The East of England is the perfect location for walking if you want to go easy on your calves.
We have a gently undulating landscape with many interesting places to explore, from coastal cliffs and tidal estuaries to forests and heaths via rivers and waterways.
For long distance and circular walks in Norfolk go here.
To discover trails and paths in Suffolk go here.
The websites above will give you all the major walks in Norfolk and Suffolk, like the Coast Path, but let us take you a little off the beaten track with these choices…
Newmarket
You know it for its equine activities but there are also great walks to be had in the beautiful countryside surrounding the national headquarters of thoroughbred horseracing, breeding and training.
Shotley Peninsula
Situated between the Rivers Orwell and Stour, the peninsula has stunning views while you’re walking.
Constable country
Walk in the footsteps of John Constable with this National Trust walk that takes you to some of the scenes of the artist’s greatest paintings. See more of them at Christchurch Mansion in Ipswich.
Gainsborough Trail
Or you could walk in the footsteps of Gainsborough in the water meadows around Sudbury on this 12 mile walk.
Bury St Edmunds and beyond
These walks in the picturesque countryside surrounding Bury St Edmunds take in country parks, wool towns and Bury itself where you can discover its fascinating history.
Bury St Edmunds and beyond walks
Thetford Forest
Starting at High Lodge, here are five walks that will take you deep into this magnificent pine forest where you might encounter deer, wild horses, and lots of birdlife. Thetford Forest in the Brecks was only created in the aftermath of the first world war to ensure the country had a constant supply of wood for, sadly, warfare.
Boudicca Way, South Norfolk
South Norfolk has lovely scenic and peaceful countryside, with the winding River Waveney its centrepiece. The Boudicca Way, stretching between Diss and Norwich and named after the famous Queen of the Iceni who waged war on the Romans, will take you past the Roman town of Venta Icenorum, and the delightful villages of Shotesham and Pulham Market.
Peddars Way
One of our best-known walks, we mention this because of the historical value. This route is actually an old Roman path, a way for the legions to quickly reach the north Norfolk coast from Colchester (it now starts in the Suffolk countryside at Knettishall Heath).
Walk on the Suffolk Coast
With 50 miles of coastline, beach walks on the Suffolk coast are the perfect way to experience seascapes and wide open skies.
Marriott’s Way
The Marriott’s Way is described locally as a ‘green corridor’ and is used extensively by walkers and horse riders as well as cyclists, the route follows two disused railway lines between medieval Norwich and the historic market town of Aylsham for 26 miles, beginning in the city centre where Barn Road meets Barker Street (only minutes from Norwich Cathedral).
The entire route of the Marriott’s Way has been designated as a Country Wildlife Site with section one and two (The Wensum River Valley) recognised at European Level as a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and also a site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Rich with wildlife in every season, there’s also public art with signs made from old track to show distances and directions to villages and towns, metal rubbing plaques with aspects of the tracks history, wind-up boxes playing past railway sounds, pieces of art inscribed with poems and verse and sculpture.
Please, before you travel to the East of England, Know Before You Go – ensure places you want to visit are open, see if you have to pre-book. We’ve supplied click-throughs to attractions for you to check.
