Norfolk Accessible Countryside
Disabled Access, Wheelchair walks, Easy Access, Access for All, Mobility, Walks on Wheels, Miles without Stiles - whatever the term the following is all about accessibility to the countryside and green spaces of Norfolk.
Walks Greenspaces and Countryside
Bacton Wood - "Located just north of North Walsham, Bacton Wood is perfect for a day out with nature whether you are on foot, cycle or horseback. With orienteering and walking trails, Bacton Wood is also ideal for those who just want to relax and take in the sights and sounds of rural Norfolk." "Yellow trail at Bacton Wood - This trail runs along well made tracks with frequent benches. From a clockwise approach it gradually loses height as it passes conifer and mixed woodland to the pond, and then to the 'grandparent' oak tree. This is followed by a 200m incline to a level walk through Wellintonia trees (also known as Redwoods, the largest living species of tree), mixed woodland and an area recently cleared to encourage native broadleaf woodland. 1.3 miles" - from the Forestry England website
also see the Walks For All walk leaflet from the Norfolk Coast Partership website
Blakeney Freshers - PDF Download - Access tested trail - An accessible 2.5 mile linear stretch of the coast path from Blakeney to Cley next the Sea with an optional circular route back which may be difficult for some. - from the Norfolk County Council website
Brandon Flint Walk - PDF Download - Access tested trail - "A 2.25 mile town walk through Brandon, a Breckland town characterised by its flint architecture. The route passes historic buildings, the Little Ouse River." - from the Norfolk County Council website
Roman Fort, Burgh Castle Trail - PDF Download - 1.2 miles - Access tested trail - "Features a 600 metre constructed boardwalk with views across Breydon Water. There are also sections of narrow earth trodden path/ compacted aggregate path and a gradient of 1:11 for 50 metres." - from the Norfolk County Council website
Chedgrave Staithe - PDF Download - circular walk - Access tested trail - "A 1 mile surfaced section of the Wherryman’s Way atop the flood bank of the River Chet." - from the Norfolk County Council website
Cley and Salthouse Marshes - "The visitor centre and some paths are fully accessible for wheelchair users. Reserve: From the visitor centre car park, cross the road using a pedestrian crossing to enter the reserve. There is a hardened (compacted hoggin) path: left leads to a boardwalk, with passing areas, to the hides; right leads to Bishops Hide. Continuing in this direction it is possible to access East Bank (there are steps and a slope for easy access) which is a raised bank with a hardened (compacted hoggin) path that stretches towards the beach overlooking all of the reserve. Visitor Centre: disabled parking bays with a rough surface leading to the centre. There are push button doors, a lift to access the main centre, disabled toilets, a hearing loop and a wheelchair available." from the Norfolk Wildlife Trust website
also see the Walks For All walk leaflet from the Norfolk Coast Partership website
Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden - "The garden is all easy walking and has lots of benches throughout so you can sit and enjoy the view. With the help of Gift Aid donations we have board walked our second bridge path to ensure year round access Our next project is to upgrade the Kingfisher path. We do offer mobility scooters for use by our visitors with mobility issues. There is a £5 hire fee for the the scooters which is put back into servicing them and when funds permit, the purchase of new ones. Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden website
Felbrigg Hall, Gardens and Estate - (NT) - "The rolling landscape park with a lake, 211 hectares (520 acres) of woods and waymarked trails is a great place to explore nature and wildlife on this bountiful estate. With buggy friendly surfaces on main visitor routes, families can enjoy a relaxing day out." "There is designated disabled parking at the front of the main car park Accessible toilet available All-weather path through the woods" - from the National Trust website
also see the Walks For All walk leaflet from the Norfolk Coast Partership website
Gorleston to Great Yarmouth - PDF Download - Access tested trail - "A 3 mile section of the coast path, connecting Gorleston seafront to the bustling town of Great Yarmouth by a route alongside the River Yare." - from the Norfolk County Council website
Haven Bridge to North Denes - PDF Download - Access tested trail - "A short section of the Coast Path, from quay side through Great Yarmouth town, following Marine Parade past the pier and beach to the dune scape of North Denes." - from the Norfolk County Council website
Hickling Broad and Marshes - "The largest of the Broads, NWT Hickling Broad is a year-round haven for wildlife. It is easy to spend a day walking around Hickling's trails or, in summer, gently while away a couple of hours taking in the Broad’s hidden corners on one of NWT's summer wildlife watertrail boat tours." "There is a large car park (grid ref TG 428 221), visitor centre and toilets. There is disabled car parking provision and a rough surface leading to the centre where there is a disabled toilet, hearing loop and a wheelchair available. From the visitor centre there are a number of accessible trails, both compacted hoggin or boardwalk which give easy access to two hides as part of a circular route.
