Dog friendly walks close to Sharrington, Norfolk – with nice places to stop along the way

Posted May 2019

Dog Friendly Norfolk Walks

Bringing your dog to Daubeney Cottage? To help you make the most of your stay a few suggestions for dog friendly walks near Sharrington in North Norfolk.

Cley Downs to Salthouse

A wonderful five and a half mile walk starting in the pretty coastal village of Salthouse. The walk heads uphill out of the village onto the heath and gorse around Bard Hill, where you’ll find the remains of a WWII radar station.

Cley Downs Walk from Salthouse

The view from Cley Downs

Heading west, the path then drops down to join the coast path at Cley Marshes Nature Reserve.  The walk then returns to Salthouse via the beach.   For a place to stop try The Dun Cow in Salthouse, always popular with walkers.

Baconsthorpe Castle

Baconsthorpe Castle is a ruined, moated and fortified 15th century manor house lying to the south of the village of Bodham, near Holt.  The castle is surrounded by a moat and picturesque lake and a lovely spot for a picnic. The Castle, managed by English Heritage has free entry and plenty of parking.

The view of the Lake from Baconsthorpe Castle

The Lake at Baconsthorpe Castle

You will find this five mile circular walk relatively easy. Either start the walk in the village of Baconsthorpe or at the castle. Parking is free and the walk is well signposted. The walk can be extended into Sheringham Park where there is a small cafe, a good place to stop for a cup of coffee or a sandwich or try the Red Hart in the village of Bodham.

Cockthorpe to Morston

This walk starts in the small hamlet of Cockthorpe near Stiffkey. Standing on a ridge of high land, Cockthorpe has stunning views all around. The walk runs down through rolling farmland and crosses the disused runway and perimeter tracks of Langham Second World War Airfield before reaching Cockthorpe Common, a beautiful valley.

The walk then follows the edge of Stiffkey salt marshes and return through the old Langham Airfield.  Built during during the Second World War the airfield was a base for planes including Beaufighters, Hurricanes, Mosquitoes and Wellingtons.  If you have time stop off at Langham Dome, one of only a handful of anti-aircraft gunnery domes left in the UK.

Wells, Warham & Wighton

This circular walk, starting in Wells next the Sea, takes in the pretty flint villages of Warham and Wighton. The eight mile walk follows the route of the Wells and Walsingham light railway.  There is plenty to see along the walk including

Three Horseshoes at Warham

The Three Horseshoes in Warham

one of the best preserved Iron Age Forts at Warham Camp.  The walk returns via the curiously named Gallow Hill on the Holkham estate. A good place to stop for a bite to eat is the Three Horsehoes in Warham or  try the newly refurbished Carpenters Arms in Wighton.

Itteringham

Start from either Itteringham village or Blickling Car Park and walk back towards Itteringham. This is a lovely rural walk through water meadows, open countryside and unspoilt Norfolk Villages on part of the Weavers Way.

The walk returns via The Blickling Estate. There are several variations and extensions of the walk so do take an OS with you. Stop at either the Saracen’s Head or the Walpole Arms in Itteringham for lunch or stop at the charming village shop in Itteringham for a cup of tea. Perfect.

If you are walking in open countryside with dogs please respect the countryside code and keep to the footpaths.  Dogs should be under control and on leads especially where there is livestock.