December 12, 2003

Charles and Joy Boldero walk down history’s byways and around an English village green with a hint of France.

This was a lovely walk with paths in good order and in contrast to last week’s walk this one is just four miles in length!

Points of interest

1 Thwaite Hall, a 19th century farmhouse, incorporates 16th century brickwork. Miles Hobart, grandfather of the Chief Justice, bought the manor in 1544 then it passed to the Kemp family and it was sold by them in 1690.

2 All Saints Church, Thwaite, has a round tower, this was damaged in a gale in the 19th century. The belfry openings were built when the tower was made higher, and the double openings are thought to be 13th century. Inside the nave is thought to be Saxon and the pulpit Jacobean 17th century. A Sunday School was added in 1893 by the descendants of Jacob Mountain, the first Bishop of Quebec, to mark his consecration. He was born in Thwaite Hall and baptised in this church. The screen has some fine medieval carpentry. Its top was sawn off at the time of the Reformation and only short stumps remain.

3 The Old Red Lion, Aldborough, had an interesting menu, Charles sampled Tindall Ale from the brewery at Seething and he was not disappointed with its taste. We had a warm welcome and extra ‘warmth’ came from the two fires that were lit in the bar. There is also a Tea-room for those wishing to enjoy a good cuppa! Just past the pub on the Green on the left stands an antique wine press, this was given to the village by the villiers of St. Denis, in France, to mark the twinning of the two villages in 1996. The village of Aldborough was once an important trading centre. King John granted a charter for a fair to be held here in June. Originally it was for the sale of horses, poultry, livestock and household goods, plus the hiring of farm workers. In the 19th century it became a pleasure fair, with a fairground on the Green. It is an attractive village with the houses of all shapes and sizes overlooking the Green. In the summer cricket marches are played there.

We parked close to the village sign by the Green in Aldborough which is situated on a minor road off the A140 five miles north of Aylsham.

With the village sign on the left we walked along the country lane. At the garage we turned left at a footpath sign along a track.

Reaching the old mill houses, the path went left then right to the corner with markers.

The path narrows and goes over a bridge and continues along the field edge.

At the country lane we went right.
We crossed the road and continued along the footpath opposite, walking across the field.

We went down the steps and crossed the next field, we went over the stile and turned left along the drive.

We turned right along the country lane, then left along another country lane.

At the bend we kept straight ahead and after about 25 paces we went left at a finger post sign across the field, then at the field edge with the hedge on our right.

At the end we went over the bank and through the churchyard.

At the country lane we turned left then right at the footpath sign ahead.

We went over the stile, (you can go through the gate) and crossed the sheep meadow.

We then stepped over the sheep hurdle and turned right then left with the hedge on the right, walking down the meadow.

We climbed the stile and turned right along the country lane, then soon at the fork kept left along Middle Hill.

Soon after passing the school we turned left along Chapel Road, then, keeping the Green on the right and The Old Red Lion Inn on the left, we arrive back at our parked car.

Map References O.S. Sheets Landranger 133, Explorer 25
184343, 183341, 187338, 187336, 190328, 191322, 197326, 192334, 192342, 188346, 186344, 184343.

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