Walking the Boudicca Way in south Norfolk. Photo: Bill Smith

By CHRIS HILL, Rural affairs correspondent
Thursday, April 11, 2013
2:00 PM

A long-distance footpath linking Norwich and Diss has been listed among the world’s “Top 30 Travel Secrets” by Lonely Planet Traveller magazine.

Boudicca Way: Trail highlights

The Boudicca Way runs for about 36 miles and can be walked in either direction between Diss and Norwich railway stations.

The trail is named after the legendary warrior queen of the Iceni, whose tribes once inhabited the area, and passes through the scenic countryside of the Waveney Valley.

Running roughly parallel to the old Pye Road, now known as the A140, the route follows public rights of way and quiet country roads, stopping off in picturesque villages such as Pulham Market, Saxlingham Nethergate and Shotesham.

Those interested in ancient architecture can explore the many Saxon and Norman round tower churches, but the Roman heritage of the area is the key theme which runs throughout the route.

The Roman town of Venta Icenorum – meaning market-place of the Iceni – is situated at Caistor St Edmund to the south of Norwich, close to where the Tas, Yare and Wensum rivers meet. It is generally thought that the town was established following the failure of a revolt by the Iceni tribe led by Queen Boudicca in AD 61.

And a section of the Boudicca Way at Tivetshall St Mary is the spur from the Roman military Pye Road that led to a Roman villa, which local researchers believe was the centre of a significant farmstead.

Earlier settlements are in evidence at the Tasburgh Hill Fort site. It is uncertain who built the fort but similar earth-walled buildings were erected in the Bronze Age, the Iron Age and by the Saxons.

For more information, see www.boudiccaway.co.uk..

Winding through evocative landscapes and recalling the ancient echoes of a warrior queen’s battles with Roman invaders, the Boudicca Way is a hidden gem of the East Anglian countryside.

But now one of Norfolk tourism’s best-kept secrets is out in the open – after the trail won global acclaim as one of the world’s “top 30 travel secrets” listed by Lonely Planet Traveller magazine.

The 36-mile footpath linking Norwich with Diss has been featured in the April edition of the publication, which rates its serene charms alongside the Waitakere Ranges in New Zealand, the San Bernando islands in Colombia and the Kiso Valley in Japan.

It is one of only two locations chosen in England.

This worldwide recognition crowns the remarkable rejuvenation of the trail, as a community project backed by voluntary groups and local businesses nears completion.

After securing a £50,000 grant in 2011, work has been carried out to improve the path, install new signposts, repair footbridges and raise the profile of the trail through a new brand and website.

And now – far from guarding the mystery of their little-known treasure – the pubs, shops and businesses along the route are embracing the added publicity which could bring a host of new customers walking, cycling and running to their doors.

Project leader Steve Falvey launched the improvement scheme after taking over The Old Bakery BB in Pulham Market, which he runs with his wife Meryl.

“The Boudicca Way runs right past our front door and we realised that few people knew about the route and it wasn’t properly sign posted, mapped or looked after,” he said. “I was born and bred in the area and I like to think of myself as an ‘outdoorsy’ person, but even I had never heard of it until we bought the place.

“I thought it was a bit sad that nobody knew about the trail but I could see the business opportunity from walkers so I started looking for a way to care for it a bit better.

“This recognition from Lonely Planet is fantastic, especially coming after two or three years of such good work to get so many people on board. All the businesses have got behind it.”

Mr Falvey said he didn’t believe that revealing the Boudicca Way’s “hidden” charms would spoil its appeal.

“I suppose it is a double-edged sword, but that is what it is all about,” he said. “We want local people to know about the route and use it, and spend their money along the way, whether its stopping for a sandwich or a pint. An increase in tourism will bring an enormous positive benefit to local shops, restaurants, pubs and accommodation providers.”

Another businessman who has already seen a boost in his income since the path improvement project is Gary Baldry, landlord at the Countryman pub, half-way along the route at Tasburgh. He said: “We’ve been involved right from the start. It’s done very well for Tasburgh and very well for Norfolk. I get groups of nine or ten people coming in, as well as the individual walkers. People phone up to ask if they can park their cars here and have a meal when they’re finished.

“Personally, I think more could be made of it. If it was not for Steve and people like that nothing would have happened. If you look around at what we have here… it is beautiful, and so many people don’t realise how nice it is.”

Sarah Norman, who runs the Barn Lodge BB nearby in Tasburgh, said: “When we bought our house here there was a legend that Boudicca had parked her chariot outside on her way to fight the Romans at Colchester.

“I would say about 75pc of my bookings since the start of the financial year have been for the Boudicca Way. It is a significant and very nice proportion of my livelihood, because walkers are such nice people. I am always delighted to have Boudicca people here, and I would be more than happy to see more of them, and to send them over to Gary’s pub for dinner.”

The Boudicca Way project is funded until October through a grant from the Waveney Local Action Group (LAG), paid for by the Rural Development Programme for England.

Ben Potterton, chairman of the Waveney Valley Tourism Forum, said: “The interesting thing about the Boudicca Way is that it goes through villages that other trails do not. We know that Norfolk and South Norfolk have well-known attractions, but the Boudicca Way is promoting a completely different range of churches, pubs and providers along this route that have been missed. “Norfolk has a lot of potential for tourism and we need to be looking at pushing these attractions, rather than just looking at the north Norfolk coast or the Broads.

“As we know, in the past, people used to describe South Norfolk as somewhere they would drive through on their way to Norwich. But I would rather they stayed in these wonderful pubs and BBs first, and then had a nice few days in the city.

“All the businesses are working together and we are not getting vast amounts of money from Europe or the county council. We are doing it ourselves, and that is a very positive way of doing it because we can look at our own strengths and find the right way forward.”

Sally Porter, regional operations manager for the Churches Conservation Trust, is looking forward to seeing more visitors as part of the Boudicca Way experience.

She said: “Two churches in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust are located along the footpath – namely Shimpling, St George and Frenze, St Andrew – and we are looking forward to welcoming an increase in visitors who will not only have a place to rest and shelter from the elements, but will also have the opportunity to appreciate the wonderfully tranquil surroundings.

“As a charity with limited funds, additional visitors who are kind enough to leave a donation will also help us maintain the churches for the future.”

Zoë Denham and Mark Ford run the Big Skies Food Company, based in Diss.

They said: “We are so pleased that this wonderful route has been recognised by the Lonely Planet magazine for its beauty and history.

“We have seen the great efforts that have helped highlight this wonderful route to both locals and tourists bringing both ‘good living’ and green tourism to our area. We use it regularly to entertain our mastiff – who is named ‘Boudicca’ in honour of the great Iceni queen – and can testify to the great secret that south Norfolk can now proudly reveal.”

Rachael and Jeremy Parke run Relish Restaurant and Bar in Newton Flotman. They said: “Norfolk is full of hidden gems but the Boudicca Way is one of our favourites and we’re lucky to have it on our doorstep.

“As the route take you on a wonderful tour of South Norfolk it gives you the opportunity to seek out sights you certainly cannot see whilst in the car.”

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