Norfolk

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.

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Total steps: 8

Start point

Morston Quay, grid ref: TG006440

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 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.

Step 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.

Cockthorpe Church

Dating from the 11th or 12th century, All Saints is Grade I listed. The simple church, with a short chancel, nave with south aisle and porch, and a west tower, has evolved over the centuries. The oldest remaining part of the original flint building is the lower north nave wall. Both the quoins, the corners of this wall, are flint, with no dressed stone. In 1977 the church was declared redundant, but it is still consecrated, and since 1978 has been in the care of the Norfolk Churches Trust.

Step 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.

Langham Airfield

RAF Langham was originally a satellite station of nearby RAF Bircham Newton in the Second World War, but became independent in 1942. Starting as a grass strip to the north of the Langham to Cockthorpe road, it grew in size over the course of the war. Twenty or so squadrons were stationed here at various times, and it was a base for aircraft including Beaufighters, Hurricanes, Mosquitoes and Wellingtons. It continued in operation until 1958. Now the airfield is marked only by concrete tracks and poultry sheds.

Step 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.

Step 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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Morston Quay, Quay Lane, Morston, Norfolk, NR25 7BH

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norfolkcoast@nationaltrust.org.uk

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