A walk from one historis landmark to another, the 15th century Mannington Hall to the 12th century St Michael's and All Angels Church.
THE WALK
1. From the car park leave by the main gate, cross the road and enter the wooded section. Follow the path to Keeper's Lane and turn left. Pass the holiday cottages on the left, follow the lane to the corner and turn right passing Keepers House on your left. Follow the path to the bottom of the hill then turn right. Carry straight on through the heather - the path can be indistinct in places. Bear right at the junction of paths - this will bring you onto the drive for Wood Farm. Carry on straight ahead - you will come to the road. Turn left and follow to a triangle of grass.
2. The track turns back on itself - follow the track, which turns into a field edge path. Keep following to a small, wooded section - this is the start of an enclosed lane. At the end, turn right up a small incline. Follow to the hedge, turn left follow down the dip the straight on to the road.
3. If you are doing the short walk, turn right here picking up at point 5. The main walk goes straight on up the track at the junction. Bear left following the track, passing a cottage on your right. At Old Wood ignore the path to the left - follow the edge of the wood straight on to join Mill Lane at the road. Turn right. On the left at Plumstead Green there is an attractive community green with a pond. On a sunny day this would make an ideal place to have a break. Carry on the road to the junction with the village sign. Go straight on to St Michael and All Angels Church.
4. After visiting the church, return to the road junction. Take the track on the left, Jericho Lane. Keep following - it becomes an enclosed path which will bring you to the track that you came up earlier. Follow to the road, turn left.
5. At Barningham Green Farm take the track passing the farm buildings. Take the field edge path to the left. Follow to a cross field path. Go straight over then follow the field edge path to the road. Cross the road. Take the signed path to the right then left, following the field edge to the end turn left before the stile. Turn right. Follow to the stile straight on. Cross the bridge then over the stile. Turn right into the permissive path to the hide that overlooks a small broad. Follow the boardwalk. Turn right at the trees. Bear left - this will bring you back to the car park.
COMPASS POINTS
STARTS AT: Mannington Hall Car Park honesty box
NEAREST POSTCODE: NR11 7BB
MAIN WALK: 7.7 miles, 12.3km
SHORT WALK: 5.25 miles, 8.3km
GRID REFERENCE: TG1412 3206
WHAT3WORDS: tries.noble.yachting
POINTS OF INTEREST
Mannington Hall
The moated medieval country house Mannington Hall was constructed in the 15th century. Having been owned by the Walpole family since the 18th century, it is now owned and occupied by Robert Walpole, 10th Baron Walpole.
The hall is surrounded on all sides by a moat and in plan is oblong in shape.
The main entrance to the hall is on the west elevation. This main door is reached by the use of a wood pedestrian drawbridge.
Throughout the gardens are thousands of roses, especially classic varieties. In the heritage and modern rose gardens are roses in areas with designs reflecting their date of origin from the 15th century to the present day. Work continues to re-plant areas which were planted in the 1980s and complementary planting of other species to fit in with the dated gardens continues every year.
The contemporary garden features more roses, shrubs and herbaceous borders with brighter colours and modern varieties. Near to the hall is a knot garden with scented plants and on the south lawn is a classical temple and the recently planted sensory garden with plants selected for touch, sound and taste, as well as smell and colour.
The gardens are open from 11am-5pm on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday until September 1 - and there is a tea room offering tea and coffee, light lunches and that all-important cake.
St Michael's and All Angels Church
St Michael’s and all Angels Church dates from the 12th century. The tower is from the latter part of the 15th century and the bell was cast between 1450-1500 by Richard Brazier in St Stephen’s, Norwich. The south chancel windows contain richly coloured panels of 17th century Dutch glass, brought from Catton Hall where they mixed originally with the east window glass.
Itteringham Village Shop
Walking is hungry work. Run by Itteringham Community Association, at Itteringham Village Shop you'll find all sorts of local delicacies to fuel a day's hiking - stockists include Ferndale Cheeses, Walsingham Pies, Norfolk Cordials, Norfolk Charcuterie and more.
STEP BACK IN TIME
Heydon Village Tea Shop
Owned by Cindy Halls, Heydon Village Tea Shop is a charming place. Step through the door and there's a cake table laden with a tempting array of bakes displayed on traditional-style glass stands and vintage curios dotted about. Flavours might range from traditional Victoria sponge and coffee and walnut to more unusual combinations such as courgette, lime and pistachio, or sweet potato and orange - and Cindy's nan Myrtle's fruitcake is always on the afternoon tea menu.
