This walk starts at the Almshouses at the North Gates entrance into Holkham Park. It is approximately a four mile walk transversing woods, farmland and the Deer Park. At the Almshouses, turn left into Fuchsia Walk. Go through the large gate leaving the Deer Park behind. Please remember to close the gate. Note the Holkham emblem on the gate of the ostrich with the horseshoe in its mouth. Continue along this track for approx. one mile until you reach a grass clearing on your left and a crossroads ahead of you. Continue over the crossroads onto the narrow track with fields to the left and grazing land to the right. Redstarts can be frequently seen here along the hedgerows either side of the track. At the next crossroads, go straight over Golden Gates Drive and follow the track with the wood on your left and fields on your right. Turn right at the next junction, with fields on either side until you reach the Broom Covert Wood ahead of you. Follow the track round to the left, with the Great Barn Wood on your right until you reach the Great Barn itself. Bear to the right here leaving the wood behind you. It is at this point on the right that you will have your first glimpse of Holkham Hall in the distance. At the crossroads with the Avenue, turn right up to the Obelisk. Past the Obelisk, at the cattle grid, you can re-enter the Deer Park by the gate to the left of the grid. Please remember again to close the gate. The front of Holkham Hall is now only a short distance away. To complete this walk, continue on the main drive past the north side of the Hall, the Estate Office, Bygones Museum, Pottery Shop and Stables Café and back along the main entrance drive to the Almshouses at the North Gates. www.holkham.co.uk
The Norfolk Coast Path
runs from Hunstanton to Cromer. It takes in the dunes, saltmarshes, several nature reserves and rugged cliff line, for a total of 47 miles. The path was newly created in 1986 by improving existing paths and linking them with new ones. The 36 miles from Holme to Weybourne is designated a site of Special Scientific Interest and a Special Area of Conservation, two of the highest conservation awards Britain and the European Community can bestow upon an area. Much of the trail is barrier free for equal access, making it suitable for people with a disability. The entire coast path is accessible from the Coastliner Bus Service, details available from Traveline Tel: 0870 6082608 Website: www.travelineeastanglia.org.uk Buses stop outside Holkham Post Office.
The Peddars Way
is an ancient and historic route based on a Roman military road built to control the Iceni people after the tribal revolt led by Queen Boudicca in AD.61. It covers 46 miles from Knetishall heath Country Park in Suffolk to Holme on the North Norfolk coast. It winds through the varied and picturesque countryside of heathland, forestry plantations and farmland mostly on grassy tracks and field paths, until it reaches the coastline of Holme. It is at this point that it joins up with the Norfolk Coast Path.