Norfolk has some wild and wonderful places for walkers to explore, but the most beautiful sites are not always accessible to those without a car.
Here is something different! Catch the train in Norwich, making sure it goes via Cantley and/or Reedham to Great Yarmouth. You can get off at either station and walk along the River Yare for about 3-4 miles. Apart from passing boats, you are more likely to meet the local wildfowl than any human visitors.
We caught the train to Reedham, where if you follow Ferry Road, you’ll find the Ferry Inn and the only chain car ferry in the county. Just in front of the camp site, with the river on your left, follow the grassy path all the way to the most impressive building on the river – the Sugar Beet factory. Once there, you can enjoy the hospitality provided by the friendly hosts at the Reedcutter pub, just beyond the factory. It is one of the few pubs along the river where you are guaranteed a good welcome with honest pub food and local ales.
From there (unless you want to stay the night ) you can catch your train back to Norwich or on to Great Yarmouth.
Those wanting a longer more energetic hike, can follow the river all the way to Great Yarmouth and catch the train back, or in the other direction to Buckenham Marshes also with its own station.
There are sometimes path closures because of dredging and check the timetables for your journeys by rail.
Sights to enjoy are the variety of drainage “mills” along the way in various states of repair or disrepair.
It’s suitable for able bodied walkers – raised grassy track which can flood after heavy rain – but not for pushchairs or wheelchairs – though we did see a family form the camp site with pushchairs.
