About Our Walks - RailwayRamblers Steam-worked passenger trains ceased running through Swaffham at the end of the 1955 summer timetable after which all services was operated by DMUs based at Dereham. It would . Anyone who is concerned about risk can arrange their own, personal insurance cover, but in practice our walks are no more dangerous than any other walk, and probably a lot less dangerous than some other outdoor pursuits, such climbing or even cycling. On the west side of Swaffham Market Place are several old buildings which for many years housed the historic Hamond's Grammar School, as a plaque on the wall of the main building explains. Continue up the hill and bear left, (leaving the Peddars Way which bears right). Sometimes, our own walk leaders were there to take some archive photographs. At Roudham the junction faced west towards Thetford. Light railway steam locomotive for use on branch lines. Many of the old railways that we visit present no problem because they now form part of official traffic-free trails, and the structures on them are maintained and inspected regularly. Swaffham Town Football Club is a semi-professional football club based in Swaffham, Norfolk, England. There were no bay platforms: the line to the rear of the down platform formed a loop used for goods traffic. After exploring the church, continue to head north and cross the road at a busy junction with traffic lights, passing the George Hotel. A short way beyond that a steel girder carrying the line over Low Road survives. Using photos and text, the course of each lost railway line is described in detail, enhanced where possible by photos taken during the line's heyday.'. A proposal has been made to re-purpose the former railway line between Watton and Swaffham. It has five galleries exhibiting local history and local geology as well as an Egyptology room about Howard Carter and the Ancient Egyptians, celebrating the centenary year of Howard Carter discovering the Tomb of Tutankhamun in 1922. Most of the Pingos that were in the Brecks area have now disappeared due to the land being ploughed up for farming, so the ones remaining are historically, ecologically and internationally important for the wildlife. This Castle Acre circular walk is a dog friendly 6 mile stroll along the picturesque River Nar, open countryside and woodland passing Castle Acre Priory, Walsingham Circular Walk is a perfect excuse to visit Walsingham Priory, walk through the historic village and follow in the footsteps of the famous pilgrims, Foxley Norfolk, home to one of the most spectacular bluebell woods in UK run by Norfolk Wildlife Trust. This abutted the station building constructed of knapped flint with brick quoins and stone window surrounds. This website and associated newspapers adhere to the Independent Press Standards Organisation's Walking routes starting in Turbine Way, Swaffham. There were five passenger workings each way on the Thetford branch and a daily goods worked from Lynn to Roudham Junction. Another famous local was Howard Carter, the eminent 20th-century Egyptologist who discovered Tutankhamuns tomb in the Valley of the Kings and is rumoured to have died as the result of the boy-king curse. The village lies 6.9 miles northwest of the nearby town of Fakenham. A short distance beyond the engine servicing area a second signal box was later provided on the south side to control the junction of the Lynn & Dereham Railway and the Watton & Swaffhams line. The name is still used today. One strange movement is shown. If you enjoy walking holidays, then you may like to walk the "Ice Age To Royalty" Norfolk Stately Homes walk. Generally, you should have a reasonable level of fitness and be able to manage 7 or 8 miles at about 3 miles per hour. And let's not forgetNorwich, the region's only city. Follow the lane over a bridge over a disused railway line and past Grange Farm, to eventually reach the A47 once more. Tickets from Michael Stewart (except 1527) Brian Halford. The Market Place and twin churches lie to the right, while the car park is just a short distance ahead along Station Road. If you know of a railway line near you that is accessible to horse traffic and/or carriage driving, please let us have the information. Some integration had happened and one train ran through from Lynn to Thetford, going forward to Bury, except on Mondays. (See below)Line immediately south-east of Swaffham Junction is an overgrown cutting so small that it would be hard to believe it were a railway were it not for the overbridges.E. Drive. The line was lifted after closure. Time for a picnic lunch at Killamarsh station, Derbyshire, on the former Great Central Railway during one of the clubs 40th anniversary walks in September 2018. There was no Sunday service. tokeep up to date with 4 different tips every month for enjoying what Norfolk has to offer. West of the station an earth bund prevents access and sight along the trackbed. The Wattonwater feature is so named because it was created