This walk from Ann Curran, Jill Donley and Penny Watkin makes use of public footpaths on field edges, quiet country lanes and a permissive path (available to the end of September 2012).

Alburgh is a small village near Harleston in South Norfolk and close to the boundary with Suffolk. The area is rich in archaeological finds, the earliest evidence of occupation dating to the Neolithic period.

The village name is thought to mean 'old mound or hill' and the settlement developed into a linear village with buildings lining the road.

All Saints' Church, Alburgh, is medieval with a 14th century painted screen, which was restored in 1988.

The authors have used the word 'ligger' on several occasions: this is a local word indicating a crossing over a ditch or stream usually in the form of a plank bridge.

Refreshments are available in the nearby villages of Wortwell and Homersfield.

Leaving the Village Hall car park, turn right along the road. At the junction turn right again (signed to Denton). Follow the road round a right bend towards the church. Just before reaching the church go over a stile on the left under a big ash tree. Follow the path to a field edge crossing path and turn left along it. At the end of the hedge go past a solitary tree and forward on a clearly visible path through the crop.

Continue ahead beside a ditch. Cross a ligger, then turn left and continue to a lane. Go obliquely right across the lane to a finger post and follow the path with a ditch and a line of trees on the left. Ignore a path on the left at the end of the line of trees. Go forward with a ditch on the left. Ignore a well-trodden path on the left and, opposite it, turn right beside a ditch going slightly downhill towards trees. Cross a ligger to reach a lane.

Turn left along the lane, which bends rightwards. Immediately after going over a small bridge with railings on each side of the lane, turn left into the permissive path with a steep bank down on the left. Ignore a footbridge and hand rail on the left. Go forward over another footbridge. Continue forward through a gap and keep ahead with the hedge on the right. Pass a small pit. Continue forward, still with the hedge on the right, to reach a lane (Wash Lane) near Darrow Green.

Turn left along the lane, which bends left and then right. At the T-junction, turn left along Broad Road (signed to Wortwell). After about a third of a mile, at a bend in the road, turn right into a lane (signed to Starston). Ignore Burntoak Lane on the right. At the next junction, follow the lane to the right signed to Starston. Ignore a lane (Bungaygrave Lane) on the right. Then, at the next junction, turn left (signed to Harleston and Redenhall).

After passing the buildings of Oaklands Farm and a small wood, at the far corner of the wood turn left into an opening beside a large oak tree. Walk on the field edge with the hedge on the right. At the field corner cross a wide ligger and turn right. Follow the field edge. Cross another ligger and keep right between trees to reach a lane in Coldham Green.

Turn left along the lane. Pass the entrances to Coldham Hall and the farmyard. The immediately turn right, almost opposite the farm, at a finger post. Follow the footpath with a ditch on the right. Cross a ligger and continue with a ditch on the right. At a way-mark cross a wide ligger and continue with the ditch now on the left. Ignore a path on the left.

Shortly, at another way-mark, go left across an earth bridge and up the side of the field with the hedge on the left. Continue ahead into an enclosed path between rough hedges. Pass through a way-marked gate and another gate ahead. Continue on to reach the road in Alburgh. Turn right along the road to return to Alburgh Village Hall.

•This article was first published in February 2012.