Great Houses & Golden Wonders

There’s history every pedal push of the way as you set off along rural Breckland lanes through a landscape closely associated with Boudicca’s Iceni tribe. First stop, Swaffham has its own tales to tell of legendary local lads who hit the jackpot. The town sign is the place to spot the famous Peddlar of Swaffham who sought his fortune in London, but returned to find his crock of gold in a local back garden; whilst the museum shares the story of Howard Carter, famed for his Tutankhamun finds in 1922, who grew up here and was originally fascinated by a friend’s  Egyptian artefacts at nearby Didlington Hall. St Peter & St Paul’s church is a treasure trove too with its awesome angel roof dating from medieval times and there are Regency delights to relish around by the wedge-shaped market place.

Back on the trail, beyond the wonderful walled gardens of West Acre, discover one of Norfolk’s real hidden gems – Castle Acre where you’ll find history in microcosm by the River Nar. The clue’s in the name, but as well as William de Warenne’s great 12th century castle earthworks and one of England’s largest and best-preserved priories, there’s a tiny, almost intact medieval town too. It’s the perfect place for a picnic and where you can resolve either to swap out onto a slightly shorter route (33 miles) for a longer stay if you wish, or perhaps to return on a ride another day. Pedaling on northwards, to the ancient abbey fishponds of picturesque Great Massingham, guided by the village’s mighty beacon of a church tower is certainly worth the few extra miles. Finally there are more village church gems to admire all the way to North Elmham,

We provide a selection of superbly scenic rides for you to explore Norfolk from historic North Elmham. Most include the chance to spot or visit a Great House along the way, but there are many other gems too. Which route will you choose today?

Mileage: Min 23 Max 45

Enjoy another great ride out from North Elmham. Don’t forget, if you fancy a gentler day, our selection includes shorter or less challenging circular routes to explore too.

Mileage: Min 23 Max 45

Back to the Brecks today, but if you’ve already explored Wymondham’s wonder-full abbey or fancy a gentler return ride to Watton, our mid-length (26 mile) option will lead you via the ‘lost’ village of Godwick and 18^th century Bradenham Hall where Lord Nelson once stayed and author of King Solomon’s Mines, Sir Henry Rider-Haggard, was born.

Our recommended route is packed with plenty of golden nuggets to discover too…

Take to the saddle and sidle up to the River Wensum for starters, heading for Swanton Morley, ancestral home of Abraham Lincoln. There are other American connections here too – at nearby Robertson Barrracks, Eisenhower stood alongside Churchill to witness the launch of the first British and US combined bombing raid in 1942. The Art Deco air traffic control tower still stands proud to this day, just like the village’s great church and windmill towers.

Pedal through timeless villages clustered around historic greens, commons and outstretched parklands and it’s not long before the twin towered abbey church of Wymondham comes into view. The market town of Wymondham may have its fair share of half-timbered buildings including the fine, octagonal market cross, but it’s the great abbey founded in 1007 steals the show. Uber-impressive on the outside, inside its 20^th century altar screen is a real golden wonder, but the medieval angel roof has to be its crowning glory.

Look out for the Victorian clocktower cottages at Little Ellingham, built in a timely fashion to house the local estate’s gardeners and the sad, creeper-clad ruins of St Andrew’s Rockland, before edging Wayland Wood of ‘Babes in the Wood’ fairytale fame on the final miles to Watton.

Mileage: Rec 35 Min 17 Max 35