The Best Walks in Norwich and Norfolk

The Best Walks in Norwich and Norfolk

by Katie Thompson

Here in Norwich and Norfolk, there’s no shortage of lovely places for a walk- whether it’s a relaxing stroll or an invigorating breath of fresh air. With so many routes to choose from (that are equally as good for budding cyclists), your walk can be as short or as long as you make it. How about a walking holiday to take it all in? 

So, get your steps in, drink in our famous Norfolk panoramas (without trekking up too many hills!) and spend some quality time with friends and family. Whether you’re rambling the Norfolk Coast Path, admiring flowers and wildlife in the Broads, or roaming peaceful trails just a stone’s throw from the city centre, keep reading for our favourite walks in Norwich and Norfolk!

Norwich 

Riverside Walk 

Norwich’s verdant riverside walk is perfect for a dose of nature in our fine city

From the old Bullards Brewery to St James’ Mill, past Cow Tower and along towards Norwich City Football Club, the river Wensum flows through our fine city.    

You can follow its meandering riverside path past some of our iconic landmarks. In spring and summer, luscious greenery lines the riverbanks and weeping willows trail in the rippling water. When it’s colder, wrap up and enjoy the crunch of crisp leaves underfoot. Across the year, swans swim alongside paddleboarders, kayakers and boats. 

While You’re Here: Stop for a riverside refreshment at The Lions’ Den River. Whether it’s a zingy homemade lemonade, indulgent hot chocolate or smooth matcha, take a moment to relax.

UEA Broad 

UEA’s Broad is dotted with sculptures

UEA’s luscious campus boasts the prestigious Green Flag Award, taking you through reeds and rushes to the Yare Valley and Marston Marshes. (The boardwalk is currently undergoing restoration so more of us can immerse ourselves in the site’s rich biodiversity.)  

Open all year round, wildlife trails around the Broad showcase Norfolk’s natural habitats, trees, and species. The wetland is home to bats, otters and even non-native terrapins! Listen closely to the thrum of insects and songs of willow warblers. And in mid spring, its woodland is blanketed in the brilliant violet of bluebells. 

While You’re Here: Explore the Sainsbury Centre’s Sculpture Park (FREE) and find pieces by names like Antony Gormley, Elisabeth Frink and Henry Moore dotted across the natural landscape.

Taverham Mill 

Taverham Mill’s nature reserve boasts varied landscapes and plenty of wildlife

Northwest of Norwich, Taverham Mill (adults £6, children £4) is a picturesque, dog friendly, 100-acre nature reserve with a thriving trail through woodland, grassland and wildflower meadows. Stroll along fishing lakes and past a mill pool and old weir, listening to the rush of water. This varied landscape immerses you in nature every day of the year, from frosted fields to a patchwork of colourful blooms. 

Here, you’ll spot birds of prey soaring overhead, freshwater fish and butterflies flitting from flower to flower. Keep watch for kingfishers in summer and, in springtime, meet Taverham Mill’s friendly (and shaggy!) Highland cattle. 

While You’re Here: In warmer months, hire a canoe to see Taverham Mill from the water (2 people, £25 for 45 mins; 3 people, £30 for 45 mins). See how much wildlife you can spot in this beautiful nature reserve!

Whitlingham Country Park 

Stroll around the perimeter of Whitlingham’s peaceful Broad

Just a few miles east from Norwich city centre- you can get there in 30 minutes on the Charcoal bus line- is Whitlingham Country Park. 

Here, you can walk the 2-mile loop around the park’s Broad, which is dotted with benches and bird watching spots. On summer days, admire the placid waters, while in the winter months listen to the slapping of sails going by on the River Yare. If you want to make your walk a little longer, follow trails to Whitlingham and Trowse Woods before a snack in the sun outside the café. 

While You’re Here: Reward yourself with a warming roast, stone baked pizza or locally brewed beer at nearby Redwell Brewery. Take a seat in their working taproom or sunny beer garden!

Norfolk 

Fairhaven Woodland & Water Garden 

Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is perfect for flower spotting all year round

With nearly 4 miles of accessible woodland walks, Fairhaven Woodland and Water Garden is a great spot to visit in the Norfolk Broads (adults £12.50, children £5.95).   

During the colder months, Fairhaven is a go-to for snowdrops thanks to its 130 acres of ancient woodland. The garden’s eclectic mix of wild and cultivated plants means that the rest of the year you can see bluebells, rhododendron, azaleas, and more. Not to mention rare birds only found in the Broads and ancient King and Queen oaks.  

