Knapton

Charles and Joy Boldero splash their way along a 12-mile walk around Knapton.

The weather has been playing havoc with our walking! After the heavy rain during this 12-mile walk, we found paths flooded and in some places had to find alternative tracks. Aside from that, the paths were good and well-signed, with no stiles, though the rain has produced rapid growth. We parked in the free Paston Way car park at Old Hall Street which is situated on a minor road two miles north-east of North Walsham.

We crossed the road and went along the narrow path opposite, Paston Way, between fences. At the end, we went diagonally right across the fields, then through a hedge gap into a hedged track, turning right along it.

After 50yds, we turned left at a yellow marker along a field edge to a country lane, turning left along it. We ignored a path right plus road turning right. At a footpath sign we went left, diagonally across the field, crossing the track and going along the path opposite with hedge on the right. It crossed an iron bridge over an old railway line.

We went between concrete posts and across the field towards houses then on a mown path between hedges. We turned left along the street in Knapton. We went over the cross-roads, signed B1145. At a grass triangle we turned right along a country lane to Trunch.

Keeping the Crown Inn on our left we took the narrow path and went through the churchyard, leaving by the far gate and crossing a road to the footpath opposite between fences. At the road we ignored the lane back left and went left along the lane, passing a footpath sign on the right.

Continuing along the 'Quiet Lane', we passed white cottages on the right. Just after a footpath sign on the left we took the signed footpath right between high banks, then along the field edge.

We went left along the country lane, ignoring a bridleway route right. Just after a farm on the left we went left at a sign along a tree-lined track, diverting into the field for a short way to avoid the flood! At the junction of tracks by a barn, we turned right going through gates. Where the track went left, we kept right along a narrow signed path. At a country lane we turned left, then took the first right then first left, 'Quiet Lane'. At the T-junction we went right to the Suffield Arms and then retraced our steps, turning left along the 'Quiet Lane'. At the signs on the left we turned right through the hedge gap, walking along a tree-lined track. At the country lane, opposite old school, we went left, going over the cross roads.

After the white gates we went right at a finger-post sign through the hedge gap and followed round two sides of the field edge later passing a house on the right. At a junction of tracks, we went sharp right, then turned left along the country lane.

Immediately before the level crossing we turned left along a country lane. Then at a grass triangle we kept left, passing St Giles' Church on the left. At a T-junction we went left, then at the next one right. At the next T-junction we went left along the 'Quiet Lane'. Where it went sharp left we continued ahead along the signed tree-lined track. We crossed the road going slightly left to a footpath sign opposite. We went down the field edge with a hedge on the right, then crossed the field between the crop. We crossed the track and kept ahead along the grass track. Where it went right to houses, we kept ahead at a sign and crossed the road to the sign opposite. We followed the field edge path, turning right along the country lane back to the car park.

t PLACES OF INTEREST:

1. In Knapton, or 'Knapatone' as it was once known, pieces of flint tools, scrapers and what are known as 'pot boilers' have been found by Hall Lane, but it's uncertain when the first settlers lived there.

St Peter & St Paul church has a handsome 14th century tower topped by a weather vane based on a drawing by Norwich School artist John Sell Cotman. The church boasts one of the best roofs in Norfolk, a double hammer beam one with 138 angels! The font is 13th century Purbeck marble resting on shafts. It is worth popping into this church.

2. Trunch is another lovely rural village. The Rose & Crown was not open when we passed by. However we know it serves real ales and has a good menu to offer the traveller. St Botolph's Church also has a fine hammer beam roof adorned with angels. The font is 15th century and richly carved.

3. Southrepps Common covers a large area and many wild flowers, grasses, reeds and woodland grow there. A board walk around this lovely area means it is accessible for those in wheelchairs. The rare plants attract butterflies, dragonflies and lizards.

4. The Suffield Arms was full of folk enjoying one of the many excellent choices on the menu board. We received a friendly welcome and Charles enjoyed his pint of Suffield Arms best bitter.

5. St Giles Church, Bradfield, is tucked away. It has a fine perpendicular tower dominating its surroundings. Inside it is basically 14th century, but there was much 'rebuilding during the 18th century'. There are brass memorials to John Tebald and his wife Agnes, dated 1490; also Margaret and Thomas Heins, 1534, and John Tebald 1506. Over the chancel arch is the remains of a medieval painting.

t MAP REFERENCES:

OS Landranger 133, Explorer 252:

301331, 306330, 309329, 314335, 310338, 308341, 288348, 285349, 279350, 281355, 273359, 270352, 262354, 258354, 256352 Inn, 258353, 260350, 263347, 260338, 258338, 260334, 280338, 286340, 298338, 304337, 301331.