This lovely early autumn walk takes in a stretch of the Marriott’s Way and Whitwell and Reepham Station
1. From the car park leave by the back turning left on the footpath. Cross the road taking the footpath to the right down to Oland’s Road. Turn left at the main road. Cross. Bear right then left to the fingerpost for the Marriott’s Way. Go under the bridge passing the old Reepham Station. Carry on along the old railway. You will come to steps. Off to your left at the Rookery there is a nice large area of water to the left. Follow the field edge path to a marker post. Go through the gate. Follow the path at the end of the paddock. You pass through another gate. Cross the bridge. Follow the path to join the track.
2. Turn right and follow Catchback Lane to the road. Turn right taking the track opposite the cottages. At the corner follow to the end. At the house turn left. Follow this to another track. Turn right. Follow to the marker post for the Marriott's Way. Turn right, then left. Just after the bridge you come to Whitwell Station. Refreshments and toilets are available here. On leaving the station turn left. Just before the bridge there are steps down to the road. Follow the road uphill at the junction
3. If wanting the shorter walk to go straight on up Mill Road. Just before the farm there is a bridleway to the right. Follow this to rejoin main walk at (4).
The main walk turns right passing Eade’s Mill. Turn left following the road to the junction. Cross and take track ahead. Follow until you meet Cawston Lane. Take the footpath through the woods to the enclosed path that comes to a small road. Go ahead through the gate following to the steps. Follow the path to the road. Take the path ahead. Follow, crossing a pleasant stream. Be careful - the step at the end is not too good. Go ahead to the gate.
4. Bear right. Follow the road to the sharp left corner. The footpath goes straight ahead - it’s sometimes hidden by cars parked on the corner. Follow to the barriers. Turn right then left into the churchyard. The church is usually open. Turn left. This will bring you to the Market Square. There is a narrow path beside the butcher’s shop that will take you back to the car park.
COMPASS POINTS
START: Station Road car park
DISTANCE: Main walk mile 6 miles/9.8km, shorter walk 4.8 miles/7.7km
GRID REFERENCE: TG0994 2299
NEAREST POSTCODE: NR10 4LN
WHAT3WORDS: slowly.define.kiosk
POINTS OF INTEREST
Reepham Station itself was constructed on the Great Eastern Railway line to the north of the town, with a station building, large goods shed and a number of sidings. The buildings, apart from the signal box, are still extant and have been converted into commercial premises. The site of the signal box may relate to a section of brick and concrete foundations by the side of the track on the approach to the station, and the station site also has earthwork banks which may relate to the sidings.
Whitwell Station is the last Midland and Great Northern station on the Marriott’s Way, and the surviving station building is identical in character to the other stations along the line. The station originally had two sidings, a goods shed and cattle pens in addition to the main station building and platforms. The station has recently been restored and reopened to the public as the Whitwell and Reepham Railway. It was known as Whitwell and Reepham Station on the Midland and Great Northern Railway, allowing passengers to disembark for Reepham.
Near Whitwell Station is a memorial of Carrara marble by Les Bicknell and Keith Rackham. The column is inscribed with the battlefields of the Somme. The column is broken at the top in commemoration of the men killed at the sites of the First World War battles carved on the front to serve as a reminder that the rail network was used for the mobilisation of the troops. There is also a symbolic poppy carved at the base.
Marriott's Way is a 26-mile footpath, bridleway and cycle route which follows the routes of two disused railway lines, running between Aylsham and Norwich.
The route is named after the chief engineer and manager of the Midland and Great Northern Railway system William Marriott.
The Dial House
Taken on by new owners last year, the 400-year-old red-brick Dial House is now home to a branch of much-loved bakery Bread Source, where you can pick up its famous sourdough and cinnamon buns. There is also the cosy Laid Back Wine Bar, serving local wines and Ampersand Brewery beers, Country Salon hairdressers, Orange Grove Clinic for beauty and wellness treatments and eight eclectically designed B&B rooms.
