This walk starts in the pleasant village of Banningham. The large 14th century St Botolph's Church has a wonderful hammer beam roof with unusual angels, and there are also wall paintings, and some of the medieval glass still survives.

BANNINGHAM

Start: Banningham Church

Map: Explorer 238 or 252 G/R TG 217295

Distance: 5 miles (or 3.5 miles)

Public Transport: There is a limited service between North Walsham and Aylsham that stops at Banningham (Sanders Coaches 18).

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

This walk starts in the pleasant village of Banningham where the houses surround the village green. The large 14th century St Botolph's Church has a wonderful hammer beam roof with unusual angels, and there are also wall paintings, and some of the medieval glass still survives.

The walk is along good tracks and mostly good paths. Part of the route uses a section of the Weavers' Way long distance path on the old railway line, part of the Midland and Great Yarmouth Railway, which ran between Yarmouth and Kings Lynn, but it was axed by the Beeching cuts in 1959. There is a shorter 3.5 miles option.

For refreshments, try the Banningham Crown pub.

t With the church on the right and the Crown public house on the left, go south along the lane. Continue past the gates of the Old Rectory and then, at the Jubilee Hall, follow the lane to the left. Then, immediately after the hall, turn left onto a signed footpath just at the corner of the overflow car park. After crossing the field, continue on a grassy path. Then go through a gap in a hedge to another field and eventually go into an enclosed path. Continue ahead past a way-marker with a hedge on the right. On reaching farm buildings, go right and then left at a way-marker on a power pole in front of a converted barn at Pond Farm, and go along the drive, bending right, to reach the road (B1145).

t Go left along the road for about 200m. Then turn right into a path across a field at a broken finger post where the marker was also missing. Make for the left-hand side of the white cottage and continue along the track beside the cottage. On reaching a metalled track (Mill Road) turn right and follow it to the road (B1145) again. Turn left and continue carefully to just past Laurel Farm on the right, then turn left across a narrow dirt bridge with four wooden posts across a ditch into a field (unsigned).

t Go right along the edge of the field for a few paces and then fork leftwards across the field to a finger post at a lane (Banningham Road). The path was not reinstated but the finger post can be clearly seen. Turn left along the road and go past the drive to Pinetree Farm and on past Bridge House. Then, opposite Langdale and just before reaching the bridge, fork right into a narrow path and follow it to a crossing track (Weavers' Way). Turn right along the former railway line and follow it for just under half a mile to a gate and out to a crossing track (Green Lane). Turn right.

t For the shorter walk: Continue ahead along the track to the road (B1145) opposite Church Farm. Turn right and go along the winding road to a junction with the village sign. Then turn left along the lane back to the village and turn right to the church.

t For the longer walk: After going along the track (Green Lane) for just a few metres, turn left at the Weavers' Way marker and follow this track to the main road (A140). Carefully cross into a track opposite. On reaching a crossing track, cross to the track opposite and after a few metres turn right into an enclosed path with a broken fingerpost in the hedge. Follow the path, eventually bending right. Just before reaching the main road, go left into a path running parallel to the road with a wooden fence on the right and the field hedge on the left. This path was rather over grown at the time of walking but, if necessary, it is possible to walk along the grass verge.

t At the end of the path carefully turn right to re-cross the main road (A140) and take the signed footpath going diagonally right. Follow it to the road (B1145) at Church Farm and turn left. Follow the winding road carefully round the bends to a junction with the village sign. Then turn left along the lane back to the village and turn right to the church.

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.

t For more information about the Ramblers' Association call 01508 538654 or visit: www.ramblers.org.uk