Route: Felbrigg Park and Metton
Area: North Norfolk
Date of walk: 2nd December 2023
Walkers: Andrew and Gilly
Distance: 6.0 miles
Ascent: 200 feet
Weather: Fog, bitterly cold
The Felbrigg Estate dates back to the 11th century, although the present manor was built in the 1620’s. Felbrigg Hall is surrounded by extensive parkland and is a good base for walk. Today’s walk would take us out of the estate to the small settlement of Metton
We parked in the National Trust car park at Felbrigg Hall (free to members) and followed a track to the nearby church of St Margaret, rebuilt by the Felbriggs in the 15th century. There was a village here once, but the church now stands isolated. We walked through the churchyard and left via a gate in the north east corner. We then headed south through the countryside to reach St Andrew’s Church, which is unusual as the tower is semi-detached from the main building and joined to it by an archway
We continued south and just before reaching Emery’s Lane we turned back through Glen Farm to start the return leg. This was mostly through fields and along quiet lanes. Eventually we re-entered the Felbrigg Estate and followed a path around Felbrigg Pond. We then walked past Felbrigg Hall to the end of the walk
I’m afraid that the photos which follow don’t show the surroundings well. We’d hoped that the fog would lift but it persisted for the whole walk and the views of the rolling countryside were completely shrouded.
Click on the icon below for the route map (subscribers to OS Maps can view detailed maps of the route, visualise it in aerial 3D, and download the GPX file. Non-subscribers will see a base map)
Scroll down – or click on any photo to enlarge it and you can then view as a slideshow
Signboard in the National Trust car park - a visit to Felbrigg Hall would be a good way to end the walk, but we didn't have time for that today
We pass through this gate into Felbrigg Park and follow a sign to St Margaret's Church
We enter the churchyard of St Margaret's Church, rebuilt by the Felbriggs in the 15th century
We walk through the churchyard and exit via a gate in the north east corner
We follow paths through fields, heading south towards Metton. There were no views of the countryside thanks to persistent fog
St Andrew's Church Metton
The tower stands semi-detached from the main building and has an arch running through it
We continue to head south through the fields
We follow a path through meadows near Glen Farm...
Having passed through its farmyard, we leave Glen Farm to set out along the return leg...
We follow the farm track
Frozen pond in Big Fen Plantation
After following a lane for a short distance we turn off to walk across the fields
We join another quiet lane
We re-enter Felbrigg Park and follow a path through the woods...
We pass by Felbrigg Pond
We cross a bridge over the pond at its narrowest point
The sun just manages to make a brief appearance
We leave the path and turn right just beyond this ancient oak tree
Felbrigg Hall comes into view
We pass by Felbrigg Hall to complete the circuit