byScottish railway workerswho were digging earth to be used for anembankment on the line. I skirted the pond and quickly found a well-trodden track which I followed. By 1882 the station was a much busier place. You continue along the Peddars Way track which then turns into a tarmac lane. Legend has it that the fabulous Tudor windows of the north aisle of the Church of St Peter and St Paul were paid for by Chapman. Its quite a long walk, but I would highly recommend it. Swaffham - Travel guide at Wikivoyage Length: just under 8 milesEase of Walk: easy and flatWhat youll see: Pingos, long horned cattle, woodland and common land, wetland and swamps, Thompson Water, water violetsDogs: Dogs are allowed on this walk but they must be under control, especially on Thompson CommonPostcode: NR17 1DP OS Map: No 229 (advisable)For a downloadable pdf of theThe Pingo Trailmap, click here. The new route running. Explore Norfolk UK has put together a special package to take in this Pingo Trail, as well as visiting Oxburgh Hall and taking a countryside walk around the area and Sandringham House, again with another lovely circular walk. Here youll find a string of quaint villages and small towns Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea and Cley next the Sea are 21st-century favourites, whileSheringham and Cromer are classic examples of a good old-fashioned seaside resort where grand Victorian hotels look out to sea. Goods services to Swaffham began on 20 September 1875 but it was not until nearly two months later that the supervising authorities were satisfied that the new embankments at Neaton were safe for passenger traffic to commence: it did so on 15 November. Bearing left, walk down the slight incline, and at the bottom of the hill you'll see another sign on the left hand side pointing to the left. RailwayRamblers - Exploring old railways It is now fairly clear. It took me about 2 hours, with a slightly niggly back, but it is definitely a walk I would do again. Swaffham Walks - Open Paths and Trails Our walks are open to all members from any area of the club. . Carry on along the track, passing more Pingos, and more open common land. Swaffham railway station when part of the Eastern Region of British Rail Until 1968 the town was served by Swaffham railway station on the Great Eastern Railway line from King's Lynn. If you want to see what's in store for you before you go, why not check out the video below! The road was not, however, constructed. Steam-hauled passenger services ceased in 1955 when newly arrived diesel multiple units began work out of Dereham, where the steam engine shed closed at the same time. I had the joy of watching a kite scanning the area and seeing the sun glistening on the water. Drive from Kent to Swaffham. They are all around the Norfolk Coast. This is now part of the Peddars Way Long Distance Trail. We do not publish these resources on the Internet, but they are available to walk leaders from our Secretary, who can supply them on a CD. Rose (NAU), 18 May 1983.Roudham Junction to Stow Bedon - trackbed removed but greybrick overbridges remain.Underbridges mostly removed.Overgrown despite section Cranberry Roughs - Stow Bedon being marked as road on Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 map. Theres a well-equipped kitchen, enclosed Little Flint and Lyons Green are two secluded, traditional brick and flint English country cottages built in the early 18th century, both with inglenook fireplaces, beams and many original features. The quiet market towns of Fakenham and Swaffham are prime examples, as well as Thetford, with its popular museum focusing on the TV comedy seriesDads Armywhich wasfilmed in the area. As a subscriber, you are shown 80% less display advertising when reading our articles. These two turbines have since been joined by an independent development of a further eight turbines at the village of North Pickenham, three miles from Swaffham. Two sidings shunted from the east lay on the north side of the running lines and there was a long one on the south side. It had an authorised capital outlay of 80,000. The shed was closed by the GER in 1914. Here a deep depression had to be filled and compacted and an embankment formed to carry the railway. This trail is great for running and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Download your free copy of the "Quick Guide To Norfolk Beaches" and join our newsletter tokeep up to date with 4 different tips every month for enjoying what Norfolk has to offer. Biddle (Victorian Stations, 1973) notes the plain ogee gables and lozenge-latticed windows which betokened a delightfully cosy simplicity entirely fitting in north Norfolk. Check out this 3.2-km out-and-back trail near King's Lynn, Norfolk. There was no Sunday service on either line. It was a further six years before completion of the nine and a half-mile extension northwards to Swaffham: it is said that the extension cost 72,000 to build. 