This is a route I’ve taken from the Ramblers book of walks ‘North Norfolk Central – Coast and Country’. The walk is titled Hellhoughton & The Raynhams.
Starting from All Saints Church in Hellhoughton the route leads through the upper reaches of the River Wensum and takes in part of the Raynham Estate. The star of the show was, as always, the stunning Norfolk countryside! The route skirts along the edge of Raynham Park then heads east to East Raynham. After a further eastward trek along a minor road we headed south towards Norman’s Burrow Wood the site of a Viking burial! it’s here where we crossed back over the River Wensum and towards South Raynham. A village which can trace its origins back and before the Domesday survey of 1086 when the village was known as Reinham.
‘Cows with calves’ & ‘Bull in the field’ signs greeted us as we walked through pastures lining the West Bank of the river! Always a disconcerting sight when out wandering the lush pastures of Norfolk but we were very grateful NOT to encounter anything more dangerous than a few Horseflies 😮
The way meandered through West Raynham and then struck north through the most amazing crop of maize I’ve ever seen with a straight path leading towards the the far horizon. From here it was a leisurely stroll down a shingle road dotted with quaint cottages and the odd ‘Showmans Wagon’ back to Hellhoughton.
All in all a fantastic 6.5 miles – all that was missing was a good pub. We quickly rectified this but driving 4.5 miles into Great Massingham where our thirsts were gratefully quenched at The Dabbling Duck… ‘almost normal’!
