Norfolk health, heritage and biodiversity walks - Enjoying the Norfolk ...

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Walk 11 Merton Sally’s Walk Start point Merton Village Hall (Home Farm Lane) Grid reference TF905989 • Postcode IP25 6QU Parking Merton Village Hall car park – free Distance 4.2 miles Details Minor gradients, 60% soft Walk instructions Please see important note on page 5. 1. Starting at the village hall, turn left on to the road. Walk along The Green and past Tottington Terrace. Head straight on to Crow’s Lane. 2. Take your first right on to a gravely lane where you see a public path post. After a few yards, bear left on to Sally’s Walk. 3. Follow the grassy path, continuing straight on along the edge of the field. You will see a belt of trees ahead. Bear left along the path as you pass the trees on your right and continue through the wood. 4. At the end of this woodland track, turn left on to an open track. You will see a view of the church through the trees. Go past The Lodge on your left and walk through the gates straight ahead of you to the road. 5. Turn right along the road. Walk for just under half a mile and then turn right on Sparrow Hill (you will see a war memorial at this junction). 6. Walk for just over three quarters of a mile and then turn right along Peddars Way. 44 7. Follow Peddars Way all the way to Home Farm and Hawthorn Farm. Go through a gate and continue past the farm along Home Farm Lane. 8. At the end of the track (where Peddars Way goes left), turn right on to the road (still Home Farm Lane). Walk for a quarter of a mile and then turn left in to the village hall. St Peter’s Church This church has an attractive setting in the park of Merton Hall with the great house nearby (superb views from behind the church). The west tower was built during the late 11th or early 12th century; some of it may date to before the Norman Conquest of 1066. The rest of the church dates to the 14th century, with later 15th and 16th century alterations. Merton Hall and Park Merton Park is part of the estate of the de Grey family, who have held the Manor of Merton since the early fourteenth century. In 1780 William de Grey was ennobled, becoming the first Baron Walsingham. Merton Hall was built of red brick in 1613, with a wing and extra rooms added during the 1830s and 1840s. All but the 1840s wing was destroyed by fire in 1956. There is a surviving 17th century red brick Jacobean style gatehouse to the east of the Hall. The landscape park was established by the early 18th century and was expanded during the late 18th century when woodland and an ornamental nursery were established. The great pond is one of several late 18th and 19th century additions to the park. 45
Walk 11 Merton Sally’s Walk Visit the church and you will find a stunning view of Merton Hall with its great pond; a lovely spot to enjoy a quiet moment before enjoying the rest of this pretty route. The Squares ‘The Squares’ is a County Wildlife Site; an area of broad-leaved plantation situated between Merton village and Merton Hall. The wood is old parkland type woodland, visually attractive with a mixture of tree species such as oak, silver birch, sweet chestnut and beech. There are some large old trees with spreading boughs. Sally’s Walk runs north to south through the wood. Merton Wood Merton Wood is another County Wildlife Site. Look out for bluebells as you pass; they are abundant across much of the woodland here in spring. You may also spot oak trees over 150 years old at the eastern end of the site. Ancient trees Due to the risks associated with live firing and the presence of legacy munitions on site, public access to Stanford Military Training Area is strictly prohibited. Warning signs are in place to highlight the boundary of the ranges. This horse chestnut in flower is just one of several ancient trees growing beside the road on the edge of Merton Wood. Beware of live firing! The land to the west of Peddars Way (shaded on the map) forms part of Stanford Military Training Area. Village Hall Hawthorn Farm Home Farm Stanford Military Training Area Home Farm Lane 46 47 Home Farm Lane Peddars Way P Key Walk 11 Parking P Church 0 ½km Start The Squares Merton Wood Sparrow Hill Merton Crow’s Lane Sally’s Walk The Lodge ¼mile War Memorial Watton Road © Crown copyright and database rights 2011 Ordnance Survey 100019340
Page 1 and 2: Norfolk health, heritage and biodiv
Page 3 and 4: Introduction Welcome to a land of e
Page 5 and 6: Walk 1 Loch Neaton/ Church Walk Sta
Page 7 and 8: Walk 2 Watton Church/ Town Green St
Page 9 and 10: Walk 3 Watton/ Merton Start point W
Page 11 and 12: Walk 4 Watton/ Wayland Wood Start p
Page 13 and 14: Walk 5 Ashill Church Start point Co
Page 15 and 16: Walk 6 Ashill Panworth Start point
Page 17 and 18: Walk 7 Caston/ Stow Bedon With part
Page 19 and 20: Walk 8 Thompson Common nature reser
Page 21 and 22: Walk 9 Sparrow Hill Start point The
Page 23: Walk 10 Carbrooke A peaceful and pr
Page 27 and 28: Walk 12 Great/Little Cressingham Wi
Page 29 and 30: Walks locations A47 Ashill Carbrook
Page 31: Going for a walk in natural surroun

Norfolk health, heritage and biodiversity walks - Enjoying the Norfolk ...

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