Jubilee Trails

When the ideas of how to commemorate Her Majesty’s Jubilee were being considered, a recurring theme was how to incorporate many of the elements that were identified as important in the Jubilee celebrations. These included accessibility to the natural world, encouraging exercise and outdoor experience, resulting in the potential education and well-being benefits. The development of the Jubilee trails seemed a perfect way to meet all these objectives.

I have hugely enjoyed the challenge of developing these trails and been fantastically encouraged by the depth of support we have received from so many organisations and stakeholders keen to help create this wonderful legacy.”

Thomas Courtauld

The aim was to try and create trails which were within reach from all over Norfolk, where possible, with improved accessibility for all and linked into the existing rights of way network. We feel this has been achieved with the four trails detailed below and hope additional trails will be added in the future. The trails are a combination of existing, and in places, improved rights of way, together with new trails which open up parts of Norfolk which previously had no public access. The trails encompass all aspects of wonderful Norfolk from coastal scenery, woodlands, arable, historic, urban and more.

We plan to enhance the experience of using the trails with the addition of interactive information hubs to provide background of specific features, whether, historic, environmental or topical. The initial work and future upkeep of the trails is going to be supported by many local and county wide organisations creating a wonderful legacy to celebrate the 70 magnificent years.

A particular mention must go to the Norfolk County Council and The Westactre Estate whose input and generosity has made this wonderful project possible.

The Elizabeth Way
(Heacham to King's Lynn)

A dedicated trail linking Heacham to King's Lynn which will incorporate elements of the existing footpath network. A key element of the trail is the utilisation and enhancement of a section of disused railway line between Dersingham and Ingoldisthorpe providing almost 2km of new Greenway Delivery. This new infrastructure will link into both the existing National Cycle Route 1 providing a safe route from Dersingham also linking into the Norfolk Coast Path extension between Hunstanton and Sutton Bridge.

The Wendling Way
(Gressenhall to Dereham)

A trail linking Gressenhall Environmental Hub to Dereham town centre to provide a safe and direct route for visitors on foot and bike. The project will include approx. 2km of route surfacing improvements as well as a new footbridge into Gressenshall and new gateway features at the start and end of the trail. The trail will incorporate the proposed Gressenhall arboretum and tree nursery, both to be dedicated to The Platinum Jubilee, and run through the developing Wendling Beck Exemplar Project, a regenerative landscape scale environmental scheme.

The Eastern Maritime Way
(Great Yarmouth to Lowestoft)

An enhanced trail connecting Great Yarmouth to Lowestoft. This trail will be developed to focus on accessibility into this environmentally diverse landscape, and connect these two hubs in an environmentally sustainable manner. Improvements are to be made to the current Great Yarmouth Cycle Route with a focus on the Gorleston-on-Sea to Hopton route as a partnership project with Suffolk County Council.

Chet River Circular
(Loddon to Chedgrave)

This short walk provides a different offering to the other trails, with something for everyone, especially families.
The walk starts at the stunning Loddon Staithe, with its weeping willows and beautiful views out along the River Chet. The route heads out along the village's footpaths then follows the River Chet to Chedgrave Common where the path heads back to Chedgrave and then returns to the Staithe.

The West Acre Way
(Gayton to Castle Acre)

A new trail linking Gayton to Castle Acre, primarily using newly dedicated paths across the Westacre Estate to link elements of the existing footpath network. The trail will run through a new and cutting-edge large scale environmental scheme in the extraordinary Nar Valley.

When will I be able to use them?

Our team is currently hard at work preparing the trails for your use. We anticipate them to be ready in the spring next year so please keep checking back for updates.