HISTORY AND CONSERVATION WALK IN ACLE
From the Recreation Centre car park, proceed to the main road, Bridewell Lane and turn right, leaving the Methodist Chapel, built in 1989, on your right. Cross the road and then turn left towards the village centre. On your right is Crossways Terrace and at the rear, on the left, is an old house known as "Bridewell". This was the former village prison, built in 1570. Looking at the main driveway access, you can see two new brick columns forming a gateway to a new bungalow, and amoungst the left hand column is an old stone with two clasped hands. This is probably from and old Chapel and depicts a place of marriage.
Roman Woods
Access is via Boat Dyke Lane. This is a short circular walk, alongside the allotments and is passable most of the year. It is worth pointing out that most of the tree planting was undertaken by local volunteers! Damgate Lane/Weavers Way
Access is via Damgate Lane or from Reedham Road (see below). From Damgate Lane, Weavers Way heads north (across the A47 - please take due care when crossing!) or south towards Tunstall. Another option (for those wanting to head north) is to join Weavers Way via Boat Dyke Lane (see above). From here you pass through 2 gates which leads to the Dyke, along the river to the Acle Bridge Inn. You can either return to the village (path runs adjacent to the main road) from the Bridge Inn, or cross the river and continue the walk along Weavers Way, heading west. For a list of birds you may whilst walking, why not take a look at the table summary that Peter Cawley has kindly given to the Acle Website for reference. Damgate Woods
Access is from Reedham Road. A small stream known as Colemans Drain is fed by natural springs and water courses west of the village. 2000 years ago, it was a small river, probably tidal. The Doomsday Book of AD1086 mentions the Acle Water Mill which was in this area. The area was purchased by the Parish Council in 1993 and in 1994 the Acle Lands Trust was formed. In 1995 work began on access clearing in order to erect a boardwalk. The pond, or "Pingo" was built by members of the Princes Trust Volunteers, who established the first 75m hogging path. It is of great significance that the majority of work has been carried out by teenagers of Acle. Don't forget to look out for the dragonflies. Mill Lane
Street parking only available at the end of Mill Lane. From here, proceed down the marked Footpath towards Mill Farm. This walk heads due west towards Windle Farm, located nr The Windle. You pass the Jubilee tree plantation that would now be 2 years old where you can branch off and follow the smooth-surfaced path which heads towards the A47. You can return to the village via the footpath alongside the main road. Or for those who wish a longer walk, you can continue along Mill Lane to Burlingham Woods. Upton return by Fishley
Begin the walk at the Recreational Centre car park. Follow the road to the Hermitage. Cross the road to end of Acle Dyke. Turn left at top of the Dyke. Follow Weavers Way to Acle Bridge. Cross the road, keeping to same riverbank. Follow the path through the boatyard. After passing two chalets, either turn left (shorter route) or carry on along the riverbank (longer route).
Shorter Route
Go down to lower level and follow path alongside edge of a drainage dyke. Cross some styles into a wooded area. After crossing the metal bridge, turn left up the cinder track.
Longer Route
Follow the river bank passing Clippesby Mill on the opposite bank to the end of Upton Dyke. Just before the top end of the dyke, take the narrow path at the lower level around the edge of the marsh, coming to the junction with the cinder track. Pass the bungalow and turn right. Keep to the left hand fork in road and look out for footpath sign at the corner of the house with the large lawn. The path is easy to follow back across the fields to Fishley Church. Cross another field, pass the pillbox on the left and follow the track which leads to Pyebush Lane. At the corner of the playing field, follow the path around the boundry of the playing fields which leads back to the Recreational Centre carpark.
Longer Circular Walk around Acle
Begin the walk at the Recreational Centre car park. Turn right at the Methodist Church. Cross the road and bear left in the village centre. Take the main road out towards Great Yarmouth. At the roundabout, cross over the Caister Road into Roman Woods (Acle Lands Trust). Follow the various paths around to the Hermitage Public House. Turn right down to the top of Acle Dyke then bear right to follow Weavers Way. Cross the main road and the level corssing. Immediately turn right, along the permissive path into Damgate Woods (Acle Lands Trust). Follow the path until you reach the road. Turn right under the railway bridge, then follow the railway path for Yarmouth Platform. At the station, continue up the approach road and turn right over the road bridge, down to the roundabout. Turn left up the slip road to the entrance of Jubilee Woods. Follow the path through the wood to the (Windle). Turn right along the track, passing the school playing field into Mill Lane, returning to the village centre.
Off street parking is available adjacent to Burlingham Church (sign posted from the road). Burlingham Woods, near Acle, offers a wonderful opportunity to follow a series of carefully-managed woodland trails along smooth-surfaced paths with plenty of rest stops to enjoy the bird song and the rich variety of trees (more than 15 species present). For more local information on Burlingham Woods.
A map of the village showing the various woods is available here. And remember please, take your rubbish home with you or place in bins where available, don't leave it in our beautiful woodland areas. Looking for information on walks in the Broadland, Norwich Fringe and South Norfolk areas? Then why not consider joining the Central Norfolk Health Walks - they list various walks in the region. This website has some excellent walks with maps around Norfolk and the Broads Walking in Norfolk