From heath and woodlands to stunning beaches and wild, empty salt marsh
Walking the Norfolk Coast Path and Peddars Way
Walking the Norfolk Coast Path and Peddars Way
About the Peddars Way
The Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path National Trail is a wonderfully varied trail. We have a range of guidebooks and maps to help you stay on track while walking Peddars Way and the Norfolk Coast Path.
Peddars Way starts at Knettishall Heath Country Park in Suffolk, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and follows the route of a Roman road for 49 miles (79 km) through the Brecks, a unique area of forest, heath and low river valleys to meet the Norfolk Coast Path at Holme-next-the-Sea.
Peddars Way dates back to AD61 when Roman troops used the route to move around East Anglia. Later, in the 15th and 16th Century this route was named the Peddars Way in honour of the pilgrims who walked to the religious village of Walsingham and the Priory there.
While walking Peddars Way, you’ll enjoy ancient woodlands, rich farmland and heathland such as Brettenham Heath National Nature Reserve. You’ll also visit historic towns and villages including Little Cressingham, Castle Acre (don’t miss the 12th century castle and magnificent Castle Acre Priory) and Sedgeford. Keep an eye out for the Norfolk Songline sculptures along the trail, these unusual waymarks were inspired by and designed to celebrate the National Trail.
About the Norfolk Coast Path
The Norfolk Coast Path provides 84 miles (135 km) of walking through fantastic scenery and landscape. In recent years the trail has been extended as part of the development of the England Coast Path and currently runs from Hunstanton to Hopton-on-Sea.
Experience seaside towns and fishing villages, tidal marshes teeming with wildlife, stunning sandy beaches and huge open skies. From the elegant resort of Hunstanton with its unique striped cliffs, to the unspoilt picturesque beach at Holkham, the pretty harbour town of Wells-next-the-Sea and the lovely village of Blakeney. If you’re lucky you might catch sight of grey seals at Blakeney Point.
If you’re interested in bird watching while walking the Norfolk Coast Path, don’t miss Cley Marshes, a nature reserve owned by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust. As you continue along the trail you’ll soon become aware of Weybourne’s military heritage, with several guns belonging to the Muckleburgh Collection lining the route.
Enjoy the delights of the traditional seaside towns of Sheringham and Cromer and look out for the distinctive red and white striped lighthouse at Happisburgh, the only independently run lighthouse in Great Britain.
The trail continues along the coast, taking in the Blue Flag beach at Sea Palling, the pretty little thatched cottages at Winterton-on-Sea, the excitement of Great Yarmouth and ending in Hopton-on-Sea, at the end of the trail close to the Norfolk/Suffolk border.
Check Out Our Norfolk Coast Path & Peddars Way Merchandise
Walking the Norfolk Coast Path & Peddars Way doesn’t have to be completed in one go to enjoy the best it has to offer. You can find maps and merchandise, along with books that include short walks on the the Norfolk Coast Path & Peddars Way here:
How long does walking the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path take, end to end?
To walk the entire trail from end to end (133 miles) will take approximately 11 days although of course, you may wish to extend this to enjoy many of the highlights that you’ll encounter along the way.
If you wish to split the route, it takes on average 4 days to walk Peddars Way and 7 days to complete the Norfolk Coast Path.
As additional sections of the England Coast Path along the Norfolk Coast are opened it is possible to continue along the coast beyond the end of the original National Trail. You can currently walk as far as Hopton-on-Sea.
How hard is walking the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path?
The Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path is one of the more gentle National Trails. The terrain is varied but is generally flat or with only gentle gradients. It's always advisable to carry a guidebook and map.
When walking the Peddars Way & Norfolk Coast Path, which direction should I go?
Most long distance walkers walk north along the Peddars Way and then east along the Norfolk Coast Path as all the guidebooks are written in this direction. You can walk it the other way, however, as it is signed for both directions.
Who can enjoy walking the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path National Trail?
Whilst the name, Peddars Way, is said to be derived from the Latin “pedester”, which means “on foot”, most of the Peddars Way can also be accessed by cyclists and horse riders. Where there are footpath restrictions there are alternatives to the walking route via green lanes wherever possible.
However, The Norfolk Coast Path is a footpath and cannot be used by cyclists or horse riders.
Can I bring my dog while walking the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path?
Your dog is welcome on the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path. Some of the trail passes through farmland where stock may be grazing so please respect farmers and their animals by keeping your dog on a lead when near livestock. There are stiles that dogs may need to be lifted over. Cows with calves are very protective and can be aggressive towards dogs. Try to avoid walking close to cows with calves, if you encounter any aggression release your dog, do not try to pick it up.
You may find areas which are restricted for dogs or require them to be kept on leads at certain times of the year or in specific zones, particularly along the Norfolk Coast Path where restrictions are put in place to protect ground-nesting birds.
What is the best time of year for walking the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path?
There is no obvious best time to walk the National Trail. During the summer the weather will generally be better and the vegetation is fresh, with the hedgerows in full blossom however the seaside resorts can be very busy during the school summer holidays and it’s advisable to book accommodation well in advance.
Bird watchers and wildlife enthusiasts will enjoy spring and autumn on the trail as these are the main bird migration periods however there can also be some wonderful walking experiences in the winter.
Can I buy Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path merchandise?
Can I get a Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path National Trail completion certificate?
Our personalised Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path certificates are a great momento for anyone that has completed the trail.
Maps & Guidebooks
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Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path - reduced price copy
£ 11.99
£ 14.99
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Peddars Way & Norfolk Coast Path Merchandise
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£ 10.50
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Personalised National Trail Sign
£ 55.00
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£ 24.00
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Reviews for Walking the Norfolk Coast Path & Peddars Way
Check out what other walkers have to say about walking the Norfolk Coast Path and Peddars Way:
I chose the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path because I've always wanted to do a National Trail but felt I wasn't experienced enough to do a remote trail nor fit enough to do one with steep hills. Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path is lovely and flat but anything but boring! The countryside of Norfolk gets overlooked by the well known coastline but it is full of interesting villages and hedgelined pathways. The coast is a delight; Wells Next the Sea and Cromer being my favourite stop offs. As a bird lover I'm glad I took my binoculars, there was so much to see.
Stella Robinson