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The Bure Valley WayThe Bure Valley Way is a fairly short walk (only 14.5 kms / 9 miles) between Aylsham to Wroxham along a former British Railways line. Still used by a voluntary steam railway group, The Bure Valley Railway, the route also provides a good cycle and footpath, with good transport (the railway!) between one end and the other.
The route also provides a natural extension to Marriot's Way (Norwich to Aylsham 43 kms /26 miles) if you want a longer walk, or an excellent traffic-free day's cycling with excellent refreshment opportunities at Reepham, Aylsham and Wroxham. A number of circular walks from stations along the route allow for exploring this part of the Bure Valley.
Much more of the Bure Valley may be walked between Acle and Great Yarmouth from late spring through until early autumn. It's not waymarked and can become a bit overgrown. I wouldn't go near this section if flood warnings are in place though, as the river is tidal. Common sense required! Good walk though at the right time of year (about 15 miles or thereabouts, with villages not far off route for refreshments). Much scope here for a longer route.
Circular walk: Oxnead and BramptonThe circular walk starts from the free car park at the Buxton Station of the Bure Valley Railway. Cross the railway line and walk gently up the hill towards woodlands and the river Bure. An excellent riverside follows the river off to the right, however, today the path was blocked at the stile by a herd of cattle, including some cows and calves, one of whom took exception to us. (At the most easterly point of our walk shown on the map below. Flooding can also occur at this point, so this alternative to the Buxton and Llamas walk may be useful in the winter months.) Having recently been attacked by a cow protecting her calf, we decided to backtrack and follow the river in the other direction. More cattle, so we followed the route as shown below. Oxnead Hall, and its adjacent church, have origins that go back to the C.10th. The church is not one of Norfolk's finest but is not without interest and it has a C.14th font and is worth a visit. The churchyard is also a nice quiet place to sit and have a coffee.
![web 5845 St Michael and All Angels Church Oxnead edit.jpg]()
- St. Michael and All Angels Church, Oxnead
If cattle are absent the walk along the river to the Mill is worthwhile and it's worth spending a little time looking at the bridge and remains of the lock (information board).
From Brampton the railway line is easily picked up and followed back to the car park. This short walk combines well with the other Bure Valley walk previously described that starts from the same car park and follows the river to Buxton Llamas (See Norfolk: Bure Valley Way - Circular [1] Buxton and Llamas, 2016.09.03.)
3.05 miles 4.91 km Ascent: +31m -30m Naismith: 1h 2m
