"Where sun and salt meet blood and barley, in the rise and fall of the sleeping land" Hugh Lupton 1999. Discover the natural, energising world of East Anglia and its National Trail.

The Peddars Way & Norfolk Coast Path starts in Suffolk at Knettishall Heath Country Park and follows the route of a Roman road to Holme-next-the-Sea on the north Norfolk coast. At Holme the Peddars Way meets the Norfolk Coast Path as it runs from Hunstanton to Cromer. Roman road, unique Brecks, rolling open farmland, low cliffs, extensive sandy beaches, dunes and fabulous salt marshes.

Walking:
This route has it all.Fantastic scenery and landscape cover the 150 km (93 miles) of the two trails of the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path. The majority of the Trails run through an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) or an Environmentally Sensitive Area.

Access for All:
The gentle terrain of the Trail makes it particularly suitable for people with special access needs. There are several lengths where you can gain equal access and enjoy the countryside. Braille, large print, audio and DAISY guides are now available through the UK library system. Quote ISBN 1-904823-24-6. We are also developing a groundbreaking website in conjunction with disability groups. Hopefully, funding permitting this should be available towards the end of 2006.

Cycling:
Much of the Peddars Way is open to cyclists. The Norfolk Coast Path is not. For a map of where you cannot cycle click here.

Horse Riding:
There is a special route available to horse riders of the Peddars Way. For those looking
to make a longer journey there is also an accommodation guide available. Wander along the Peddars Way through the Brecks Environmentally Sensitive Area or stride out along the coast in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Visit timeless flint villages, dally by quiet streams, be stunned by the expanse of Norfolk's beaches and skies and allow the setting sun over the coast to re-vitalise your spirit.

Experience some of our finest countryside between Winchester, first capital of England, and the white chalk cliffs of Eastbourne. If you are interested in great views, attractive wildlife, visible prehistory, fine pubs and pretty villages, or if you just fancy a challenge, the South Downs Way awaits you.

The route provides the visitor with the opportunity "to get away from it all". The 160 kilometre long South Downs Way follows the old routes and droveways along the chalk escarpment and ridges of the South Downs. The route provides the visitor with the opportunity "to get away from it all" without having to travel too far in this busy part of England. The undulating route provides a wonderful trip for long distance riders as well as walkers. It also provides interesting day trips and short breaks.

The Trail is shared by walkers, cyclists, and horse riders. Cyclists note; don't come up quietly on a horse from behind. Give a friendly shout so the horse and rider know you're coming.

Horse riders
Generally speaking the South Downs Way takes about 6 – 9 days to walk. Most people who are reasonably fit can do 12 –15 miles (say 20km) per day, but you might want to include a shorter day in the middle if you’re not used to long distance walking. Usually you’ll need to allow for an extra couple of miles (3km) or so each day to get to and from your accommodation as well as the “on Trail” distance.

Horse riders will generally be able to do a similar distance each day to fast walkers – say around 6 days for the whole Trail. The isolated nature of some of the Trail, and the need to cross several major roads, mean that riding the Trail on a horse is a much bigger challenge than walking it. You, and your horse, should be experienced and confident.

The best time to visit
The best times to complete the South Downs Way are May, June, and September when the weather is at its best. In the school summer holidays (mid July and August) the eastern half can be a bit busier than usual, but it is rarely crowded once you get away from a car park. Be prepared for both hot days and the possibility of a thunderstorm in high summer.

General advice
The path mostly runs on farm tracks and significant mud is rare. Unless the weather is very good proper boots are always advisable for walkers, however. Break them in well before starting! Cyclists should be careful of loose stones and approaching road junctions – wear a cycling helmet. All users should carry plenty of water as it can be difficult to get refill a water bottle during the day. Horse riders might find a collapsible bucket (so they can water their horses from a tap as well as a trough) helpful.

The Ridgeway National Trail, 85 miles (136km) through ancient landscapes. Over rolling, open downland to the west of the River Thames, and through secluded valleys and woods in The Chilterns to the east, following the same route used since prehistoric times by travellers, herdsmen and soldiers.

Britain's Oldest Road
87 miles (139km) long, much of it following the ancient chalk ridge route used by prehistoric man, The Ridgeway offers the chance to get away from the bustle of life in this busy part of England. Perfect, but not too strenuous, for long distance use, this Trail is also ideal for day trips or less. Perfect, but not too strenuous, for long distance use, this Trail is also ideal for day trips or less.Walkers can enjoy the whole of The Ridgeway and cyclists and horse riders considerable lengths – all of the 43 miles (69km) of the western half from Overton Hill to the River Thames at Streatley and some stretches east of the river in the Chilterns. Please note that vehicles can legally use the western half, and some parts east of the River Thames, but recreational vehicles are now banned from most of these areas from the beginning of October to the end of April each year.

If you’re a walker The Ridgeway is a great place to spend as much or as little time as you have – from a short walk with the dog to a hike of its whole 87miles (139km) length.

If you’re a cyclist or horse rider there are also lots of opportunities for you as can use the whole of the western half of the Trail. These pages will provide you with all the information you need to plan your visit.

Be prepared
The Ridgeway is rarely crowded once you get away from a car park and the best times to visit are April through to November when the path surface, the wildlife and the views are at their best. Be prepared for the elements: even in summer warm and waterproof clothing should be carried to cater for wind and rain. In the summer, especially on the western half which is exposed and a distance from the nearest settlement, wear protection from the sun and carry water since water points are relatively infrequent.

Walking the whole trail
For those planning on walking the whole of the Trail, you’ll probably take 6 full days to do it, an average of 14 miles a day, so it’s a good way to spend a week’s holiday. If you have seven days spare, it usually makes sense to start gently, say just half a day’s walk, and to have a short day in the middle, particularly if you’re not used to long distance walking.

Cyclists and Horse Riders
It’s difficult to give advice to cyclists since the distances a person can cycle varies so much, but horse riders will generally be able to do a similar distance each day to fast walkers – so the western half of the Trail can probably be ridden over two days.

The Pennine Way National Trail, 268 miles of chasing the Pennine Mountain tops along the rugged backbone of England, from the Peak District through the Yorkshire Dales and over Hadrain's Wall to the Cheviots. Amongst the finest upland walking in England.

CLICK HERE for the Pennine Way page

From April to September, England's equestrian calendar is packed with masses of horse shows and equestrian events so if you fancy a day out to watch horses and riders in action, there will always be something exciting happening. Horse shows offer an excellent opportunity to see some of the UK's rare native breeds such as Exmoor ponies, Suffolk Punches, Shire horses and Welsh and Highland ponies. A small local show can be as much fun to visit as some of the bigger events. There is always plenty of spectator sport and, as many local shows take entries on the day - why not enter your own horse while visiting? International events such as Badminton, Burghley, Gatcombe and Blenheim will enable you to see the best international horses and riders in action - and offer outstanding shopping opportunities too! The newly popular sport of TREC gives spectators the opportunity to watch competitors demonstrating control and partnership with their horse, cross country jumping and orienteering and endurance riding. Exmoor hosts the European Championships in September 2006.

To find out more about horse shows, equestrian events and activities across the UK regions, visit the Equinetourism.co.uk EVENTS & SHOWS LISTINGS section.