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| Blofield |
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Charles and Joy Boldero’s walk this week is over four
miles in the Blofield area.
WE PARKED BY BLOFIELD CHURCH, which is situated
in the south of the village. Blofield is just south of the
A47 and six miles east of Norwich.
The paths were in good order on this four-mile walk. This
walk can be linked with the walk we did on July 14 this year
around Strumpshaw.
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We took the signed path through the churchyard,
climbed the stile and continued along the path as it eventually
came to the second stile, where we turned left along a track
and through a kissing gate.
At the end of Braydeston churchyard, we went right over the
stile and crossed the meadow diagonally to the next stile.
The cattle ignored us!
We went diagonally across the next field to the lone tree
on the bank. Then, crossing the bank, we continued across
the next field towards the left of the buildings, and, at
the country lane, went right, then, after about 150 yards,
left at the finger-post, using the path across the field.
This took us to the right hand side, where we climbed the
stile in the fence line. The path took us down to the railway
line which we crossed, climbed the stile and continued uphill
in the wood.
We crossed the fields with another church ahead and turned
left along the pavement to the Shoulder of Mutton pub. We
retraced our steps and went left through the churchyard, leaving
by the kissing gate, keeping left along the road, then right
along Barns Hill.
 At
the bend we went right at the finger-post, and followed the
tram lines round the field, turning right through a gap in
the cover crop.
We crossed the next field and turned right along the road,
then crossed the road junction of Low Road, keeping the houses
on left. We crossed the road at the top of the path and continued
north-west along the pavement.
Immediately after the post box we went right at the yellow
marker sign along a lane, going left along the narrow path
beside Meadow Vale house. We climbed the stile, went up the
steps, crossed the railway, went down the steps, crossed the
stile and continued along the path.
At the road, we went right to the bottom of the estate, turning
right at the sign along a narrow path. We followed this path
as it wound around eventually where Braydeston church could
be seen ahead. At the footpath sign we went left over the
stile, and followed the outward route back to the start at
Blofield.
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| Points of Interest
(see map) |
1 St Andrew’s, Blofield, has an
impressive high tower. The porch once had an upper room,
which was used, we understand, as a village school. Inside,
the lovely chancel arch is enormous. There is a marble monument
to Edward Paston on the north wall. In the 1600s he was
attached to the Court of Henry VIII.
2 St Michael’s, Braydeston, has an old font
with a coarsely-carved six-sided bowl. Behind it is a tiny
inscription brass to Henry Love, of Norwich, and below the
sanctuary steps there is a small inscription in Latin on
the remains of a brass to Osbert, son of John Reedham. He
was killed in 1469 by an arrow during a siege of Caister
Castle.
3 We once again visited the Shoulder of Mutton Inn
at Strumpshaw, and this time Charles enjoyed a pint of Priory
Mild. This pub is well known for its very good fish dishes,
with fresh fish obtained straight from Lowestoft.
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| St Peter’s Church, Strumpshaw. |
4 Thanks to the Rector, The Rev Vivien
Elphick, we were able to visit the church this time. St
Peter’s has a 15th century font which has alternating
shields and roses in the panels. The rood screen still has
a little colour in it, and has delicate tracery above the
ornamented arches. It is a large church, and obviously a
well loved and active one. No doubt this is the reason parishioners
have been able to raise so much money towards the new roof,
the final cost of which is £100, 000.
The key can be obtained from Betty Rose, who lives in the
bungalow immediately past the pub.
Some of the paths used on this walk, we understand, are
the favourites of the Rector, herself a keen walker.
Map Reference OS Landranger 134, Outdoor Leisure
40: 335092, 337087, 341083, 341081, 348078, 347073, 343072,
337077, 337079, 337087, 335092.
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