So, take a seat on their carved benches and embrace the serenity of our natural landscape. 

While You’re Here: Enjoy a boat trip gliding across the waters of Fairhaven’s private Broad, heading towards the River Bure and past the historic ruins of St Benet’s Abbey (adults from £7.50, children from £4.95, daily, March – October).

Pensthorpe 

Pensthorpe’s wildflower meadow is home to over 80 species of grass and flora

If you’re venturing into North Norfolk, Pensthorpe is ideal for exploring the great outdoors- whether you’re a bird watcher, wildlife enthusiast or garden grower (from £10.95pp). With over 700 acres to explore, you can spot everything from dragonflies to wading birds and farm animals. There are 4 different trails to follow, ranging from less than 1 mile to 1.5 miles. 

If you visit early in the year, swathes of snowdrops blanket Pensthorpe’s Wave Garden, while their wildflower meadow is vital for all types of local wildlife from January to December. 

While You’re Here: Embrace the ethereal sounds of Pensthorpe’s Biosonification Garden (East Anglia’s first!) where Norfolk-native plants’ electrical signals are transformed into ever-changing tunes.

Holkham 

Holkham offers a whole host of walks- including on the beach and across the Estate

Holkham is home to windswept sands and is part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that supports rare species of birds, flora, and fauna. 

We suggest a circular walk to nearby Wells-next-the-Sea. Here, you’ll wander through the sweet-smelling pinewoods, past pastel beach huts, and along the unspoiled landscape of Holkham beach. (And there’s a café at each end for well-deserved refreshments!) 

If you’re lucky, you might spot a seal bobbing in the sea or, at the right time in summer, be treated to the Household Cavalry galloping past.    

While You’re Here: In Holkham’s sprawling parkland, spot the Estate’s elegant fallow deer herd before discovering the 7-acre walled garden, home to vineries, greenhouses, ornamental gardens and more (adults £7, children £1, March – November). 

On the first Tuesday of each month, Walking Women brings together likeminded women for a safe and welcoming walk along the beach (FREE).

Cromer 

Break up your walk in Cromer with refreshment on the pier (with a view!)

As part of the Deep History Coast, Cromer is not only a stunning spot to walk, but one boasting fossils from Neanderthal times!  

With both pebbled and sandy stretches, enjoy a relaxed stroll along the beach. Walk east alongside the waves until you reach the end of the beach huts, where, if you look closely, you’ll discover a work by Banksy!  

We suggest looping to East Runton in the west to extend your route, where you can see cliffs and rockpools (did you know the Norfolk coast is home to flourishing chalk and oyster reefs?), or follow the Weavers Way east all the way to Great Yarmouth. 

While You’re Here: It wouldn’t be a trip to Cromer without stepping onto Cromer Pier! Whilst you’re on this iconic Norfolk landmark, why not try your hand at crabbing? Or tuck into fish and chips as you look out to the endless blue horizon.

Walking Routes 

Marriott’s Way is one of many miles-long routes from Norwich across Norfolk

Elsewhere in Norfolk, we’ve got loads of lovely places to walk- and all year round, too. This includes miles-long routes through our beautiful countryside like Marriott’s Way (26 miles from Norwich to Aylsham along disused railway lines), Walsingham Way (36 miles from Norwich to Walsingham, part of the UK’s Camino Ingles), and Boudicca Way (36 miles from Norwich to Diss, parallel to the old Roman Pye road). You can see vivid greens in late spring and early summer, hear the crunch of crisp golden leaves in autumn, and embrace the invigorating openness of wide winter skies.   

Elsewhere, The Goat Shed hold a monthly walk on the first Monday of the month through the nearby Norfolk countryside, aptly named ‘Hoof It Around Honingham’. Whilst in Breckland, there are miles of paths to follow through the pines of Thetford Forest (where you can make a day of your visit to with Go Ape’s thrilling Treetop Adventure tackling sky-high obstacles on this exhilarating course). 

And if you time it right, you’ll be treated to wonderful arrays of colourful flowers. Honourable mentions include Blickling, Oxburgh, and Raveningham Halls and Walsingham Abbey for snowdrops, Foxley Wood (a half an hour drive from Norwich) for bluebells, and Sandringham and Sheringham Country Park for rhododendrons.

While You’re Here: Opt for a route that starts or finishes (or loops back around) to Norwich, where you can fuel your walk with a fresh pastry and a coffee or reward yourself with a riverside drink and delicious market food.