Norfolk’s coastal communities grow up with their eyes on the sea and its promise of adventure. Some make history. You’ll know Admiral Lord Nelson, but how about Captain Richard Woodget?

Woodget went to sea aged 16, later becoming master of the Coldstream, a ship built in 1845, year of his birth. Impressed with Woodget’s skilful handling of the ageing ship, owner Jock Willis made him Master of the extreme clipper ship, the Cutty Sark, named after a line in Tam O’Shanter, a Robert Burns poem.

Clippers have a sharp bow, designed to cut through the waves and between 1885 and 1895 Woodget set several record-breaking times on the passage between Sydney and London. In her time as a merchant ship, Cutty Sark was crewed by men from over 30 countries and journeyed the equivalent of two and a half voyages to the moon and back.

Woodget had been baptised at St. Margaret’s Church in Burnham Norton, married at St. Clement’s Church in Burnham Overy Town and eventually retired to Flagstaff House in Burnham Overy Staithe in 1899. He died in 1928 and is buried at Burnham Norton. Home is the sailor, home from the sea.

This stunning circular walk follows in Captain Woodget’s footsteps through three of the ‘Seven Burnhams’. And of course stops at The Hero pub, named in honour of another seafaring local boy, Admiral Lord Nelson. You may have heard of him.