Circular walk from Morston Quay to Cockthorpe
Starting from the National Trust car park at Morston Quay, near Blakeney, this 5.5-mile (8km) walk weaves away from the coast along the Norfolk Coast Path National Trail, through woodland next to a river and on to the village of Cockthorpe.
Near to
Morston QuayStart point
Morston Quay, grid ref: TG006440Trail information
Total stages: 8
Total stages: 8
Start point
Morston Quay, grid ref: TG006440
Stage 1
Starting with your back to the Visitor Centre, head slightly right and follow the path until reaching a dog-bin on the right-hand side. Bearing right at the bin, head for some wooden steps which lead up to the coast path. The path is fairly well defined but with many bends as you go along. Morston Greens salt marshes are on your right. Walk for about three-quarters of a mile where the path has a fairly well-defined turn to the left.
Stage 2
Look out for some creeks on the right-hand side, as the path makes a right-hand turn. After approximately quarter of a mile, look out for a lake on the left. Be careful at this point as the lake may be hidden by plants.
Stage 3
Shortly after reaching a footpath sign and wooden steps on the left, descend the steps and follow the path, keeping the lake on your left for about a quarter of a mile until you reach a kissing gate. Shortly after the gate you'll come to a bridge and the Morston road. Follow the permissive path behind the hedge for a quarter of a mile until you reach the footpath sign. Turn left onto this path, with a small stream on the right-hand side, which may be rather overgrown in places. Follow it for about half a mile, crossing a wooden footbridge on the way.
Stage 4
When you come to a gate and a small footbridge you're at the valley of Cockthorpe Common. Stand and take in the view of the valley for a while – it’s quite impressive. The path runs through the middle, and a mast and some farm buildings can be seen on the hill ahead of you. Don’t head to the mast but bear to the right. The path bears right and climbs fairly steeply until eventually it reaches a steel gate.
Stage 5
Go through the gate and continue for a short way until reaching the Cockthorpe road. The walk route turns left at this point but it is worth turning right to look at Cockthorpe village and the church. If you'd rather continue the walk, turn left and move on to point 6.
Stage 6
When you have finished in Cockthorpe village, retrace your steps and shortly after going through the Cockthorpe Common exit, look out for a footpath sign 100 yds on the left, leading on to a concrete path heading up to the disused Langham Airfield on the right-hand side. Walk past a small copse on the left and before reaching the buildings (a quarter of a mile or so), branch left, continuing for another quarter of a mile, until you see a ‘private land’ sign and a footpath sign on the right.
Stage 7
Turn right onto this path running across a field for about a quarter of a mile, until you come to more concrete and then a bridleway called Love Lane. Continue along Love Lane for about half a mile. (Look out for free-range pigs). After turning sharp left, continue along the grass track for half a mile to the main road, Morston Chase.
Stage 8
There is no footpath for most of this road, so turn right and carefully continue along Morston Chase until the second turning on the left, leading back up to Morston Quay car park and the end of your walk.
End point
Morston Quay, grid ref: TG006440
Trail map
Cockthorpe circular walk map, Morston Quay, Norfolk | © Norfolk Trails
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