Walks near Norwich by train
MapA day hike in the countryside is just a simple train journey away — explore the most charmingly located railway stations near Norwich and plan your next day of green.
Alternatively, view walks directly from Norwich.
Waterbeach to Ely (Cambridgeshire)
45 minutes direct from Norwich.
Highly recommended
Waterway: two thirds beside rivers and canals.
Ely Cathedral: the 'ship of the fens', a great Norman cathedral visible for miles across the flat fenland (5h15 in).
Oliver Cromwell's House (5h30 in)
Ely (5h15 in)
2 lunch spots: the Five Miles Inn (2h in), or Wren Cafe (3h in)
5 end-of-walk rewards: the Cutter Inn, the Drayman's Son, the Kings Arms, the Minster Tavern, or the Prince Albert
Adapted from: The Rough Guide to Walks in London & the South East (3rd edition).
Manningtree Circular via Flatford (Essex)
45 minutes direct from Norwich.
Flatford: Discover the views that John Constable painted in the hamlet of Flatford, set within the Dedham Vale countryside (National Trust; 1h in; 1h to visit).
4 lunch spots: Flatford tearoom (1h in), Dedham Boathouse Restaurant (1h30 in), the Sun Inn (2h in), or the Garden Café (2h15 in)
Source: Trains2Green.
Salhouse Circular via Salhouse Broad (Norfolk)
15 minutes direct from Norwich.
Quiet country lanes and field-edge paths through Broads farmland and reed beds; three-quarters surfaced with cycle barriers, slight gradients in places.
1 end-of-walk reward: the Bell Inn
Walk details: Bittern Line (PDF).
Hoveton and Wroxham Circular via Coltishall (Norfolk)
15 minutes direct from Norwich.
Field paths and a former-railway trail through Broads countryside to a riverside village; mostly unsurfaced with kissing gates, stiles, gates and steps, slight with one steep hill.
Coltishall
Lunch: Riverside pubs at Coltishall.
End-of-walk reward: Pubs and cafés in Wroxham.
Walk details: Bittern Line (PDF).
Worstead Circular via St Mary's Church (Norfolk)
30 minutes direct from Norwich.
Field paths and quiet lanes around a historic weaving village; half surfaced with some steps, slight gradient.
1 lunch spot: the New Inn
Walk details: Bittern Line (PDF).
North Walsham Circular via Felmingham Cutting Local Nature Reserve (Norfolk)
30 minutes direct from Norwich.
Field paths, woodland and a former-railway nature reserve; mostly unsurfaced with steps, slight gradient.
Stump Cross
End-of-walk reward: Pubs and cafés in North Walsham.
Walk details: Bittern Line (PDF).
Cromer Circular via Felbrigg Hall (Norfolk)
45 minutes direct from Norwich.
Field and woodland paths out to a parkland estate and back; three-quarters surfaced with kissing gates and steps, moderate gradient.
Felbrigg Hall: Truly a hidden gem (National Trust; 3h30 to visit).
2 lunch spots: cromer — Felbrigg Hall Tea Rooms, or Felbrigg Hall café
End-of-walk reward: Cafés and pubs in Cromer.
Walk details: Bittern Line (PDF).
Ely Circular via Ely Cathedral (Cambridgeshire)
45 minutes direct from Norwich.
Open fenland, flat drained farmland, long straight tree-lined farm tracks, hedge-lined meadows, river banks, dykes and catchwater drains, quayside and historic city.
Ely Cathedral: the 'ship of the fens', a great Norman cathedral visible for miles across the flat fenland.
Warnings: Exposed river banks.
Walk details: the Saturday Walkers Club (tips, local insights and turn-by-turn directions).
West Runton Circular via Roman Camp (Norfolk)
1 hour direct from Norwich.
Coastal hills, commons and heath with sweeping sea views; half surfaced with kissing gates, steps and gates, moderate with occasional steep slopes.
Roman Camp
End-of-walk reward: Pubs and cafés in West Runton and Cromer.
Walk details: Bittern Line (PDF).
Sheringham Circular via Sheringham Park (Norfolk)
1 hour direct from Norwich.
Coastal hills, commons, woodland and parkland with long flights of steps; mostly unsurfaced, moderate with some steep slopes.
Beeston Regis Priory
Sheringham Park: Landscape park and woodland garden with miles of stunning coastal views (National Trust).
End-of-walk reward: Pubs and cafés in Sheringham.
Walk details: Bittern Line (PDF).
Melton Circular via Sutton Hoo (Suffolk)
1 hour from Norwich, with one change.
Tidal marshes, oak woodland and sandy heaths leading to the National Trust's Sutton Hoo estate above the Deben — the archaeological site of outstanding international importance where the great Anglo-Saxon ship burial was found.
Sutton Hoo: Awe-inspiring Anglo-Saxon royal burial site, home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time (National Trust; 3h30 to visit).
Lunch: Pubs on the main road between Melton station and the Bromeswell turning, plus pubs and a shop in Melton village; café and shop at Sutton Hoo.
Warnings: The reed-bed boardwalk is impassable at very high tide (a roadside alternative is provided); cross the road junction with extreme care; beware golf activity crossing Woodbridge Golf Club.
Walk details: East Suffolk Lines (PDF).
Roughton Road to Cromer (Norfolk)
45 minutes direct from Norwich.
Field paths to the coast then an exposed clifftop coastal path; three-quarters surfaced with a kissing gate and steps, moderate with some fairly steep climbs.
Overstrand
2 lunch spots: Overstrand — the White Horse Inn, or Cliff Top Café
End-of-walk reward: Pubs and cafés in Cromer.
Walk details: Bittern Line (PDF).