Cycling in Norfolk
Sheringham Park to Baconsthorpe Castle
Cycling in Norfolk is fun and relaxing. There are so many small roads that you can design a circular route of almost any distance knowing that the road traffic will be light and slow. The added bonus is that Norfolk is renowned for being flat, well almost, and that makes it so much more enjoyable!
Here we have created a circular ride of just over 10 miles that starts from the National Trust Sheringham Park car park and visits the Baconsthorpe Castle ruins before returning to Sheringham Park. There is plenty of interest as the route passes through small hamlets and villages, and the castle ruins are very romantic.
We believe the best time of year for this ride is between mid-May to the end of June because the rhododendrons at Sheringham Park should be in display, and we can vouch that it is a wonderful, colourful sight!
Another plus point for being in Norfolk at this time of year is that it is also asparagus and strawberry season. So, on the way back home or to your holiday accommodation, stop at a farm shop and buy something nice and fresh for dinner that evening. We’ve holidayed in Norfolk at this time of year for these reasons year after year.
View Towards the Sea from Sheringham Park © essentially-england.comHowever, if you can’t make it in May/June Sheringham Park is good for a walk whatever time of year. The walk down the hill to the lookout tower offers so many excellent views, and if you’re lucky you may even see a steam train running along the North Norfolk Railway in the distance.
Cycling in Norfolk – Sheringham Park to Baconsthorpe Castle Route Map
If you use Komoot GPS tracking for your route planning, then you can link to the details here.
The ride itself uses small rural roads and passes several pubs if you want to stop for lunch or a drink. As the route starts from the National Trust car park it may be wise to jump off your bike(s) when crossing the main A148 road. The route passes through West Beckham where there is a pub, and turns right towards Bodham, where there is another pub. This is starting to look like a pub crawl!
In Bodham, the route turns left and passes Willow Lakes where there are good photo opportunities, then the lovely small flint walled Bodham Church (yet more photo opportunities). This is what we really like about cycling in Norfolk, there are just so many nice quiet roads and there are always little places to stop and look at.
Sheringham Park in Bloom © essentially-england.com
Sheringham Park Walk to Lookout Tower © essentially-england.com
The loop continues to twist and turn until it passes Selbrigg Pond, which will also offer good photo prospects, before the route takes you into the village of Hempstead. This village has another flint-decorated church, but no pub!
As the ride approaches Baconsthorpe, just opposite the Hare and Hounds Inn, is a gravelled track called Hall Lane. This may be a bit rough but should be rideable all the way up to the Baconsthorpe Castle car park.
Baconsthorpe Castle Outer Gatehouse © essentially-england.com
Baconsthorpe Castle Ruin © essentially-england.com
Baconsthorpe Castle is a ruined, moated manor house dating from the fifteenth century. It was built by the Heyden family who owed their wealth to the law and the trade in wool and cloth. While they had the funds to build the house, later they amassed huge debts and had to start demolishing their home to sell the building materials. There are plenty of information boards around the site that explain the story of their rise and fall.
After exploring the castle, the cycle route leaves the car park on a smoother road to West Beckham and the last push back to the start point.
This is truly a lovely little ride, and with visits to Sheringham Park and Baconsthorpe Castle makes a great day out. We did the ride in the morning, and after cakes and tea in the National Trust café walked around Sheringham Park in the afternoon.
For more information on opening times and events at Sheringham Park please check the National Trust website and for Baconthorpe Castle use the English Heritage website.
Happy cycling, we hope you enjoy your cycling in Norfolk!
Are You Planning a Holiday in Norfolk?
Where You Could Stay
Norfolk has no shortage of fabulous holiday accommodation whether you want to spend time on the beach, love boating or want to explore inland. You may covet a tiny fisherman's cottage like the one in Blakeney we kept returning to. You may like something larger and more modern like a loft overlooking the Norfolk Broads, or the right place for you may be a chic city apartment perfectly placed to explore Norwich...
To see other holiday cottages in Norfolk click here. Or check out holiday cottages in other parts of England by clicking here.
Or you could try a family orientated holiday resort in Lincolnshire as there's plenty of choice...
If you need to find a hotel, then try one of these search platforms...
What You Could See and Do
It's next to impossible to be bored in Norfolk, there's just so much to do and see. The list below includes some of our favourite places
- Explore Norwich with its shops and two cathedrals and pay a visit to Norwich Castle and its teapot museum.
- Visit Admiral Lord Nelson's birthplace at Burham Thorpe and read the report of the Battle of Trafalgar in a copy of The Times from 1805
- Spend a day at Sandringham and Castle Rising castle
- Take a ride on the Holt to Sheringham Railway and explore the beautiful little town of Holt and the seaside town of Sheringham
- Explore the ruins of Castle Acre and Castle Acre Priory
- Shop in Burnham Market
- Wander around the small town of Blakeney, explore the church and harbour before making an attempt to reach the seals at Blakeney Point
- Admire the famous windmill and go birdwatching in Cley-next-the-Sea
- Be wowed by the rhododendrons in Sheringham Park
- Visit Anne Boleyn's family home, Blickling Hall, or explore Oxburgh Hall, a fabulous manor house with a moat.
- Go wildlife spotting while walking through the Cley marshes from Blakeney
- Or even fish for crabs and wander along the famous pier at Cromer.
For more holiday ideas return from cycling in Norfolk to the Norfolk page.
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