Happisburgh Boxing Day Circular Walk

 

It's a murky and misty morning as we make our way down the coast to Happisburgh (pronounced Hazeborough). We set off through the churchyard at St Mary's Church. It was demolished and rebuilt in the 15th century. The tall tower of St Mary's church is an important landmark for mariners ancient and modern. Warning of  the location of the treacherous nearby sandbanks.To the north of the church there is a mound marking the burial place of 119 British soldiers. The soldiers drowned when 'The Invincible' one of Nelson's fleet on the way to the Battle of Copenhagen was wrecked offshore on Hammonds Knoll.

Leaving the Church we follow the North Walsham Road before taking the footpath on the left hand side of the road. We walk past a caravan park that seems to be deserted, as we walk in the direction of Walcott Hall.It's mainly fields of crops, probably animal fodder and fairly uneventful. That is until we happen upon a a gathering of Tweed clad men with shotguns in the field directly ahead. Thankfully not the way we wished to continue.We didn't hear much gunfire, hopefully not too many Pheasants were dispatched. We followed the narrow tarmac road, taking us past Walcott House. The lady of the house was putting out bird feeders, we exchanged Christmas greetings over the pond. 

There is a brief sojourn with the B1159 as we we look for our next footpath on our left. It is still grey and damp, and doesn't look like improving. We find the path and it is a straight run now to the village of Ridlington.(19.7 miles (31.7 km) north-east of Norwich). The village is surrounded by land largely in arable use. We make our way past the half thatched church of St Peter. A German Zeppelin bomb damaged the Chancel end of the Church, around midnight on 24/25 April 1916.Just past the church are various paths leading in different directions. We need the one that follows the field edge before turning left and finding a gap in the hedge. We follow the green lane down to the road. 

 

St Peter's Church Ridlington

There is a bit of road walking to be done for a couple of hundred yards. A nice Christmas scene is playing is playing out on our left. Two lovely horses and a flock of Geese are gathered. Our next path could be easily missed. It's a narrow one that winds between tow flint cottages on our right. We end up back on the B1159 and follow the grass path edge before crossing close to a ditch. We are heading towards the coast path, this will take us right into the heart of Happisburgh and hopefully the Pub! Given the reputation for cliff erosion in the area I'm giving the edge a fairly wide berth.Down on the beach a dead Seal has been washed up on the sand. Someone has circled it and written in large letters 'RIP'. There are a few walkers around, we meet the lady from Walcott House who I had spoken too earlier. Another tells us that there was once a Caravan Park close to where we stood. It had to move swiftly before the sea could swallow it up

Very sadly Happisburgh is crumbling into the sea, and nothing seems to be able to stop it.During the last 20 years, 34 homes have crumbled into the water in Happisburgh because of coastal erosion.It is so susceptible to erosion because the cliffs are made from boulder clay which slumps when wet. The narrow beaches give less protection against the powerful waves, which increase in energy as they travel across the North Sea.You can clearly see the pipes and wires that remain coming out of the cliffs from previous properties. 

Abandoned pipes and wires

The Hill House Inn

I am very keen to visit The Hill House Inn, and not just for obvious reasons.Dating from the mid-16th Century it is packed with history. This rural retreat was a favourite with author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in the late 19th Century. It is said that it is here that he wrote arguably one of the greatest Sherlock Holmes stories ;The Dancing Men'. Other notable visitors from the Arts world include Sculptors Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth. Although set back from the Cliff top the pub has been given an estimated 15years before it too will fall to the mercy of the weather and the sea. I took the opportunity to enjoy a pint of  Lacons brewery festive  ale 'Saint Nick's 4.2%. Accompanied by a bottle of Adnams 'Tally Ho' Barley Wine. Quite a palatable combination I can confirm. 

Happisburgh is dominated by the red and white candy striped lighthouse, the last place to visit on this walk. The oldest working Lighthouse in East Anglia. It was first illuminated by oil and then in the 19th century by gas. Acetylene lighting was introduced in 1929 followed by electricity in 1949. In 1987 Happisburgh was one of five lighthouses declared redundant by Trinity House. Threatened with closure in 1988 it was saved by the village community. It is now the only independently run lighthouse in Brittain. In June 2018, the lighthouse was repainted. At a cost of £20,000, the work took two weeks by a specialist team of four painters using  300 litres of specially mixed masonry paints.

It has been  a really enjoyable walk , in total 8.37 miles. 

The John Bunyan Trail (4) Shefford to Shillington

It's another damp and overcast day on the Bunyan Trail. We are on the edge the town of Shefford in Central Bedfordshire. The first place of interest as we walk in an anti-clockwise direction is the village of Campton. It is a comparatively low-lying parish The church stands at around 150 feet above sea-level. Much of the parish is within ten feet of this either way.  

Once again we pass a mill but there is nothing really to see. Something of a disappointment really as I suspect there are going to be few highlights on this particular route. Anyway, keep reading because you never know what might be hiding around the corner? Only Meppershall Airfield! There are planes too parked up on the grass runway. No sign of any life though so we continue on our way towards Shillington. The path is set to take us across some extremely muddy fields.  

