Unsurfaced Swaffham midweek jaunt

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Oldhippy

Oldhippy

Cynical idealist
I have been perusing my fresh copy of Cycling UK and there is a new 52 mile loop route in Norfolk. Being a history nut and never having been to Norfolk other than passing through I thought I may make a few days camping and riding out of it. Any CC'ers know of cycle friendly camping sites in or around Castle Rising, Castle Acre, Swaffham or Kings Lynn? Thinking of travelling during the week around mid May or early June perhaps. Happy to meet any CC'ers out that way for lunch or a potter about.
 
mjr

mjr

Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
Location
mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
Oldhippy said:
I have been perusing my fresh copy of Cycling UK and there is a new 52 mile loop route in Norfolk. Being a history nut and never having been to Norfolk other than passing through I thought I may make a few days camping and riding out of it. Any CC'ers know of cycle friendly camping sites in or around Castle Rising, Castle Acre, Swaffham or Kings Lynn? Thinking of travelling during the week around mid May or early June perhaps. Happy to meet any CC'ers out that way for lunch or a potter about.
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Seeing as I live nearby and don't camp, I don't have direct experience, but I believe the "King's Lynn" site at North Runcton (4 miles out of town by so-so cycle route) is cycle-friendly www.kl-cc.co.uk

The only Swaffham site I know is http://brecklandmeadows.co.uk/ and I can't think of one at Castle Acre recently.

I'm not sure the Lord would welcome a campsite in Castle Rising, but the two sites at Sandringham are not far from there and reportedly cycle-friendly.

I'd love to meet up if times work out. Please tag me once you know where you'll be.

What's the 52 mile loop route, by the way? Is it Peddars Way and something else to make the loop? As far as I know, Cycling UK haven't bothered to consult the local cycling campaign on this. I wonder if the MTB club knows...
 
OP
OP
Oldhippy

Oldhippy

Cynical idealist
mjr said:
Seeing as I live nearby and don't camp, I don't have direct experience, but I believe the "King's Lynn" site at North Runcton (4 miles out of town by so-so cycle route) is cycle-friendly www.kl-cc.co.uk

The only Swaffham site I know is http://brecklandmeadows.co.uk/ and I can't think of one at Castle Acre recently.

I'm not sure the Lord would welcome a campsite in Castle Rising, but the two sites at Sandringham are not far from there and reportedly cycle-friendly.

I'd love to meet up if times work out. Please tag me once you know where you'll be.

What's the 52 mile loop route, by the way? Is it Peddars Way and something else to make the loop? As far as I know, Cycling UK haven't bothered to consult the local cycling campaign on this. I wonder if the MTB club knows...
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Thank you I will let you know. The route is Swaffham-Kings Lynn-Castle Rising-Sandringham-Peddars Way-Castle Acre-Swaffham. All off road it seems. Not a long route but I thought if I threw a few days camping in I could do a bit of history, photos and exploring generally.
 
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Oldhippy

Oldhippy

Cynical idealist
IaninSheffield said:
There's a Camping & Caravanning Club site at Sandringham I've used a couple of times. In the woods. Good facilties. Friendly staff (when I was there).

I'm sure you're probably already aware of the Pitchup campsite aggregator, but if not, it can sometimes be useful in finding and booking sites e.g. https://www.pitchup.com/search/?q=swaffham&type=4&within=20
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I am indeed but until you mentioned Pitch up I cad forgotten I'd seen it before. Quiet day tomorrow at work so will look then. I am going to start going through all my favourite camping gear tomorrow methinks and make firm plans.
 
HobbesOnTour

HobbesOnTour

Guru
Location
España
Cycle.travel will show (Archie's listed) campsites in proximity to your planned route. It is up to you to verify their suitability for cycle camping though.
I understand that you're not one for too much online stuff but for touring on a bike cycle travel really is very useful.

Good luck and have a great trip.

(Don't forget the Travelogue section^_^)
 
PeteXXX

PeteXXX

Cake or ice cream? The choice is endless ...
Location
Hamtun
637692


Here's a quick pic from the mag.
GPX is: cyclinguk.org/route/weekender-swaffham
 
mjr

mjr

Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
Location
mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
There's a lot more offroading possible there that even a gravel-hater like me has ridden, especially around the north side of that loop. It would also add access to a couple of great stops like Bircham Windmill (which has summer camping too www.birchamwindmill.co.uk). I'll edit the gpx later and post a link here.
 
mjr

mjr

Comfy armchair to one person & a plank to the next
Location
mostly Norfolk, sometimes Somerset
OK, here's my suggested changes:
• exit Swaffham directly to Swaffham Heath instead of using tarmac ① ;
• use West Bilney Woods tracks instead of the A47;
• East Winch to Leziate by a longer but unusual and scenic mostly-gravel route;
• King's Lynn: enter through Reffley Woods② instead of a housing estate, use a couple of gravel roads and grass tracks in Gaywood;
• Castle Rising: enter through Wootton Carr② instead of tarmac NCN1;
• Sandringham: use Princess Drive (part-gravel/dirt, permissive route, cycling allowed) instead of tarmac roads;
• Anmer removed and Shernborne, Great Bircham and Great Massingham added to the route for gravel roads and good stops at Bircham Windmill and Massingham Green (also avoids a flooded-all-year section), then use gravel roads via Lexham instead of a straight tarmac bit of Peddars Way;
• Castle Acre: exit the castle grounds② through Castle Square instead of Pye's Lane and exit the priory grounds② to the ford through a gap in the wall to reduce time on tarmac;
• South Acre: ride past the church and hall on a longer gravel drove route ① ;
• Swaffham: enter through the church grounds, although it means climbing about 10 steps and maybe getting through a small gate IIRC.

