April 2026 Update
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April Walks Update Good morning everyone We have finally made it to spring with Easter almost upon us and the prospect of lighter evenings. We just need the weather to warm up so we can come out of hibernation! Many of us however have enjoyed a full schedule of winter walks with challenge events also thrown into the mix. Some of our Norfolk and Suffolk members ventured further afield to take part in The Pennine 24, The Hannington Hike and The Sevenoaks Challenge. Tomorrow a number of us will be taking part in The Capital Challenge. Always a busy time of the year with members training for The Hundred in May. Looking further into the year, can I draw your attention to the groups Isle of Wight walking weekend 11-13 September 2026. A long weekend of coastal and downs walking on the Isle of Wight, hosted by Sue Clements, supported by Jill Green, Jim Catchpole. We will be based in Newport and cover three planned walks over Friday–Sunday, combining dramatic sea views, chalk downs and classic island villages. Expect mixed terrain, full day of walking and a friendly, steady group pace. A classic Isle of Wight walking weekend….. Contact: Chair.norfolkandsuffolk@ldwa.co.uk Key details
Hosts will circulate final joining instructions, exact meeting points and any last minute updates via a WhatsApp group nearer the event date. Booking accommodation is the priority if you wish to attend. Full details of the itinerary can be found on our website Norfolk & Suffolk LDWA - Isle of Wight trip Finally for those of you that may not have not heard the sad news of Peter Edwards passing earlier this month. Peter was heavily involved in the N&S LDWA as a former treasurer of the group, a challenge event walk creator, a walk leader and social event organiser. Known for his willingness to always show up and help he will be very sadly missed. Julian White has written of his memories of Peter on the groups Facebook page and details of his funeral will be announced in due course. Upcoming Walks Schedule-Please refer to the website for new additions and later dates for the diary
Wed 1st Apr 2026 Spring Wednesday Walk- Cross Boundary Group Walk - 15ml. 9:30 Bridgham Lane (off West Harling Road), Harling, Norfolk, NR16 2SE. What three words: shallower.punters.residual. Please check the location prior to travel; the postcode covers a large area. (GR TL967836). The first few kilometres are forest based. We then pick up the Devis Ditch & follow it south towards Garboldisham & then Blo Norton which is the likely lunch stop. A section of the Angles Way takes us past Thelnetham windmill & onto Hopton. We then head through Hopton fen towards Gasthorpe & the site of the now closed Riddlesworth school. From there it is an easy stretch along a quiet lane & forest track back to Bridgham Lane General Notes Paths along the route are varied but mainly good. A lot of the route is either in or close to the forest. Please bring enough food & drink to last the entirety of the walk. Dogs welcome; there are some sections of the walk where dogs must be on a lead Contact Jon Inett Tel: 07799420492
Sun 5th Apr 2026 Cambridge & Countryside -Note change of date Group Walk - 22.5ml. 9:10 Meet at Trumpington P&R (free parking), CB2 9FT, by the bus stops (there are toilets). The route will be a mixture of urban and fenland walking and include parts of Cambridge City, River Cam, Bio-Medical Campus, and surrounding villages and countryside including Grantchester, Fulbourn Fen and Wandlebury General Notes Please text in advance There will be a car boot sale in part of the Trumpington P&R car park in the morning. There should still be plenty of spaces Contact Paul Cutmore and Mira Nair Tel: 07818 046579
Wed 8th Apr 2026 Group Walk - 21ml. 9:00 Old Trinity Hospital, Church Walk, Long Melford Post code : CO10 9DN. (GR TL865466). The route drops south from Long Melford Church to join and follow the Wool Towns Walk clockwise as it comes up from Sudbury. Notes : Free parking . Take Church Walk (Black Lion Hotel on corner) towards church; the parking area is in front of the old hospital which has a distinctive white tower with red crosses on white shields. General Notes Please bring sufficient food and drink for the day Contact Ray Orman Tel: 07980 840470
Sun 12th Apr 2026 Group Walk - 19ml. 9:00 Car park on B1125. (GR TM450726). Dunwich Forest, Blackheath, River Blyth from Blyford to Blythburgh, railway to Walberswick Common, Blyth round Tinker’s Marshes to harbour then Dunwich River to Westwood Marsh. No toilets, cover at lunch or refreshments. Expect mud & water. C: Martin Pooley Tel: 07831 339720
Sun 19th Apr 2026 Reserved for Crumptons Long Stratton Walk-Details to Follow Group Walk - Sun 10th May 2026 Group Walk - 11.5ml. 9:00 Hoxne Village Hall IP21 5AN. Parking at Hall. (GR TM180768). A circular walk starting from Hoxne Village, walking via Syleham, Brockdish, Thorpe Abbotts and Billingford. . The meeting will start at 1:00 after walk is finished. C: Yvonne and Roger T: 07813402072 Sat 16th May 2026 Group Walk – 18ml. 10:00 Chapel Bridge in St. Ives. PE27 5EP. W3W duet.wedge.receive Street parking is available along London Rd (free) or the paid c.p at the Dolphin hotel (£2 all day) We are exploring the area around the medieval town of St. Ives. The walk is an 18 mile circular taking in nearby villages situated on the River Gt. Ouse. The Hemingfords, Hougton & water mill, Holywell, the marina, the chapel bridge & quayside, flood meadows, part of the guided busway (formerly the St.Ives to Cambridge railway line), part of the Ouse valley way & part of the Pathfinder LDP. There will be a short break after 6 miles opposite Needingworth marina. Lunch stop at 12miles on St. Ives quayside (shops nearby) General Notes There is an early exit at 12miles at the lunch stop. Please bring the food you will need for the day as breaks will not be long enough to order food. Dogs on leads are welcome Contact Andy Dack Tel: 07342195531
Sat 30th May 2026 Group Walk - 21 or 15ml. 8:30 Norwich bus station (stand N), Surrey Street, Norwich, NR1 3NX. OS Expl map 237. What three words: goad.beyond.chemistry. (GR TG229080). Something a little different! The plan is to take the X44 bus at 08:35 from Norwich to Aylsham & walk back to Norwich; the route is therefore linear. The full distance is approx. 21 miles but it can be cut short at Drayton (approx. 15 miles) & getting a bus back into Norwich. General Notes Paths along the route are varied but mainly good, landscape is varied. Please bring enough food & drink to last the entirety of the walk; there is however an opportunity to restock at Drayton. Dogs welcome; there are some sections of the walk where dogs must be on a lead. Contact Jon Inett Tel: 07799420492
I hope you enjoy the schedule and as always I am still looking to fill the gaps and would therefore appreciate any walk leaders who can volunteer to assist. Happy Easter
Jane |
