Norfolk

Oxborough to Gooderstone heritage walk

Enjoy this gentle Norfolk walk, which takes in some of Breckland's protected farmland and heritage. Explore the pretty village of Oxborough, pass through Gooderstone with its Water Gardens and medieval church, and look out for the remains of Chalkrow Tower Mill.

Near to

Oxburgh Estate

Start point

Oxburgh Hall car park. Grid ref: TF744014.

Trail information

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Difficulty*

Accessibility**

Full trail

DistanceMiles: 3.5 (km: 5.6)

Duration1 hour 30 mins

Dog friendly***

*Tracks and roads with no steep slopes. For further details, please see Terrain section.
**This route is not suitable for some people with reduced mobility. For further details, please see section marked Access.
***Dogs are welcome, under close control. For further details, please see section marked Facilities.

Dogs
Dogs are welcome but must be kept under close control due to the livestock in the area.
Car park
Parking is available at Oxburgh Hall. It's free to National Trust members, but charges apply to non-members.
Shop
The second-hand bookshop at Oxburgh Hall sells a huge range of pre-loved titles.
Tea-room
The Servants' Hall tea-room at Oxburgh Hall serves a variety of meals, snacks and drinks, with both indoor and outdoor seating available.
Pub
Oxborough pubs The Bedingfield Arms (Steps 1 and 9) and The Swan (Step 5) both serve a range of ales and wines, as well as food.
Total stages: 9
Total stages: 9
Start point
Oxburgh Hall car park. Grid ref: TF744014.
Stage 1
Turn left out of the Oxburgh Hall car park, then right onto the lane next to the Bedingfield Arms pub. Pass Chantry House on your right and, after 100yd (90m) or so, look out for a public footpath on your right with a fence on one side. Follow the footpath, crossing the stile into the field adjacent to Church Farm. Turn immediately left, crossing another stile, and follow the footpath with the hedge on your left and then your right. After about 500yd (450m), you'll reach another stile.
Stage 2
Climb over the stile and enter another field (watch out for rabbit holes). At certain times of the year, you might see piglets in the field to your left. Carefully make your way across the field, past the sewage works, to the right-hand corner. Here you'll find another stile.
Stage 3
Climb the stile and turn right along the road. Follow the road for approximately 1 mile (800m), at which point you'll arrive in the village of Gooderstone. On the way, you'll pass Gooderstone Water Gardens, which are worth a visit if you have time.
Stage 4
Continue through the village until you reach St George's Church.
St George's Church
St George's is a medieval church dating back to the 13th century, when St George was patron saint of the Crusades in the Middle East. The font dates from 1446, when it was donated to the church by the vicar, a Mr Peter Floke. The organ was built around 1820, and was brought to Gooderstone in 1947 from a house in Sydenham, South London. Other interesting features include the array of carved benches and a rood screen, all of which date from the 15th century.
Stage 5
After exploring the church, you might wish to pop into The Swan pub opposite for some refreshments and a toilet visit. When you're ready, retrace your steps back out of Gooderstone until you reach Elm Place on the left.
Stage 6
After looking out for the birdlife, walk for another mile (800m) or so until you reach a public bridleway on the right (Mill Drove). Follow this bridleway until the end, then turn left onto Chalkrow Lane.
Stage 7
Follow the lane, looking out for the remains of Chalkrow Lane Tower Mill on the right. The gate to the yard has an interesting plate (seemingly of LNER railway vintage). Built around 1829 for a Mr George Seppings, the mill was quite small, standing around 33ft high.
Stage 8
When you reach the T-Junction, turn right and follow the road back to Oxborough. If you didn't look around Oxburgh Hall at the start of your walk, we recommend taking the time now.
Stage 9
At the end of your walk, visit the church of St John the Evangelist. The Bedingfield Arms pub, across the road, is also worth a visit.
St John the Evangelist
The 14th-century church originally consisted of a nave, a chancel, a vestry, and north and south aisles, each with its own porch and doorway. There was seating for 225. On a windy day in April 1948, the church tower and its spire collapsed, taking the roof with it. Although the nave and south aisle were destroyed, by some miracle the 16th-century Bedingfeld Chapel survived. It contains one of the best examples of terracotta tombs in England.
End point
Oxburgh Hall car park. Grid ref: TF744014.
Trail map
Map of the Oxborough to Gooderstone heritage walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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