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Burnham Market

Norfolk Walk

County/Area - Norfolk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 5.5 miles / 8.9 km    Ascent - 220 feet / 67 metres

Time - 3 hours 0 minutes    Grade - easy

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Walk Route Description

Photo from the walk - Burnham Market
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The area surrounding this attractive village is full of interest. Of particular note are the connections with Horatio Nelson who was born in Burnham Thorpe and developed his love of the sea in this area. The walk connects Burnham Market with Burnham Norton, Burnham Overy Staithe and Burnham Overy Town. Nowhere is the going difficult and during the walk you will see a variety of landscape and some interesting buildings including two fine churches.

Park in Burnham Market as close to the centre as you can. From the centre take Herrings Lane on the north side of the main street and walk uphill. Just over the crest of the hill the lane bends right and you should continue ahead on the signed footpath. This goes along the side of a field with a hedge on your left and leads down to the A149 main road (grid ref. TF830434). Cross the main road to the lane opposite and walk into the attractive village of Burnham Norton. Reaching a T-junction, turn right. Ignore the footpath on your left, instead continuing ahead on a clear signed footpath to Burnham Overy Staithe.

The path soon bears left across the marsh. Ahead you can see a fine windmill. After 400 metres you join the North Norfolk Coast Path which comes in from your left. Follow this path to a cross path (grid ref. TF835438). Turn left and continue to the waterfront in Burnham Overy Staithe. This was once an important port although today leisure boating dominates the scene.

Continue along the harbour side road and at the far end turn right up to the main road. Cross over and continue up Gong Lane. This climbs past houses to reach open country. The track starts to descend reaching a junction of paths and tracks (grid ref. TF847431). Turn right and walk towards Burnham Overy Town. Just before reaching a road, turn left in front of some cottages and enter the church yard. The church has an unusual design and is worth a visit. There are notes about its complex history and extensions available inside the church.

Leave the churchyard at the southern end on the opposite side from where you came in. Turn right along the main road (B1155). Stay on the A1155 as it turns sharp left and then sharp right to pass a large mill before crossing the River Burn. About 400 yards after the bridge take the lane on the right. This leads you past a school on the left with the interesting remains of St Mary's Carmelite Friary. There is an information board outside providing some historical details.

Retrace you steps along the lane. At the end of the school property take the narrow footpath on the right. This leads up to another lane. Turn right and ahead you will see an excellent example of a round tower church. A visit is recommended as the interior is wonderful. Alongside the southern boundary of the churchyard is a track. This is Cross Lane which should be followed to a T-junction with a road. You are now back on the outward route. Turn left and descend into Burnham Market.

Other walks nearby

Walk 3514 Brancaster to Burnham Overy Staitheeasy6.0 miles
Walk 1908 Wells-next-the-Sea & Holkham Parkeasy/mod8.0 miles
Walk 2101 Holkham Park circulareasy4.5 miles
Walk 3254 Holkham & Holkham Park Circularmoderate10.2 miles
Walk 2081 Holkham Gap and West Beach from Wells-next-the-Seaeasy4.0 miles
Walk 3640 Thornham Circulareasy5.0 miles
Walk 3256 Great Bircham & Fring Circulareasy/mod8.4 miles
Walk 3306 Holme next the Sea and Thornhameasy/mod7.5 miles
Walk 2922 Old Hunstanton to Thornham by the Coast Path easy4.5 miles
Walk 1600 Morston Salt Marshes from Morston Quayeasy2.5 miles

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