Horsford Life
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Walking for health
The shock news is in: walking is great for your all round health and mental well-being.
Walking is good for your heart, burns calories, builds general fitness and yet is a relatively low impact exercise. A walk in the countryside can be a pure delight, bringing you closer to nature, inspiring your thoughts and stress-busting your life.
The following is a selection of local walks that you might enjoy on your own, with a loved one or with a group of like-minded friends.
This page remains a 'work-in-progress', so all walks may not have been completed when you take a look. Feel free to crack on with a walk anyway, and explore our roads, pavements and public footpaths - just don't go getting lost. If in doubt backtrack to your start point, and men shouldn't be afraid of asking for directions!
Know any great walks in the Horsford area?
Your responsibilities
HorsfordLife.com can accept no responsibility for the difficulty of walks, for road safety, for availability of parking or for the clear signposting of footpaths. Importantly, we cannot accept responsibility for your health and safety.
For your own safety, stick to footpaths where available and keep clear of oncoming traffic. Have a healthy respect for farm animals in your path, giving them or yapping dogs a wide berth.
If walking in inclement weather or darkness, light, bright or reflective clothing and even a torch may be appropriate. Always dress warmly and carry water to drink. Better to shed waterproofs and warm clothing as you heat up, rather than find yourself cold and wishing you had brought an extra layer along.
If you suffer from illness or injury, or have any doubts whatsoever about your ability to complete a walk, please speak with your GP first and follow their guidance before changing your exercise habits.
The Countryside Code
Norfolk countryside can be some of the most beautiful in England, but it can be spoilt by carelessness and inconsideration.
Please follow The Countryside Code:
* Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs
* Protect plants and animals, and take your litter home
* Keep dogs under close control, and dispose of dog mess responsibly
* Leave gates and property as you find them (unless it's obvious a gate should be closed)
* Consider other people
Walks in the Horsford area
Know any great walks in the Horsford area?
'The Dog Leg' (a short walk, paved/unpaved and sometimes slightly boggy)
Carefully cross the road from 'The Dog' public house and follow the pavement up the hill, along the Holt Road, towards Crown Junction. At the 'Spice of India' restaurant take a left onto Church Lane, keeping to the pavement on the left-hand side of the road. Just past All Saints Church/graveyard, take a left onto the drive of the 'Old Vicarage'. The footpath is well signposted from here. Take a right at the top of the drive, and a left shortly thereafter. At the bottom of the field pass through the first style and immediately left through the second style. Carry on straight ahead, through a couple more gates, and you'll find yourself back on the Holt Rd, opposite . . The Dog. Now, why not reward yourself with a drink and a snack!
'Horsford Castle' (a 2.5 mile walk, paved/unpaved and sometimes slightly boggy)
Horsford Castle is long gone, but a walk to its site can be quite pleasant and even atmospheric. Carefully cross the road from 'The Dog' public house and follow the pavement up the hill, along the Holt Road, towards Crown Junction. At the 'Spice of India' restaurant take a left onto Church Lane, keeping to the pavement on the left-hand side of the road. As you pass 'All Saints Church' the pavement ends, but continue along the road and up the hill past 'Hill Farm'.
After a few hundred yards, on the left hand-side of the road, you will come to a well signposted public footpath that leads along a farm track that between two high hedges. At the end of this track you'll find a gate to a grassy meadow with banks and mounds - the grounds of the old 'motte and bailey' castle. Look out for rabbit holes, standing water and boggy areas as you enjoy a gentle walk around the site. Return the way you came, and enjoy another drink and snack at The Dog!
'Horsford to Horsham St Faith' (a 4 mile, paved roundtrip)
Follow the pavement up the hill, along the Holt Road, towards Crown Junction. At the 'Spice of India' restaurant take a left onto Church Lane. Follow Church Lane, past 'All Saints Church', shortly after which you lose the pavement, and continue along the lane until you meet the busy A140 Cromer Road. Very carefully cross the A140 and continue on into Horsham St. Faith.
Why not enjoy a welcome drink and meal in the 'Black Swan Inn', which is a Broadland Life Card scheme member, before heading back the way you came. Or perhaps plan a visit to the 'City of Norwich Aviation Museum' charity, where they usually have a small cafe open (ring ahead to ensure that the museum cafe is open on the day of your visit.
Black Swan Inn: Website: www.blackswaninn.co.uk or Telephone: 01603 897787.
City of Norwich Aviation Museum charity: Website: www.cnam.co.uk or Telephone: 01603 893080.
'The Brickmakers Loop' (a 3.5 mile walk, paved/unpaved and sometimes slightly boggy)
(incomplete instructions)
From 'Horsford Brickmakers' public house, walk south through the village until you reach Dog Lane on the right (by 'The Dog' public house). Walk to the very end of Dog Lane, where it ends to become a dirt track. There is a final bungalow on the right, through whose land passes the public footpath. Why not take the opportunity here to pick up some veg or eggs from the stall (they often have duck and guinea fowl eggs available). . . . . . . continue along the unpaved Pyehurn Lane until you rejoin the Holt Road at Horsford Medical Practice, between the zebra crossing and 'The Brickmakers'. Treat yourself to a drink and a bar snack at The Brickmakers. Or why not plan your walk to rest your tired feet and enjoy a meal at their 'Country Boy Restaurant'.
Check their website for restaurant opening times and menu, and consider booking a table on 01603 891471.
'The Green Lane Triangle' (a 2.5 mile walk, paved/unpaved and sometimes slightly boggy)
You can start this simple walk from anywhere in the village, but it works particularly well from 'Horsford Brickmakers' public house or from the Horsford Woods car park. If starting at 'Horsford Brickmakers', face south on the Holt Road and turn immediately left onto Mill Lane. Pass the Junior School on your left and continue past the end of the paved road and onto the dirt footpath alongside the wood. A hundred yards or so down the footpath you will reach a footpath T-junction. If you take the track to the right for just a few yards there is a small pond nature area that can be a nice spot for a rest, a picnic or simply to enjoy the birdlife and dragonflies. But we're taking a left at that T-junction so, when you're ready, take that left footpath until you join the paved Green Lane. Continue along Green Lane until you meet the Holt Road (Horsford Woods car park is on the right). Take a left at the Holt Road and continue along the pavement until you return to 'Horsford Brickmakers'. Give yourself a breather, and enjoy a refreshing drink!
'Horsford Woods' (unpaved, sometimes slightly boggy)
The Horsford Woods car park is located at the end of Green Lane, at its crossroads with Holt Road and Haveringland Road. If you're not driving then the Horsford Brickmakers, or even further back into the village to The Dog, are great places to start and finish your walk.
For further information follow this link.
Other sources of information on area walks
Broadland District Council advise that a series of leaflets promoting Broadland walks are available.
Visit the information on their website.
Explore Britain OS map of Horsford here.
Know any great walks in the Horsford area?