Harry Carter, the grammar school's art teacher of the 1960s, was responsible for a great number of the carved village signs that are now found in many of Norfolk's towns and villages, including Swaffham's own sign commemorating the legendary Pedlar of Swaffham,[6][7][8] which is in the corner of the market place just opposite the old school's gates. A Gannett Company. Many of Norfolks towns have a particular charm and a strong sense of community. [note 1] Instead locomotives were obtained from Manning Wardle & Co. There's electric heating throughout and an open fire with coal and logs provided. Steam-hauled passenger services ceased in 1955 when newly arrived diesel multiple units began work out of Dereham, where the steam engine shed closed at the same time. The 56-lever Tyers 4" frame controlled extensive goods facilities on both sides of the line with the crossing gates being operated by a wheel. Almost immediately you pass the entrance to the parish Church of St Peter and St Paul's, which dates mostly from the 15th century and whose distinctive spire can be seen for miles around. [28] Shortly after the sale, Swaffham Town Council gave BCD a parcel of land next to the centre on which BDC intends to build a leisure centre. The turntable line was reached from the signal box by way of west-facing points. The new walk and cycle path would include a connection to the Peddars Way, which would enable walkers to branch off towards the north Norfolk coast. (October 1995). 'Walking your way around Swaffham, you will see many fine examples of historic architecture and you will experience a sense of traditionalism mixed with the energy of modern day life. violets. We do not publish these resources on the Internet, but they are available to walk leaders from our Secretary, who can supply them on a CD. Tools The Bury and Thetford (Swaffham Branch), also known as the Crab and Winkle Line, [1] was a railway line in England. Streetmap Nat.Grid: TF 817 095 GPS: Lat,Long 52.6535,0.6851 what3words: seated.clerk.corded This photograph was taken shortly after 4th May 1964 and all services had been withdrawn. Climb to a junction and then turn left along White Cross Road. The shed was closed by the GER in 1914. The project previously reported has now been approved See full article, A former Norfolk railway line could become a new walking and cycling route between two of the county's towns, according to newly-published documents. Despite BRs modernisation attempts the end was signalled in Dr. Richard Beechings report The Reshaping of Britains Railways, published in March 1963 and closure of Norfolks branch lines began with some urgency. The quiet market towns of Fakenham and Swaffham are prime examples, as well as Thetford, with its popular museum focusing on the TV comedy seriesDads Armywhich wasfilmed in the area. After the first kilometre or so along Procession Road, we have lost the historic route of the Roman road, which we won't regain until after Castle Acre. [11], The Swaffham Museum is a small, independent social history museum for Swaffham and the surrounding villages in Norfolk from the Stone Age to the modern. As regards tickets issued for travel, Mr T C F Vollacott wrote a short history of the two railways. Thirteen down trains stopped: one came from Thetford via Watton. We tend to be a bit slower than a typical Ramblers group because we stop to examine structures and artefacts along the way. Steam-worked passenger trains ceased running through Swaffham at the end of the 1955 summer timetable after which all services was operated by DMUs based at Dereham. To a passer-by on the A1065 north of the town centre there is no indication that a railway once crossed the busy main road. The railway was taken over by the Great Eastern Railway in 1880, with the locomotives joining the GER stock list. Walking routes starting in Turbine Way, Swaffham. Stanley C Jenkins, in his book about the Lynn & Dereham Railway, gives us the names of many of the Station Masters in charge at various places and times. Not shown in the tables, a train for Norwich and its market left on Saturdays only at about 8.40am. [29] The highest and lowest temperatures reported in the past decade are 34.6C (94.3F) during August 2003,[30] and 10.3C (13.5F) during January 2010.[31]. If you want to see what's in store for you before you go, why not check out the video below! There is a Pingo Trail sign at the top of the hill so it's quite easy to see! The engines were housed in a shed at Watton. The coming of the railway invigorated business in the town and two large monthly cattle markets brought livestock traffic to the railway. The mostly spacious bedrooms are thoughtfully furnished to ensure guest comfort You can read all about the history of Swaffham, along with seeing an excellent exhibition dedicated to Howard Carter and his discoveries in Egypt. The North Norfolk Coast is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and probably the finest of its kind in Europe. Reepham and the Marriott's Way | AA RatedTrips.com The name of the town derives from the Old English Swfa hm = "the homestead of the Swabians"; some of them presumably came with the Angles and Saxons. Two giant wind turbines dominate the views to your right, and the eight turbines of the wind farm at North Pickenham are visible across the fields to your left. 1st Class singles were white, 2nd rose, 3rd green and parliamentary buff coloured. Some of the main platform edging and surface survives. Manning Wardle of Leeds supplied the companys first locomotives after an offer from Robert Fairlie to test his Fairlie Steam Carriage was rejected. Located in the centre of historic Swaffham and originally a coaching inn in the 16th century, the hotel offers a range of bedroom styles and sizes. The path crosses the dismantled railway and, after about a mile (1.6km) of peaceful traffic-free walking, comes out on the North Pickenham Road. All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor Office for National Statistics & Norfolk County