Norfolk walk: Royal Wolferton and surrounding countryside

A walk from Dersingham Bog Nature Reserve, onto Wolferton Railway Station and Sandringham Warren.

The royal station at Wolferton. (Image: Ian Burt) THE WALK

1. From the car park continue downhill into the village. Pass the village sign depicting a wolf and continue to the now defunct level crossing of Wolferton Railway Station. Carry along to a grass triangle in front of one of the royal studs. The buildings are still in use as an indoor riding school once used to teach the royal children. Keep bearing left, passing the Wolferton Club on the left. Continue on a gentle left curve to eventually re-cross the old railway at an old, gated crossing, now a cottage. Just past the crossing is Wolferton Church.

The royal station at Wolferton. (Image: Matthew Usher) 2. Go through the gate and walk round the church, which is usually open. Leave by the other gate. Turn left then right to carry on along the road, keeping straight ahead at the T-junction. Behind the stone wall on the left is the Old Rectory. At the xcissors crossroads turn sharp left and in a short distance take the marked path on the right leading onto the nature reserve. If taking the shorter walk go straight on to (4).

Dersingham Bog nature reserve. (Image: Ian Burt) 3. Enter the reserve and turn right to follow the Le Hairs Hike. Follow the trail, marked by red rings on posts, as it winds through the trees. At a major cross path go straight, following the path to the right that will take you around the bog then return to the path you came up. At the junction bear right following the path between the bog and Sandringham Warren. This will take you downhill to where the short walk rejoins the main walk

Bog Asphodel. (Image: Peter James) 4. Carry on to the boardwalk off to your right the boardwalk has been constructed to enable visitors to have a close-up view of some of the rare plants in the bog without damaging the sensitive environment. Among the more interesting plants growing in the boggy area is the sundew. This tiny red plant lives in the acid bog where nitrogen is fixed by the acidity. In order to survive the plant has modified its leaves into fly traps which close over visiting insects and adsorb the nitrogen from the dead bodies. Also present is the bog asphodel with its yellow flowers in early summer, sphagnum moss and cranberries.

After visiting the boardwalk follow the path up the steps. Near the top the path turns right, but by keeping straight ahead the path leads to a seat in memory of singer John Denver, placed there by Friends of John Denver UK. The right turn follows along what was many thousands of years ago the sea cliffs. Looking over to the right the sea is visible, and the large area of reclaimed land is now farmed by the royal estate. Follow the path back to the car park.

COMPASS POINTS

START: At the car park for Dersingham Bog National Nature Reserve

DISTANCE: Main walk: 4.5 miles/7.5km; shorter walk: 2.6 miles/4.5km

GRID REFERENCE: TF 6627 2840

NEAREST POSTCODE: PE31 6HF

WHAT3WORDS: vote.unless.prepped

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POINTS OF INTEREST

Sandringham House. (Image: Getty Images) Sandringham Estate

There is so much to see and do on the royal estate. Sandringham Country Park is open daily for free with two waymarked trails through the woodland. .Sandringham Game and Country Fair is coming up on September 7-8, featuring falconry, scurry driving, gun dog displays, jousting and sheepdog displays, plus a craft village and lots of tasty food and drink. Other events coming up this autumn include forest bathing sessions, guided nature walks, and the return of the Luminate Sandringham after dark light trail. sandringhamestate.co.uk

The royal station at Wolferton. (Image: Matthew Usher) Wolferton Station

Wolferton, on the royal Sandringham Estate, has more gems of historic or natural beauty than places much larger. The King’s Lynn to Hunstanton branch line was opened in 1862 and was used by members of the Royal Family visiting Sandringham until its closure in 1969. Today the station is the private residence of railways enthusiast Richard Brown who has lovingly restored the crossing gates, one of the platforms and the signal box and now encourages visitors to enjoy this historic setting. The gates are normally opened about 11am and open until about 6pm. Visitors are encouraged to visit and photograph the station and the exhibits in his small museum completely free of charge.

St Peter's Church, Wolferton (Image: Denise Bradley) St Peter's Church

The church dates back to the landing of St Felix, who brought the gospel to East Anglia when he landed at Babingley in 636AD. The first church had timber frames before the present walls were built in the 14th century. The church is regularly used by the Royal Family during their stays at Sandringham.

PLACE TO EAT

Nearby Snettisham is a west Norfolk foodie hotspot. As well as its delicious menu, the Rose and Crown is also a fabulous place to stay. It has 16 stylish bedrooms, with decor inspired by its coastal location - and was named Editor's Choice pub with rooms 2024 by the Good Hotel Guide. The village is also home to The Old Bank, which has been listed in the Michelin Guide since 2019. And the Old Store microbakery is loved for its sourdough, coffee and amazing brunch menu.

As well as the award-winning Rose and Crown in Snettisham the village also has The Old Bank, which was named the country’s best local restaurant by the Good Food Guide in 2019. It offers imaginative and impressive longer and shorter taster menus and a lavish Sunday lunch.

Only two Norfolk restaurants have a Michelin star – and The Neptune at Old Hunstanton is one of them. Advance booking essential for this small restaurant which specialises in sublime seafood (and has rooms for overnight stays too.)

The Duck Inn at Stanhoe is another gastro-pub renowned for menus packed with beautifully-cooked local produce

GET RAMBLING

Norfolk Ramblers welcomes new members. If you are interested in walking in the company of like-minded people, visit norfolkra.org.uk or call 07505 426750. For queries about this walk, phone 07905 565740. Norfolk Ramblers has established a footpath working group to do some path cutting and general maintenance. We try to make sure that all the paths in these walks are fit to walk, but if you encounter a problem please tell us. Contact Peter James at pdjames.ramb@ntlworld.com; 07905 565740