Peddars Way
Roman roots
The Peddars Way follows an old Roman road, and is also believed to trace the footsteps of medieval ‘pedders’ – roaming traders who travelled from village to village.
Starting in woodland deep in the Brecks at Knettishall Heath, this 49-mile trail winds through open heathland and patchwork fields.
It meanders through quiet river valleys, passes through pine forests and offers glimpses of rare pingo ponds left behind by the last ice age 12,000 years ago.
Historical highlights
History and culture are never far away. On your way, keep an eye out for Bronze Age burial mounds, and if you fancy a short detour west then the Royal Sandringham Estate is well worth a visit.
Also, be ever watchful for the Black Shuck, a legendary ghostly hound thought to roam around the countryside at night.
Peddars Way eventually reaches the coastline at Holme-next-the-Sea, where you can continue your adventure along the Norfolk Coast Path. These routes combined form the Peddars Way & Norfolk Coast Path National Trail.
Norfolk Coast Path
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Walking & cycling
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River valleys
11th century priory
Pingo ponds
Peddars Way is thought to be based on an ancient track used by ‘pedders’ (travelling traders) in the Middle Ages.
It begins in the woodland and runs through footpaths, quiet lanes and old Roman roads to reach the coastline.
Along the way you’ll pass through heathland and pine forests, and alongside ice age pingos (dome-shaped hills).
We’ve divided the trail into four stages here, but you can start anywhere along the route using the map below.
Stage 1:
The Peddars Way begins in the Brecks, an area of peaceful river valleys and breathtaking beauty.
Rich in wildlife and steeped in history dating back to the Stone Age, the trail follows an old Roman road – traversed by legionnaires 2,000 years ago – through the Norfolk countryside, all the way to the coast.
Along this gently undulating stretch of the trail, you’ll see the pingo ponds of Thompson Common, left behind from the last ice age more than 12,000 years ago.
The Tour finishes in Great Cressingham. While there isn’t much in the village, The Olde Windmill Inn has rooms and serves food. There are other options nearby, too.
Stage 2:
History, beauty and intrigue are never far away on stage 2, which reveals some splendid sites that are sure to take your breath away.
After a leisurely stroll through patchwork farm fields, you reach Castle Acre. This historic village boasts an extraordinarily intact example of a motte-and-bailey castle, as well as Castle Acre Priory, one of the best-preserved monastic sites in England.
As you continue to meander through the flat arable landscape, let the tranquillity fill your senses. Norfolk is renowned for peace and quiet and you will find the entire Peddars Way to be exactly that.
This Tour finishes on the outskirts of Great Massingham, a picturesque village with one of the most impressive greens in the county.
Stage 1 – Knettishall Heath to Great Cressingham – Peddars Way
The Peddars Way begins in the Brecks, an area of peaceful river valleys and breathtaking beauty. Rich in wildlife and steeped in history dating back to the Stone Age, the trail follows an old Roman road – traversed by legionnaires 2,000 years ago – through the Norfolk countryside, all the way to the coast. Along this gently undulating stretch of the trail, you will see the pingo ponds of Thompson Common, left behind from the last ice age more than 12,000 years ago. You might also spot a few Songline sculptures that tell the tales of how people interacted with the landscape in times gone by. The Tour finishes in Great Cressingham.
Stage 2 – Great Cressingham to Great Massingham
History, beauty and intrigue are never far away on this leg, which reveals some splendid sites that are sure to take your breath away. After a leisurely stroll through patchwork farm fields, you reach Castle Acre. This historic village boasts an extraordinarily intact example of a motte-and-bailey castle, as well as Castle Acre Priory, one of the best-preserved monastic sites in England. As you continue to meander through the flat arable landscape, let the tranquillity fill your senses. Norfolk is renowned for peace and quiet and you will find the entire Peddars Way to be exactly that. This Tour finishes on the outskirts of Great Massingham, a picturesque village with one of the most impressive greens in the county.