1974-1988. The 15km trail would create a new link between Watton and Swaffham, whose railway line closed in 1965. Immediately south of Watton little remains of the line in Thompson Parish except at Griston where the railway crossed a minor road. The town is well known for the legend of the so-called Swaffham Pedlar, a local man called John Chapman who had gone to London and met a stranger on London Bridge. violets. The latter are often the most interesting walks, but they take a lot of time, effort and skill to arrange. Probably the last steam train to be seen at Swaffham was on 31 March 1962 when the Railway Correspondence and Travel Society ran a final steam excursion along several East Anglian lines. Watton-Swaffham railway line could become 15km walking link The new route running along its length would start at Loch Neaton, in the centre of Watton, and finish at the site of Swaffhams old station. Last walked on 5 January 2019. Swaffham (/swfm/) is a market town and civil parish in the Breckland District and English county of Norfolk. Rural views and a charming atmosphere make them an A warm welcome awaits at Bramley, a delightful detached house, set in a peaceful location on the fringe of the village, with ample safe parking in the generous grounds. The 15km trail would create a new link between Watton and Swaffham, whose railway line closed in 1965. I walk you around the trail in 10 minutes! Quickest way to get there Cheapest option Distance between. Civil Liability insurance should not be confused with accident insurance: it does not cover members for accidents, but for things such as any damage that our visit might cause to private property, unlikely though that is. Roudham Junction to Watton closed completely. The line ran from Thetford, via Watton to a junction with the Lynn and Dereham Railway at Swaffham and was completed in 1875. Swaffham railway station - Trainstation | RouteYou Early tickets had serial number and date on the face, right and left sides respectively: later ones had the serial number twice on the face and the date on the back. Then, as the climate became warmer and the ice melted away, the soil on top formed depressions, leaving a hole filled with water hence the Pingo was formed. [22] It was also built with an observation deck just below the nacelle which was open for the public to climb during the 2000s and 2010s, the only wind turbine in the world to have such a facility. This site uses cookies from Google to deliver its services and to analyze traffic. Here you need to go through the gate and follow the path through more woodland. [10], Two more Manning Wardle tanks, and two Sharp, Stewart and Company 0-4-2 tender locomotives were added by September 1876. This produces a lot of information which doesnt lend itself easily to a short rubric that we can publish in our magazine. The Hamond's Grammar School building latterly came to serve as the sixth form for the Hamond's High School, but that use has since ceased. It was closed to passengers on 15 June 1964 and to freight on 19 April 1965. Watton station has also been demolished and the site redeveloped, although a level crossing gate survived on Church Road as late as 1983. [29] The highest and lowest temperatures reported in the past decade are 34.6C (94.3F) during August 2003,[30] and 10.3C (13.5F) during January 2010.[31]. See full article, Click below for an interesting article on New Civil Engineer website titled "Abandoned rail links can boost transport connectivity" See full article, Our Southern Area Coordinators, Keith Lawrie and Kevin Arnold are giving a talk about RR at the Slough & Windsor Railway Society on Friday evening 10th March. To help you find the best hikes and walks around Swaffham, we've reviewed our full collection of trails and routes in the region. I really enjoyed this next section of the walk. Turn left and walk for 0.25 mile (400m) to a crossroads by Reepham town centre. Five Down trains ran throughout, supplemented by an 8.03 am Watton departure to Swaffham (the first up train made a long stop at Watton so may have detached a unit there to form the extra train). The Pingo Trail walk is a really extraordinary and fascinating walk in Mid Norfolk, just north of Thetford in the heart of The Brecks. [4] As a result of this prosperity, the town has a large market place. Beyond it the spans of the Sporle Road bridge have gone although its abutments are partially present. Timetables from Alan Young . 58 - 92. The Bury and Thetford (Swaffham Branch), also known as the Crab and Winkle Line,[1] was a railway line in England. The pedlar returned to Swaffham, and found the treasure. In the parish of Saham Toney some length of embankment remains in view and, close by, substantial brick-built abutments of an overbridge survive on Long Road at Woodbottom Farm. Roudham Junction, Wretham & Hockham, Stow Bedon, Watton & Holme Hale, Click here for Swaffham Gallery 2: 1963 - 1967, The Great Eastern Commemorative Steam Tour, Off Station Street A1065 north of the Market Place and town centre. There were only 70 passengers on the final stage of the journey. . I just remember thinking water, water everywhere! The Norfolk Wildlife Trust has therefore worked closely with Natural England and the Environment Agency to work out the best option for this plant. Then with a S-Train to Dsseldorf main Station. The Sharp locomotives being scrapped in 1891 and the tank engines in the late 1880s.