This pleasant country walk follows part of the old railway track, Marriott's Way, which abounds with wildlife. It then goes over field paths and through some lovely deciduous woodland.

TAVERHAM

Start: Hinks Meadow Hall Car Park, Kingswood Avenue, off A1067 in Taverham

Map: Explorer 238 G/R TM160150

Distance: .5 25 miles.

Public Transport: The car park is on a bus route

Timetables: 0871 2002233, www.travelineeastanglia.co.uk

This pleasant country walk follows part of the old railway track, Marriott's Way, which abounds with wildlife. It then goes over field paths and through some lovely deciduous woodland. It skirts an old landfill site, which is now beginning to naturalise with grasses and bushes.

Refreshments are available at Hinks Meadow Hall on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, also at nearby Taverham Garden Centre daily.

? From the car park, turn left along Kingswood Avenue. Cross Hinks Close and then turn left into Broom Close. Go through the wooden barriers at the bottom of the close and on through a narrow line of trees, and then turn right on a permissive path along the field edge. Go left at the field corner. Then, just before reaching Breck Farm ahead, go right through the hedge gap into Breck Farm Lane.

? Turn left and follow this narrow lane through the buildings of Breck Farm and on along to a railway bridge. On the far side of the bridge, go down the steps on the right. Turn right and go under the bridge and along Marriott's Way for a long half mile to Freeland Corner.

? Cross the road (Fir Covert Road) and keep ahead along Marriott's Way (signed to Reepham) for about a mile and a half. Cross a metalled drive, ignore paths on the right, pass under a bridge and go past a walled garden on the left before reaching a crossing path with steps down either side. Go left down the steps and continue on the path with trees and a hedge on the left. Turn left at a junction of paths and keep between the fence on the left and a copse on the right. Cross a road (Felthorpe Road) to a signed path. There is rough grass, and small trees have been planted here, but this is a bridleway. Then continue straight across the field uphill on a good path, making for the right edge of the wood. Then continue ahead on a track with a fence and the wood on the left.

? On reaching the high fence around an old landfill site, turn right and following the path for a short distance. Then turn left on the diverted path around the edge of the landfill site, still with the fence on the left and now with woodland on the right. The landfill site has been grassed over and is beginning to naturalise.

? After a while go straight over a gravel track, still keeping the fence on the left. Eventually, as the fence turns away to the left, keep to the clear path that continues ahead into the wood. The path goes downhill, winding through attractive deciduous woods. On reaching a T-junction with a metalled track bear rightwards. The track then runs beside Deighton Hills: (keep to the path, as there is a rifle range over to the left). Keep ahead along the track, ignoring a crossing drive to a house, and follow it to the main road (A1067).

? Turn left and, keeping closely to the verge of this busy road; follow it to a staggered crossroad. For refreshment at Taverham Garden Centre, turn left here. Otherwise keep ahead over the end of Fir Covert Road and then turn left into Kingswood Avenue back to the start.

JOIN THE RAMBLERS

The Ramblers is Britain's walking charity which has been working to encourage more people to take up walking and to safeguard footpaths and the countryside for 75 years.

Whether you're an old hand or a complete beginner, the organisation can help you get the best out of walking through its network of local groups.

The Norwich Group has been established for more than 35 years and was the first group in the Norfolk Area of the Ramblers Association. Non-members are welcome to join all walks in national festivals and some special events and programmes. Most regular walks are intended for Ramblers members, but you are welcome to attend two or three walks on a try-out basis.

? For more information about the Ramblers' Association call 01508 538654 or visit: www.ramblers.org.uk