decision and called for help – but none came and she perished. Her desperate screams can still, it is said, be heard on February 24, adding an extra chill to a winter's night.
The parish church of Saint Mary the Virgin is on the south side of the village. The building is mainly 15th century but the chancel has two lancet windows that date from the 13th century. The rood screen was given to the church in 1460 by John Playford and his wife Custance, their names being carved on its rail. The rood screen was at some time removed from the church and was found by the then rector of the church, John Cresswell, in a local barn. He had it restored to the church in 1912.
The chancel also has some surviving Norman windows and zigzag on top of the church the weathervane depicts the Gallus plough produced at the old foundry, which was donated by a local man, John Golden, who had connections with the foundry.
Eat here
The Potting Shed
The café is situated in the Overstrand Garden Centre, though it is run by Gangway, who run popular cafes in Cromer and Sheringham. Delicious-looking light meals, snacks, pastries and coffee make this a popular stop and if you like to walk with your dog, you’ll find they are welcome too.
Cliff Top Café
A well-known local landmark, the café has a breakfast menu if you are an early starter, plus a lunch card and plenty of snack and drink choices. Your four-legged friends are also welcome here.