Council (2001). The section of line between Stow Bedon and Wretham was intended to be used for a new road, and Stow Bedon station was demolished as part of this plan. Some integration had happened and one train ran through from Lynn to Thetford, going forward to Bury, except on Mondays. Travelling south from Swaffham there were stations at Holme Hale, Watton, Stow Bedon, Wretham& Hockham and Roudham Junction. An exhibition of Carters work in Egypt can be seen in the town museum, which also serves as the tourist information centre. That came to fruition on 15 November 1876. They point out that similar links have been created along other disused railway lines across the country, such as the 13-mile Bristol and Bath Railway Path, which hosts some 2.5 millionjourneys per year. The 15km trail would create a new link between Watton and Swaffham, whose railway line closed in 1965. Today the town is known for the presence of two large Enercon E-66 wind turbines. The new route running along its length would start at Loch Neaton, in the centre of Watton, and finish at the site of Swaffhams old station. . Norfolk Archaeological Index Primary Record Card. We have developed resources to help our walk leaders design and plan railway walks ranging from straightforward events over official railway paths to walks which require negotiation with landowners. The plans - produced by a cohort of consultants - outline how a select number of investments in the towns could boost economic growth across the district. By using this site, you agree to its use of cookies. For the purposes of local government, the parish falls within the district of Breckland.[3]. By 1960 no steam locomotives plied the line on passenger trains and the Sunday service had disappeared. Earth was extracted from a pit beside the route. WhifflersWalks - Swaffham - Google Sites I really enjoyed this next section of the walk. [24] In 2008 the energy company Ecotricity took over the management of the site[25] and in 2012 the visitor centre was renamed the Green Britain Centre. A former Norfolk railway line could become a new walking and cycling route between two of the county's towns, according to newly-published documents. Once through Cranberry Rough, you then follow the straight disused Thetford to Swaffham railway track for a while, along open farmland, and this path eventually takes you all the way back to the car park. There are various exhibitions on display throughout the year and children's activities in all A castle mound was raised here by the Earls of Surrey in about ad 1080, and the first stone castle was added around the 11th century. It would . Swaffham railway station was located in Swaffham, Norfolk. . As you venture out in to the rural surrounds of the town, you will have the opportunity to explore the fascinating remains of castles, churches and priories, to learn more about Breckland's natural environment and discover how this has influenced land-use and communities throughout the ages.'. A little bit further on I another found a sign as well as some interesting long horned cattle. The park remains today, bordered on one side by the abandoned railway embankment.[13]. [27] In 2021 the building was sold to manufacturer Flexion Global for use as their headquarters. There is no national registry of who owns old railways and so our volunteers have to find out the hard way by research, letters and visits to find out who owns what, followed up by personal requests which, of course, have to be handled with some skill. Tickets from Michael Stewart (except 1527) Brian Halford. Trains began running on the Lynn & Dereham Railway on 10 August 1847 after the line was extended from Narborough. The lake used to be dominated and almost completely covered with a plant called Water Soldier, and although it provided ideal habitat for a lot of wildlife, it also takes the oxygen out of the water. The tale tells of a pedlar from Swaffham who dreamed for several consecutive nights that if he waited on London Bridge he would eventually hear good news. The North Norfolk Railway (NNR) - also known as the "Poppy Line" - is a heritage steam railway in Norfolk, England, running between the coastal towns of Sheringham and Holt. (Tim Chant). Country town and its surrounding farmland, Lead required in town, and under strict control on the lanes, OS Explorer 236 King's Lynn, Downham Market & Swaffham, Car park in centre of Swaffham, by Market Cross. A Brief History of the Watton and Swaffham Railway - also known as the Bury and Thetford (Swaffham Branch) Railway It hadnt gone far during the time it took me to walk the 7 or so miles but because the last stretch is parallel to where I was walking earlier, it had just walked across these two tracks! Find the travel option that best suits you. Tickets for travel from intermediate stations, except at Watton, were issued by the guard. Steam locomotives worked out of Swaffham engine shed, a sub-shed of Norwich Thorpe (shed code 32A in BR days). A large wooden door from the rear yard may be original and is intact. Theres a small bird watching hide overlooking Thompson Water surrounded by lots of bird feeders hanging from the trees, and its definitely worth stopping at, not least to rest your legs! Nowadays, the station site is occupied by a small housing estate called The Sidings, which is as predictable as any name in such a location. Turn right here and head back in the direction of Swaffham. (See below)Line immediately south-east of Swaffham Junction is an overgrown cutting so small that it would be hard to believe it were a railway were it not for the overbridges.E. ", "Environmental centre was 'too difficult' to convert into leisure facility, says council", "International firm to move global HQ to Norfolk town", "History of Greyhounds: 18th and 19th Centuries", Information from Genuki Norfolk on Swaffham, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Swaffham&oldid=1144919603, Short description is different from Wikidata, Wikipedia articles incorporating a citation from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica with Wikisource reference, Articles with MusicBrainz area identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 16 March 2023, at 08:46. An 8.20 am Thetford to Watton train returned from the market town at 8.49 am after a five minute stop. Common. You occasionally have to keep an eye out for way markers, but Norfolk Trails have upgraded the posts, so you shouldn't have a problem. 