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Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path

Last summer I undertook another long distance walk the 93 miles (150km) of the Peddars Way (which makes up 46 miles or 74km of the route) and Norfolk Coast path from near Rushford to Cromer.

Overview of the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path
Image taken from http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/peddars-way-and-norfolk-coast-path


As I have done with the Hadrian's Wall trail in the past I didn't walk it straight and stay in accommodation on-route but rather we used the camper van and bused/taxied back and forth to campsites - this was easy once on the Coastal Path using the Coasthopper bus (see https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/east/coasthopper for prices and timetable) but proved to be difficult on the Peddar's Way where there is next to no public transport so we were honestly unable to walk quite all of its length.


As a guidebook we used the official National Trail guide which honestly I would not recommend - very few directions (and at least on the Peddars Way signs were often gone - either hidden deep in the foliage, destroyed or simply lacking) meaning there were a fair few times when we had to ask for directions or, more often as the route is often out in the countryside, simply guess and hope for the best (not easy on what is not a very well walked route). Additionally the guidebook often tells you of sights to be seen a while after you have walked past them meaning we missed out on seeing some things. Additionally the route did pass over some stiles that the book failed to mention.


Once the path reaches the Coastal route it is much better used with a lot of day hikers using the path as well as families getting to the beach etc. and there is more accommodation as well as places to get refreshments (we never did manage to find a pub that was open on the Peddars Way).

The path uses mainly footpaths but does wander onto quiet country roads as well.

The Peddars Way (Peddar deriving from the Latin pedester meaning 'on foot') pre-dates the Roman period being an ancient track-way which may be a part of the Icknield Way which was then altered and used by the Romans. There is some evidence that it was used by Pilgrims travelling to Walsingham (known as 'England's Jerusalem'). 

The Norfolk Coast path was opened in 1986.

The route itself is relatively flat as can been seen below (taken from https://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Peddars+Way+and+Norfolk+Coast+Path+National+Trail)
Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path National Trail - Route Profile





There are a few leaflets on the Peddars Way available at http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/peddars-way-and-norfolk-coast-path/leaflets

There are two other guidebooks on this route available published by Stanfords (http://www.stanfords.co.uk/Offas-Dyke-Path-Prestatyn-to-Chepstow_9781905864652?utm_campaign=webgains&utm_source=webgains&utm_medium=webgains) and Cicerone (http://www.cicerone.co.uk/product/detail.cfm/book/707/refer/ntl#.V7W4EmdTGUk)


The site https://www.ldwa.org.uk/ldp/members/show_path.php?path_name=Peddars+Way+and+Norfolk+Coast+Path+National+Trail has a list of accommodation near to this route.



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