Using two former railway lines, the Themelthorpe to Norwich (built in 1882) and the Themelthorpe to Aylsham line (completed in 1883) which provided a link to Wroxham. The lines were never profitable and freight service was largely agricultural produce. It was closed to passenger traffic in 1959. In 1960 the two lines were joined by the Themelthorpe curve to keep open the movement of concrete products from Lenwade Railway station. Complete closure came in 1985.Now called the Marriott’s way it’s a 24.5 mile multi-user path. Named after William Marriott, who was the Chief Engineer and Manager of the Midland and Great Northern Railway (M&GN) for 41 years. The route takes you by Drayton, Whitwell, where there’s a small steam railway, Themelthorpe, Reepham, Cawston and Aylsham. You could continue on the Bure line to Wroxham on the footpath, but there is the Bure ValleySteam Railway running alongside it. We contacted Norfolk CC to find out if there was equestrian access and were told that so long as there was no conflict with other users it would be acceptable. We advise if you choose to use the path you check the railway timetable against the distance you are covering.
Grid ref: TG 225 092 Norwich (If you do not want to go into the City there’s a bridlepath off to the right of Marroitt’s Way (Red brick Lane) where there a picnic site (Grid ref: TG 192 112)Grid ref: TG 195 264 Aylsham (Car parking at Bure Valley railway car park)
Using two former railway lines, the Themelthorpe to Norwich (built in 1882) and the Themelthorpe to Aylsham line (completed in 1883) which provided a link to Wroxham. The lines were never profitable and freight service was largely agricultural produce. It was closed to passenger traffic in 1959. In 1960 the two lines were joined by the Themelthorpe curve to keep open the movement of concrete products from Lenwade Railway station. Complete closure came in 1985.Now called the Marriott’s way it’s a 24.5 mile multi-user path. Named after William Marriott, who was the Chief Engineer and Manager of the Midland and Great Northern Railway (M&GN) for 41 years. The route takes you by Drayton, Whitwell, where there’s a small steam railway, Themelthorpe, Reepham, Cawston and Aylsham. You could continue on the Bure line to Wroxham on the footpath, but there is the Bure ValleySteam Railway running alongside it. We contacted Norfolk CC to find out if there was equestrian access and were told that so long as there was no conflict with other users it would be acceptable. We advise if you choose to use the path you check the railway timetable against the distance you are covering.
Grid ref: TG 225 092 Norwich (If you do not want to go into the City there’s a bridlepath off to the right of Marroitt’s Way (Red brick Lane) where there a picnic site (Grid ref: TG 192 112)Grid ref: TG 195 264 Aylsham (Car parking at Bure Valley railway car park)
