Norfolk's Holy Land

Start: Pentney Mill

Finish: King's Lynn

Distance:14.4 miles

Elevation: 300 ft 

Pentney Mill stood here, straddling the river, its history as so often lost, apart from the curious inquest into a potential murder at the mill. Horses fed and watered, boats moored, Ale flows like the river, an argument, a blow across the head, a parting and a dead body in the river, accident or murder? The inquest at the Windmill Inn decided the fate of one and

the epitaph of another. The medieval village cross and the abbey gatehouse offer a temptation of a short detour into the village, follow the path north. An alternative detour heads south for those who want to explore more of the valley, a path that leads to the remains of Wormegay mott and bailey castle, former rabbit warrens, a forest and community run pub nestled on a village green. Itin_2
The river winds west, now deep, but clear, aquatic weeds rooted in the mud reach to the surface and wave in a synchronised just below the surface. At Setchey in 1258 a famous 'Beast Market' famous for its Scottish bred cattle put this small unassuming village on the map. Centuries later Oliver Cromwell's army set up camp next to the bridge, jealously guarding the crossing to King's Lynn. Besieging the royalist town of Lynn, the Earl of Manchester told women and children to leave with haste before the final assault of his forces.

Jump forward to1918 and oil men descend upon the village, in a tale of a boom and bust, the ground oozed a black gold rush. Shale oil was discovered, eighteen months later and distillation works, refineries and railways were sprawled across the village, wooden huts, a canteen and very busy pubs, even a football team graced the local amateur league. There was however a bad smell about this venture, sulphur to be precise. Contaminants in the oil that made it an unviable venture. The people left, leaving only the shanty town. Cross carefully the A10 and follow the water to the sea at Lynn. Under the black rivets of the railway bridge and onwards as Shakespeare wrote 'To Lynn, my lord, and ship from thence to Flanders.' Act IV, Scene 5, Henry IV, part III, well not anymore, but a hint of new treasures to explore in this historic town.

Getting there

Access to public transport is available in both Castle Acre and Kings Lynn. Walking routes could take a visitor to Norwich via the next section of the Nar Valley Path. 

Bus

Buses are available from Kings Lynn to Castle Acre. Alternatively, one can catch a bus from Kings Lynn Transport Interchange to Swaffham and either walk the 4.5 miles to Castle Acre as an extra leg of the journey or take a local taxi.

Train

Kings Lynn has a train station that links to the national train network at Ely and Cambridge. 

Accessibility

The itinerary uses Norfolk County Council (NCC) Nar Valley path (NVP) and some public rights of way, footways and quiet lanes (C roads or less). Surfaces of paths can change, but main NCC trails are normally maintained well in normal circumstances, but inclusive access could well be affected by weather and as the route is near a river, potential flooding could occur especially during the winter months. The route does involve crossing the normally busy A47 and A10 at Setchey. Some uphill sections but can be avoided via the NVP if an issue. Access to all activities is possible by other transport means.

Local visitor information

• Visit West Norfolk website (opens new window) for more information about accommodation, food and local activities.
• Visit Norfolk website (opens new window) to find out about guided tours of the King's Lynn Pilgrimage trail.