Popular walking routes-discover Norwich on foot!

Let’s go for a walk!

Summer has finally arrived in England. With a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius or higher, everyone was heading to the beach last week. I know, nobody should get that excited about a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius, this could easily be a winter temperature somewhere else. Despite this, the second May Bank Holiday arrived in time for an extended weekend outdoors. Norwich is simply beautiful around this time of the year. Maybe not as famous as other cities, but still with plenty to visit and do if you are around. What I always admired in the UK is that people here do value their parks and outdoor facilities. And Norwich follows the norm too. I’m planning to write a different article about the main touristic attractions in Norwich. For now, though, this article is about the main walking trails in Norwich.

Norwich is the most important city in the county of Norfolk. It’s situated on the east coast of England, about half an hour away (by train) from the east coast and approximately 2h away (by train) from London. Good train connections link the city with London, main UK cities and airports. Some might find Norwich quite isolated. However, its proximity to nature makes Norwich perfect for idyllic countryside walks.

Main walking trails in Norwich

If you enjoy walking as much as I do, then Norwich should be on your list. I completed several hiking trips across the UK. You can read about it here. However, I consider Norwich to be one of the best UK destinations for outdoor walking activities.

Marriott’s Way is probably the most popular footpath and definitely the longest. It connects Norwich to Aylsham. Its total length is 39.5 km so, plenty of walking for those who enjoy being outdoors. If you begin walking in Norwich, the entrance is by the roundabout at Barn Road and Barker Street on the inner ring road. If you start in Aylsham, the entrance is on Norwich Road, opposite the Bure Valley Railway Station. The entire walk is pure joy. There are many signs on the way, making the route easy to follow and not get lost.

Whitlingham Country Park is another popular place for walks. The park is close to Trowse village. This beautiful 280 acres park is home to diverse wildlife. There are different species of birds and small field animals. The park is also home to an impressive lake and the Whitlingham Marsh reserve. I must warn you that the park can be quite busy in summer.

University of East Anglia Broads. Another popular place for walks is the University of East Anglia campus. I am not sure how many know Norwich is home to the University of East Anglia, or in short UEA. UEA is based at Norwich Research Park, Norwich, Norfolk, NR4 7TJ. The parks around the campus make the university perfect for a long walk. The UEA broads involve a pretty walk alongside a lake, through open fields and a little forest. The name alludes to The Broads National Park. A bigger national park that’s located outside Norwich. Another park you can visit if you are already in the area is Earlham Park. Earlham Park is a stone throw to the UEA campus.

Norwich is home to several smaller parks too which are indeed pretty and definitely worth a visit. One of them is Eaton Park. Eaton Park is actually quite close to UEA and located more towards the city centre. A walking itinerary I would recommend is starting at UEA broads and finishing in Eaton Park. This itinerary provides you with a doable but still enjoyable 1 day walk. An even tinier park is Waterloo Park. Situated almost at the outskirts of Norwich in the northern part of the city, it’s a place worth visiting. For more ideas of walks in Norwich, I kindly invite you to read this article. It provides you with additional walks one can take in Norwich.

To finish off

Norwich might be better known for its cathedrals or medieval look similar to places like Cambridge or Oxford. But it should definitely be known for the infinite options nature lovers have if they decide to visit it. Please, let me know if you’ve ever visited Norwich and completed any of the walking trails presented. What did you enjoy or not enjoy about it?

If you’ve liked this post, you might want to check out some other walking routes you can explore near Norwich:

A circular walk in Salhouse, Norfolk 

A circular walk in Hoveton & Wroxham

A coastal walk between Cromer and Sheringham