Peddars Way, Sherringham Park to Weybourne.

July 2011, A wet and windy day.

Start: Sherringham Park.  OS map OS252, Grid ref: TG135420

Distance:  7 miles round trip.  

Time:  3 hrs including lunch at Weybourne station.

We decided to visit Sherringham Park, a National Trust place near the coast with Weybourne on the way round.  Starting at the visitor centre in the park we walked along a wooded path following the markers along the way.  After about two miles we arrived via a short detour at the Weybourne train station.  This is now only used for pleasure trips nearby and when we visited there was a wedding taking place at the station with a meal on the train.  A lovely idea.

Sherringham Park

The train now arriving...

We met Mike, the station guard, who explained that all the staff dress in traditional uniform which adds to the atmosphere of the place along with the coal fired engines and steam.  It was like taking a trip back in time.  

Station guard Mike

Lunch time

The very enthusiastic controller...

We stopped for lunch here as it had started to rain and we didn't fancy the next leg of the walk, along the cliff tops, getting wet.  After lunch we set off into the village of Weybourne and then onto the North Norfolk Coastal path.  The Peddars Way is a 46 mile path starting at Knettishall heath, celebrating it's 25th anniversary this year.  It joins the Norfolk Coast path at Holme-next-the-sea near Hunstanton and carries on for 45 miles until Cromer, home of the Cromer crab.

Cliffs at Weybourne

Once on the cliffs we were afforded dramatic views so didn't mind the torrential downpour that arrived at the same time, so much for avoiding it!  On with the waterproofs and a soggy trek along the cliffs.  After the coastguards cottages you pick up the red markers again for the Sherringham park walk.  No photo's here for obvious reasons!

Once back in the park we decided to climb the many steps of the gazebo, but to be honest we were a little disappointed when we got to the top.  After that, it is a walk through the woods again passing the privately owned Sherringham Hall before reaching the temple where we stopped to contemplate the beauty around us.  Then on for the final climb through the woods. 

The Temple with Sherringham Hall in the distance

Jasper took this moment of distraction to roll face first in a cow pat!  A fresh one at that.  Great!  We ended up borrowing a jug of water from the visitor centre and hand soap from the toilets to try to give him an impromptu bath...lovely.  

'Do I look good in this?'

It was a good walk and we met lots of nice people along the way.  Shame about the weather, but so long as you have the correct clothing, nothing can faze you.

North Norfolk Coast Path

July 2011, A hot sunny day.

Start: Wells-next-the-sea.  OS map OS251, Grid ref: TF 914 430

Distance:  7 miles return walk.  

Time:  3.5 hrs including camera stops.

We started the walk at the beautiful town of Wells on the north Norfolk Coast path.  Wells is a small seaside town with a few arcades and the landmark granary with it's overhanging gantry.  Walking along beach mile we arrived at the lifeboat station where a little further along the beach we found dozens of bright coloured beach huts on the golden sands.  Some of the popular huts can fetch upwards of £64,000!

Beach huts all in a row

Well-next-the-sea, the granary to the left.

Our walk began at the harbour where we parked our car for £4 for the day.  Along the dockside we watched children catching brown crabs while the fishermen were bringing in the catch of the day, usually crab and lobster.  Further along we found some sheds where Billy a local lobster fisherman was making new lobster pots.  He explained that each one lasts about 5 years in the sea.  He has about 1600 of these pots out there and with lobster fetching upto £20 per kilo near Christmas, that's not a bad living, all be it a hard one.

Billy making a lobster pot

Following the path alongside the salt marshes is easy and well sign-posted.  On a hot day it can be quite tiring as there is no shade on the route.  Jasper did manage to find a bush to lie in while we stopped for a quick snack half-way along.  It took a lot of persuasion to get him out again.

One hot dog!

The Salt marshes.

It is truly a beautiful place to walk with butterflies fluttering in the hedgerows, and the perfect place for twitchers to watch the vast array of wild birds in the area such as Hen Harriers, Merlin and Peregrine. As you arrive at Blakeney point, where the same two wardens have watched over it for the last 50 years, it is a short walk inland to Stiffkey (pronounced Stookey) turning left at the main road, we found a lovely old pub for lunch and a bowl of fresh water for Jasper.  The meals are huge and home-made and the pub was a definite respite from the days sun.

The Red Lion at Stiffkey

Stiffkey is a lovely village where the houses are all made using the traditional Norfolk method of cladding them using flint stones taken from the shores.  It is also famous for it's blue shelled cockles called 'Stewkey Blues'.  They get their unique colour from the mud and can be found on the best tables around the world, but far better here at home.  On a more spooky note, Stiffkey is said to be the haunt of Black Shuck - a huge black hound reputed to be the inspiration for the 'Hound of the Baskervilles'.  It is supposed to roam the coastline terrorising its victims and is said to appear just before a close relative dies.

Waiting for the tide.

After lunch we headed back the way we had come stopping to pick some fresh samphire on the mud flats at Wells.  This salty veg, also known as poor mans asparagus, has been collected by the locals to sell for hundreds of years.  It is best served boiled with a knob of butter and some fresh crab or lobster.

Samphire

After stopping to see the catch of fresh lobster Billy has brought home, we head back into town for a well deserved cup of tea at one of the small tea shops along the narrow streets of Wells.  Jasper took the opportunity for a quick nap too.  A great walk even though it is only a small part of the North Norfolk Coast path.

Catch of the day.

Time for tea

Well Dressed In Derbyshire

4th June 2011, A beautifully sunny day.

Start: Callow Top Campsite 

Distance:  7 miles return walk.

Time:  3.5 hrs including cafe stop.

What a fantastic day for one of my favourite walks into the historic village of Tissington in Derbyshire.  The walk is an easy one down through the campsite and onto the Tissington Trail, a dis-used railway line.  From here it's a straightish path towards Tissington Village where during summer the annual Well Dressing ceremony takes place.  The village is still managed by the FitzHerbert family who have looked after the cottages and grounds for the last 400 years.  Sir Richard can often be seen around the village helping out with the tourist trade.  Here are some pictures of the event.  I'll let the pics do the talking.

Tissington Trail

Gateway to the village

Norman Church

Hall Well

Tissington Hall

This cottage date back to 865!

Each well dressing takes 300 hours to make

Only petals, leaves and foliage used.

The busy tea rooms in the old coach house

Norman font.

The coffin well

Best butchers on the planet!

I hope you enjoyed the village as much as we did.  Well dressings take place throughout Derbyshire villages during the summer months each year.  For a list of next years events check out http://welldressing.com but they won't be listed until next year.