Horsey - Martham Nature Reserve - Somerton - Horsey

Joe Jackson

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Horsey - Martham Nature Reserve - Somerton - Winterton Ness - Horsey

This lovely walk starts off by Horsey Windpump. The site is owned by the National Trust and the mill is a Grade II listed building. Entry to the windmill is available at a small charge. It is open from March to October and a viewing platform at the top offers some of the best views over the marshes and of Horsey Mere available in the area (see general photo). The walk starts by following a short section of road before taking a footpath alongside Martham Broad Nature Reserve. Rare breeding birds such as the bittern, bearded tit and marsh harrier and significant numbers of wintering wildfowl can be seen here, so keep a keen eye out in whatever time of year you do the walk! The walk then passes West Somerton Drainage Mill and arrives at the staithe.

The route next follows a track to the north-east, passing several wooded areas and open farmland to arrive at Winterton Ness. The path turns either way along the coast here, but our route heads north over the dunes and to a footpath about a kilometre before Horsey Gap. The path the route takes heads towards the Nelson's Head pub and follows a permissive path through fields back to the windpump, set up by the National Trust.

England - East England - Norfolk - Broads

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Flowers, Gift Shop, Great Views, Industrial Archaeology, Lake/Loch, Mostly Flat, National Trust, Pub, Sea, Toilets, Wildlife

8/29/2018 - Graham Hooker

Very much enjoyed this walk - in particular for seeing the now sizeable seal colony that has become established on the sands at Horsey and part of this route. Over the August bank holiday weekend there were close on 100 seals/pups basking on the sands at the waters edge. Locals said that in the winter months November to March the numbers can be as large as 1000 or so. The Nelson Head pub is also an unspoiled gem of a place well worth visiting. All these things add to the attraction of this lovely walk.