① - I've not yet ridden these bits but I have looked them up carefully before now.
② - these bits are technically footpath but usually quiet, many ride them and I've never heard of complaints but please still give way to walkers. The rest is bridleway or allowed.

It's longer at 69 miles but about two-thirds is off-road. Map and download at https://cycle.travel/map/journey/298711
 
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H

Hornchurch

Well-Known Member
Oldhippy said:
I have been perusing my fresh copy of Cycling UK and there is a new 52 mile loop route in Norfolk. Being a history nut and never having been to Norfolk other than passing through I thought I may make a few days camping and riding out of it. Any CC'ers know of cycle friendly camping sites in or around Castle Rising, Castle Acre, Swaffham or Kings Lynn? Thinking of travelling during the week around mid May or early June perhaps. Happy to meet any CC'ers out that way for lunch or a potter about.
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'


Hi, OldHippy & thanks for chiming-in on my "newb" thread, it's appreciated - ( as it is with my apparent neighbour, MJR )


Link here >>>>....... Hornchurch - My Intro Thread & My Cycles


Whilst I'm a Londoner, I've been up here for some 27-years now, so, I know the score & many roads here quite intimately.

Even when I lived in London, my folks were up here, so even in the mid-1990's onwards, I was exploring - (via M/cycle mostly)

I always use the Castle Acre to Gt.Massingham road, as Great Massingham is a beautiful village & def' worth riding around.

There's a Pub there called "The Dabbling Duck" - nice but not cheap - Plenty of History in the village, esp' via the RAF.

"Some People ARE On The Pitch, They Think It's All Over - It Is Now" (1966) - I'll guess you recognise the phrase ?

15-years before Kenneth Wolstenholme uttered those famous 1966 commentary words, he WAS a Bristol Blenheim pilot.

No.2 Group (then) had, by far THE worst losses & on one mission he flew an 'Anti-shipping-mission' (as most were, then)

His turret-gunner (a 'Kiwi', New-Zealander), got his head blown in two, by a large calibre AA.shell & the Blenhiem was hit bad.

Kenneth Wolstenholme barely got it back to base (I've seen his log-book) & had to force-land at nearby West Raynham instead.

Ken's gunner (the Kiwi guy), is buried at nearby Little Massingham church, in fact, there are about SIX x RAF crew buried there.

West Raynham** is also worth visting (it's a lovely route (various options) between the two.

A truly remarkable "fact" about the latter, is that a (very) famous German Me.109/Fw.190 pilot was based there, during the 1960's

Gerhard Barkhorn both was & is "the 2nd highest scoring f/pilot in world history" - Yet he gained his RAF wings, in 1956

I'm telling ya all this rubbish, as yer a history buff/fan, right ? (Laughs !) - And of course, it's NEAR your ride / route - Anyways....

Following decade & he's back in England yet again (!) - This time testing the P.1127 - forerunner of "The Harrier Jump Jet" (Harrier)

He even accidentally (one morning) damaged one - Angry at himself, he joked "It's my 302nd kill" - But he was there for some time**


Whilst I'm late to the game, it would be good (great) to incorporate the following run, within your ride & intended stay....

Fakenham ("Limes" Pub - Beer, £1.99 per-pint) >> Hempton >> Toftrees >> Helhoughton >> West Raynham >> Gt.Massingham


At Gt.Massingham, the long 5-mile road (well-surfaced & leading to Grimston), cuts across "The Peddars Way".

Trust me, it's worth exploring & traversing - Plenty of wildlife & it really is a beautiful setting - (still one of my fave Norfolk roads)


As regards to a suitable (ideal) site for camping/tent/cycling in the locale....I've this suggestion, as they have a small camping field there...

It's a Pub down St.Andrews Lane (Congham), called "The Anvil" - It's out of the way, quiet, peaceful & ideal for cyclists.

You'd get there by cycling from Gt.Massingham (or the Peddars-Way track), to Grimston, then Broadgate Lane (beside 3 x Horseshoes Pub)

Their food is GOOD but the Beer is a bit pricey, so, it's ideal to stay (camp) there, but "if" ya love beer, "The Limes" is the place to go.

Am suggesting there ("Limes", Fakenham) as you CAN lock yer bike to the railings (under the huge gazebo/canopy & it'll be safe there.

And of course, because it then "gives you the excuse" to traverse the wonderful route I've suggested above, TYPED IN BOLD

There "is" a (large) Wetherspoons at "The Globe" in Kings Lynn - But alas, TWO bikes have been 'stolen' there, even in April.

Both (ironically) were Bar-staff that work there (I know them) -One of them is Sarah, my fave gal - (she serves my beer !)

Both bikes (one outside The Globe & the other, at K.L Railway-Station), were chained-up - Thieves used bolt-croppers.


However, GREAT news is, once ya get outside the metropolis, bikes are safe as houses (generalising)

I've FAR more suggestions, but, this post is long-enough already AND "I'm Late To The Party" (thread)

If I'm not too late & can chuck in anymore -(assuming you've not cemented your route)- Gimme a shout.

"Hawny" - The ageing Londoner, in self-imposed-exile
 
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