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Where to Ride: North Norfolk

by Brett Travers

‘I am a Norfolk man and glory in being so' said Admiral Lord Nelson of Burnham Thorpe, who had very good reason to be proud of his home county.

North Norfolk has to be one of the UK's most charming areas to visit by bike. Its historical coastline (three quarters of which has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Beauty) unique Broadland waterways, favourable weather and rural location have meant visitors have been attracted to the area for centuries. Now an array of quaint coastal towns and villages, whose inhabitants speak with their own distinctive accent, provide an excellent selection of places to stay for the 21st century visitor. Pretty market towns, flint clad churches, sleepy villages and agriculture dominate in-land, whilst Norwich, a vibrant and attractive city, provides an interesting urban location.

With no motorways and very few dual carriageways North Norfolk is not the easiest area to get to by car, which keeps the masses away and makes for an idyllic region to ride a bike. As a consequence all three of our rides, which have historical links to railways, can be reached by train.

ROAD

Whilst stage six of the 2010 Tour of Britain will head out from Kings Lynn on Norfolk's roads for 190 kilometres to Great Yarmouth, our featured road ride starts and finishes in Sheringham, an attractive coastal town and home to a steam railway. The ride takes to some extremely quiet lanes and visits some of the delights on and just inland from North Norfolk's majestic coastline. Read More...

MTB

A ride along the Weavers' Way following a former railway line from Aylsham to North Walsham, combined with a spin around Bacton Woods, which has some great singletrack, provided a good variety of off-road riding and a fantastic day out. Read More...

LEISURE

Finally, Norwich, a vibrant and attractive city, is at the heart of our leisure ride along the Marriott's Way. The route follows a decommissioned railway line, which runs beside the pretty river Wensum, out through the north-west of the city and into the countryside. Read More...