Free Guided Walks to Discover Norfolk’s Wonders This Autumn
Are you looking for new ways to get out and about this autumn? Join our free guided walks and explore the Halvergate Marshes with local experts!
The Halvergate Marshes, located between the uplands in the West around Reedham, Halvergate, Acle and Great Yarmouth in the East are the largest section of drained marshes in the area, a defining characteristic of the Broads landscape.
Two thousand years ago, this area was a vast estuary made up of mudflats, creeks and rivers that flooded at high tide. Over time, water levels dropped, and people began to drain the landscape for grazing. This landscape is mostly below sea level, and over the last several centuries local people have been draining the marshes by cutting ditches and dykes and using engineering solutions to pump the water off the marshes to keep them from flooding. Today the Halvergate Marshes are a haven for wildlife, and it is also a fertile grazing ground for horses, cattle and sheep, who enjoy the milder weather of Norfolk and nutritious grasses fed by the high-water table and peaty soils. The marshes offer vast panoramic views and is a perfect spot to escape the busy city located only a few miles away.
Discover what the Halvergate Marshes have to offer:
Start/Finish
The guided walk will start at Berney Arms railway station on Sunday 13 Nov 2022 at 10:30am. Take the train from Norwich or Great Yarmouth to reach Berney Arms railway station. Berney Arms railway station is a request-stop only so please let the conductor know you intend to depart there upon getting on the train. Please note there is no road access to reach Berney Arms Railway Station and we advise you to travel by train to reach Berney Arms station.
Berney Arms receives a very limited train service so please check timetables and journey planners on Greater Anglia’s website before travelling to or from this station. You should be aware that the station itself is only accessible by boat or by walking a considerable distance off-road and across fields, and Greater Anglia advise not to use this station if you use a wheelchair or a mobility scooter. The group will aim to reach Reedham by 2:30pm.
Return to your destination from Reedham railway station.
Access Information
The route follows the Wherryman’s Way footpath along the floodbank of the River Yare. Although there are no major climbs, please be aware that the footpath is grassy and uneven in places. Access to the upper floors of Polkey’s Mill is by steps up steep ladders. The walk is 8.5 km / 5.5 miles long (approx.) Please note, there are no public facilities on the route until you reach Reedham.
Other notes
The group will stop at Polkey’s Mill for lunch, please bring your own food and drink. There are no shops or public houses until you reach Reedham.
To sign-up for this walk please click here.
This event is organised by the EXPERIENCE project which is funded by INTERREG France Channel England via the European Regional Development Fund.
Start/Finish
The guided walk will start at Berney Arms railway station on Sunday 4 December 2022 at 10.30am and will finish back at Berney Arms station at 2pm.
Take the train from Norwich or Great Yarmouth to reach Berney Arms railway station. Berney Arms railway station is a request-stop only so please let the conductor know you intend to depart there upon getting on the train. Please note there is no road access to reach Berney Arms Railway Station and we advise you to travel by train to reach Berney Arms station.
Berney Arms receives a very limited train service so please check timetables and journey planners on Greater Anglia’s website before travelling to or from this station. You should be aware that the station itself is only accessible by boat or by walking a considerable distance off-road and across fields, and Greater Anglia advise not to use this station if you use a wheelchair or a mobility scooter.
Access Information
The route follows the Wherryman’s Way footpath through grazing marshland and along the floodbank of the River Yare. Although there are no major climbs, please be aware that the footpath is grassy and uneven in places and may be quite muddy. The walk is 6.5 km / 4 miles long (approx.) Please note, there are no public facilities on the route.
Other notes
The group will stop at Berney Arms Windmill for lunch, please bring your own food and drink.
To sign-up for this walk please click here.
This event is organised by the EXPERIENCE project which is funded by INTERREG France Channel England via the European Regional Development Fund.
This walk around Berney Arms is also available all year round as a self-guided walk!
Find out more: Marshland, Mudflats and Mills Wildlife Walk – Be Norfolk