[11]. book contains 18 walks with an interest. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 39 min to complete. The turbines were originally associated with the EcoTech Centre, a visitor centre which was opened in 1999. by dislodging some masonry or mortar from the arch below. Tools The Bury and Thetford (Swaffham Branch), also known as the Crab and Winkle Line, [1] was a railway line in England. Shortly after its arrival a light engine set off from Dereham back to Swaffham! By the 14th and 15th centuries Swaffham had an emerging sheep and wool industry. An express left for Lynn and Peterborough at 8.25am, non-stop to Lynn. On 21 July 1879 agreement was reached to lease the line to the Great Eastern Railway for 999 years, commencing on 1st March 1880. The North Norfolk Coast is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and probably the finest of its kind in Europe. Additional information Trackways on former railway line Open farmland Under control and on lead through town OS Explorer 238 Dereham & Aylsham We have developed resources to help our walk leaders design and plan railway walks ranging from straightforward events over official railway paths to walks which require negotiation with landowners. [5] On the top is the statue of Ceres, the Roman goddess of the harvest. After the first kilometre or so along Procession Road, we have lost the historic route of the Roman road, which we won't regain until after Castle Acre. Another mere that you may like to walk around is Horsey Mere on the Horsey Windpump Circular walk.Thompson Water is a lovely spot to stop before you start on the next stretch of the walk on a wide farm track. The latter are often the most interesting walks, but they take a lot of time, effort and skill to arrange. Common. Opened in 1875, the Watton and Swaffham Railway -also known as the Crab and Winkle line - connected the towns with Thetford in one direction and King's Lynn in the other. Holme Hale station remains as a private residence, complete with signal box and signal post - although heavily extended. Eventually a shopkeeper asked him why he was waiting, and the man told of his dream. East of the A1065 another unsightly business park lies over the running lines and northern sidings. [26], As with the rest of the British Isles and East Anglia, Swaffham experiences a maritime climate with cool summers and mild winters. The Pingo Trail Walk - Explore Norfolk UK The coming of the railway invigorated business in the town and two large monthly cattle markets brought livestock traffic to the railway. This had happened since Great Eastern Railway days, providing evidence of low numbers of passengers using the lines smaller stations. Climb to a junction and then turn left along White Cross Road. The route from Thetford to Watton opened in 1869, and the line between Watton and Swaffham opened in 1875. Under the proposal, the former Watton-Swaffham railway line would be repurposed to become a walking and cycling link. Until 1968 the town was served by Swaffham railway station on the Great Eastern Railway line from King's Lynn. Part of the extraction site was flooded and became known locally as Loch Neaton, allegedly after the Scots navvies who built the railway. Future plans drafted for Watton and Swaffham - The Wayland News The equivalent down working called at 7.52pm. Office for National Statistics & Norfolk County Council (2001). Additionally, at 8.30 am, a non-stop train left Thetford and terminated at Watton. Temperature extremes in the Swaffham-Marham area range from 34.8C (94.6F) in August 1990, down to 16.7C (1.9F) during February 1956. Today the town is known for the presence of two large Enercon E-66 wind turbines. People who join our taster events must intend to join the club. These two busy routes provide Swaffham with a large volume of passing trade and travellers, especially at weekends and during the summer months. There was also a theatre, which entertained such august personages as Horatio, Lord Nelson and his family (and his mistress, too, according to the records). The church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul is one of only a few churches that have angels carved in wood instead of stone around the top of the walls. The turntable line was reached from the signal box by way of west-facing points. The Thetford branch closed on 15 June 1964, and the station closed to passengers on 9 September 1968. The walk begins in the centre of Swaffham, near the Market Cross. Reepham and the Marriott's Way | AA RatedTrips.com The 1906 timetable shows five southbound weekday (up) through trains and four down.