6h 33m. RailwayRamblers - Exploring old railways Roudham Junction to Watton was closed completely at this time, and the remainder was closed to freight on 19 April 1965, after transporting the final sugar beet and coal traffic. In Kingdom the town is called Market Shipborough. Now closed.Roudham Junction - Wretham and Hockham - Stow Bedon (siding) - Watton (with siding) - Holme Hale (siding) - Swaffham Junction.Section each side of Stow Bedon station taken up, part of trackbed covered by farm buildings at Griston where there remains a crossing keepers cottage and shed.Stow Bedon station has been totally removed.E. The road bends left and heads into the countryside, with the sails of a giant wind turbine turning up ahead. This was the old site of the Stow Bedon railway line (part of which youll walk on towards the end). Place. tokeep up to date with 4 different tips every month for enjoying what Norfolk has to offer. Photographs from the 1950s show passenger work in the hands of D16 4-4-0s and goods trains hauled by various former Great Eastern 0-6-0 types. Those ads you do see are predominantly from local businesses promoting local services. Find out more about our monthly newsletterhere, Email: suzy@explorenorfolkuk.co.ukTel: +44 (0) 7765 668188Address: Explore Norfolk UKPalgrave HouseSporleKing's LynnNorfolkPE32 2EN, Booking FormEnquiry FormTerms and ConditionsFrequently Asked QuestionsPayment Page, Copyright© explorenorfolkuk.co.uk; 2013- All Rights Reserved, If you enjoy walking holidays, then you may like to walk the. I expected to see a few Pingo ponds, but nothing like as many as there were. The start of the Pingo Trail is through a kissing gate and the path is very obvious along here. To the east of the level crossing there were two sidings shunted from the station direction; these lay on the north side of the running lines. Swaffham Belt Path | Map, Guide - Norfolk, England | AllTrails is very dog friendly, as I wanted to discover walks that didn't require much road walking or time on leads. Swaffham - Travel guide at Wikivoyage The idea has been suggested as part of Breckland Councils Future Breckland project, for which a plan covering each of the districts five market towns has been produced. This abutted the station building constructed of knapped flint with brick quoins and stone window surrounds. Five trains left for Dereham, one more on each of Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. If you have a complaint about the editorial content which relates to People gathered in Swaffham for 'the season', and so many clergymen ranked among their numbers that the Bishop of Norwich was reported as being concerned that they were neglecting their parishioners. The route either side of Stow Bedon station has been removed, and the station site levelled. The Junction box was taken out of use at this time. Record Card: NAU Staff. The civil parish has an area of 11.42sqmi (29.6km2) and in the 2001 census had a population of 6,935 in 3,130 households, which increased to 7,258, in 3,258 households, at the 2011 census. Its a remarkably handsome house with a high gatehouse and surrounded by a wide moat. From this distance in time we can only speculate about why this was scheduled. In the summer of 2006, location filming was done in the town for the ITV1 series Kingdom, starring Stephen Fry. I have done it quite a few more times and each time I love it more than the last time! An express left for Lynn and Peterborough at 8.25am, non-stop to Lynn. The first of these began operation in 1999[19] and the second in 2003. A short distance beyond the engine servicing area a second signal box was later provided on the south side to control the junction of the Lynn & Dereham Railway and the Watton & Swaffhams line. Shortly after its arrival a light engine set off from Dereham back to Swaffham! The line was important for coal, poultry, sugar beet and RAF cargo, and joined the Lynn and Dereham Line (NHER 13600) at Swaffham. Two sidings shunted from the east lay on the north side of the running lines and there was a long one on the south side. This part of Norfolk has the highest density for Pingo ponds and I can guarantee you certainly wont be disappointed with what youll see. Indeed, on weekdays, a traveller might reach Swaffham only as late as 9.44 pm, whilst on Sunday evening it was midnight exactly when the second train reached the town! Rose (NLA), 16 June 1995.Overbridge north of North Pickenham village still marked RJS 2409 14 miles 15 chains.The embankment remains in part to the east.E. This trail is great for running and walking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Civil Liability insurance should not be confused with accident insurance: it does not cover members for accidents, but for things such as any damage that our visit might cause to private property, unlikely though that is. Here youll find a string of quaint villages and small towns Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea and Cley next the Sea are 21st-century favourites, whileSheringham and Cromer are classic examples of a good old-fashioned seaside resort where grand Victorian hotels look out to sea. Of the intermediate stations only Dunham and Narborough had definite stops. 1974-1988. After about 0.5 miles (800m) you reach a sign on your right saying 'Peddars Way Restricted Byway Pickenham 3km'. This is Downton station, the first stop south of Salisbury on the LSWRs cross-country line from Salisbury to Wimborne, whence most services continued to Bournemouth West (although Dorchester and Weymouth could also be reached directly).