There is a potential alternative, although it will be a long way round. This would involve following the edge of the field, which does look a little less muddy. However the bottom edge is parallel to a stream, so a bit risky. Nothing for it then but to 'plough' on ahead. It is also very exposed to the wind and rain, as I always say though 'It's good to be out'. The map shows some interesting earthworks once we get over the the other side of the fields. What more incentive could there be? Sadly it was less 'Earthworks' and more 'sewage works'. We have now reached Shillington, and the point at which we reached on our last walk. We are about to make the turn and head back to the starting point. 

 

I always get quite excited when there is a Norman 'Motte and Bailey' to be found.This particular one is next to the Hills Moat. The 12th-century castle motte at Meppershall was built by William de Meppershall, a royal official who held the manor as a tenant-in-chief of the crown. The castle motte is roughly 25m x 30m and is surrounded by two baileys of irregular shape. The castle was certainly in existence by the reign of King Stephen, for the King issued a royal charter during a siege of Meppershall in 1138. In the 17th century, a timber-framed manor house was built on the castle site. Today the remains of the motte and both baileys can be seen.However they are out of bounds within the grounds of the manor.

An unfortunate name

The Manor house is an impressive building , with even more impressive gardens. Listed by English Heritage as Grade II and 'of special interest' in 1966. It is right next to the Church of St Mary's Meppershall. The listing describes the building as early seventeenth century, with much of the upper part having been rebuilt after a fire in 1959. The Manor House belonged to the De Meppershall family for nearly 300 years following 1086. St Mary’s Church has served the village for about 900 years.It's all really rather pleasant. I could see myself living in the Manor. The view over the graveyard wouldn't be a problem , at least it would be quiet!

Muddy Boots again

No sooner have I valiantly cleared my boots of the worst of the thick mud, another muddy field appears. This will take us back to our starting point passing Polehanger Farm as we do so. The sun has actually made an appearance right at the end of the walk. I can't get the photo I wanted as it is directly into the sun. I take one of a marker post with the 'John Bunyan' sign on it. The first one I have taken today, it doesn't feel complete without one. 

That's about if for today then.A good walk, probably even better in the Summer when drier underfoot. In total 9.17 miles walked.

The John Bunyan Trail (3) Hexton to Shillington

It's one of those 'shall we, shan't we sort of days. The weather has been poor all week and has worsened with the arrival of Storm Darragh'. A Red Weather warning has been issued with winds forecast for 90 mph and flooding rain. The South-West of England and Wales are the most likely to be worst affected. The decision is made we are going to risk it! I for one would be glad of some fresh air and exercise after being shut in all week. The walk itself is only around 7 miles and there are points where we can can cut is short if need be. The journey down the motorway is pretty grim as expected. However as soon as we reach the starting point in the village of Hexton things are becalmed. The rain has ceased and the wind seems to have dropped a little. No time to waste we set off from outside The Raven Pub in Hexton. Something tells me that we may well be paying a visit in a few hours time. 

Looking at the map it looks like being a bit uneventful in terms of places of interest. We will be close to a few y they will either be obscured or inaccessible. We leave Hexton in an anti-clockwise direction down a pleasant lane. Blighted only by the presence of a couple of dozen used tyres. I didn't take a photo because it is too depressing and annoys me greatly. The map says we are passing close to a Mill on Mill Lane , where else? No sign f any Mill though. Just the Sewage  works. It's going to be that sort of day.

We pass 'Shillington Manor' which is well hidden behind a mass of trees. A bit further on though near 'Pirton' Grange we do pass a fully functioning Moat. Deep and flowing to the brim , not one of the dried up versions that is usually the case. Mind you given all the recent rain it is hardly surprising the ditches are so waterlogged.  

All Saints Church Shillington

In the distance the Church at Shillington stands proudly on the hill. A Grade 1 listed building dating mainly from the late 14th century. Described as the ‘Cathedral of the Chilterns’ by John Betjeman, the Church building dominates the village and the surrounding landscape. Father Christmas has even called by to open the Christmas Fayre. Just enough time to pass on my wish list. A local adage is that 'all roads lead away from Shillington' — somewhat true as more efficient routes avoid the village altogether. The Church is a contender for the most easterly in the triangular 'chalk belt' which includes most of South East England and East Anglia. 

Christmas Donkeys

Shillington is as far as we are going today. We loop round and begin the walk back through Hillfoot End. We cross a footbridge which is always a nice thing.Even better this time because there was a Mistletoe bush growing in a tree right by it. I couldn't resist picking a sprig to take home. In the Norse culture, the Mistletoe plant was a sign of peace and love. No doubt where the tradition of kissing under the Mistletoe comes from. 

We make our way back across Hexton Common. This will connect us back to Mill from where we started. Hexton dates from Saxon times, but was redeveloped as a ‘model’ village in the 1920s. 

We call into The Raven for that pint I mentioned at the beggining.A shortish walk at just over 7.4 miles. Very lucky really to get a walk in given the forecast.