Additionally, Whiteslea track is a raised compacted granite track providing views over the marshes. Please note that there is a requirement to open and close gates while following some of the paths around the reserve." - from the Norfolk Wildlife Trust website
also see the Walks For All walk leaflet from the Norfolk Coast Partership website
Historic Weeting - PDF Download - Access tested trail - "A 5 mile circular walk around the village of Weeting. Expect open landscapes and historic buildings" - from the Norfolk County Council website
Holkham Estate and Gardens - "Designated Nature Trail - There are three designated walks in the park; The Lake Walk – 2 ½ miles, The Park Walk – 4 miles and The Farm Walk – 6 miles. There is also a nature trail with a quiz. It is 5954 metres/ 1 ¼ miles long and comprises of 28 information panels along the route. Leaflets can be collected, free of charge, from the Ticket Office. Some of the trail may be uneven as it navigates woodland and parkland tracks. Some of the trail is sloped. The trail has log benches along the way. There are cattle grids in/out of the deer park. The Walled Garden - Our walled garden is roughly a ten to fifteen minute walk away from the Hall. The route is hard-core and level, but uneven and sloped in places. There are 3 accessible car parking spaces here. Please be aware that our buggy service to the walled garden is currently suspended. The gravel can be hard to navigate as it is deep in places, so we have mobility scooters available for free use around the garden, as well as more durable wheelchairs to help navigate the deeper gravel areas. - from the Holkham Estate website
also see the Walks For All walk leaflet from the Norfolk Coast Partership website
Holt Country Park - "Holt Country Park is set in 100 acres of mixed woodland and is a Green Flag award winner. Open all year round for the public to enjoy. It is situated on the edge of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty." from the Norfolk County Council website
also see the Walks For All walk leaflet from the Norfolk Coast Partership website
Horsey Windpump - (NT) - "Horsey Windpump is an iconic building with a fascinating past and the perfect gateway to experience the connection between man and nature." "Horsey, where the Broads meet the coast, is unrivalled as a place providing views into this mysterious broadland landscape of Norfolk. This remote location is secluded and famed for its internationally important wildlife, from the over-wintering wildfowl frequenting Horsey Mere to the Swallowtail butterfly, the very essence of a summer on the Broads. A great place for walking and bird watching, throughout the seasons." - from the National Trust website
also see the Walks For All walk leaflet from the Norfolk Coast Partership website
Sandringham Royal Parkland - "Sandringham Royal Parkland is dog friendly and spreads over 243 hectares with waymarked trails for cycling or exploring by foot and a children's play area." "Accessible designated parking spaces for Blue Badge holders and ‘limited mobility’ in our car parks. Accessible toilets and changing facilities are available at the Courtyard. Wheelchairs may be hired free of charge on a first come first served basis with a refundable deposit, please enquire at the ticket office. There are uneven surfaces in the Gardens due to the landscape and historic nature of the property, some surfaces may be slippery when wet." - from the Sandringham Estate website
also see the Easy Going Trails leaflet from the Norfolk Coast Partership website
Somerleyton Gardens - "Considered one of the finest gardens in East Anglia since the mid-17th century, the gardens at Somerleyton continue to delight. Set over 12 acres, the garden is slowly being re-imagined as a series of interconnected ‘rooms’." "Nearly all areas of the garden are accessible, although please be aware that some of the paths are uneven in places and tricky with small wheeled chairs. Lawns can be used for moving around. There is a disabled toilet at the top of Gardens" - from the Somerleyton Hall website
Taverham Mill - "Our 100-acre site boasts some spectacular views making us one of the most picturesque Norfolk nature reserves. With four lakes and situated by an old weir and mill pool on the River Wensum, Taverham is a haven for anglers, walkers and nature lovers" "From accessible trails to toilets and baby changing, our facilities ensure the whole family can enjoy their time at Taverham Mill." "Some areas of the site may not be suitable for wheelchair users unless accompanied, with most of the nature trail either low-level grass or boardwalk." - from the Anglian Water website
Thetford Architecture - PDF Download - Access tested trail - "A 2.75 mile circular walk around Thetford town centre following the Little Ouse river past various historic sites" - from the Norfolk County Council website
Wells Quayside - PDF Download - Access tested trail - "A 1 mile stretch of coast path along the quay side of the harbour town of Wells-next-the-Sea. An accessible route with stunning coastal views." - from the Norfolk County Council website