Marriott's Way: Reepham and Whitwell Circular
Norfolk
Marriott's Way follows two closed Victorian railway lines for 26 miles between Norwich and Aylsham, and this 8km circuit uses the middle section to link the Georgian market town of Reepham with its neighbour Whitwell, wide enough for much of the way that a dog can walk without needing a lead. From a car park in Reepham the route joins the old trackbed, passing under road bridges and through cuttings that have grown into a wooded corridor, a designated county wildlife site. At Whitwell and Reepham Station, a restored Victorian building now run as a cafe and museum, the walk turns back through farmland and small woods before returning through Reepham itself, past its two medieval churches and the timber framed buildings around the market place. The going is easy and mostly flat, on a firm gravel trackbed and quiet lanes.
This is a dog friendly walk on a wide, traffic free trackbed for most of its length, giving a dog plenty of room to walk and sniff without much need for a lead. Marriott's Way crosses farmland where livestock can be met in the fields either side, so keep dogs close where the path leaves the old railway. There is no water on this stretch beyond ditches, so carry some for a dog in summer. Both Whitwell and Reepham Stations have cafes, and dogs can travel a short stretch by train on the adjoining Bure Valley Railway for a small charge. Reepham's market place has dog friendly pubs and cafes, and the car park is free.
At a Glance
- Distance
- 8.0 km (5.0 miles)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Duration
- 2 hr 30 min
- Walk Type
- Woodland, Historic
- Route Type
- Circular
- Off Lead Potential
- High
- Livestock Risk
- Moderate
- Facilities
- Cafes at Whitwell and Reepham Stations; dog friendly pubs and cafes in Reepham market place; toilets at Whitwell Station.
- Parking
- Free car park, Market Place, Reepham.
Dog Friendly Stays Nearby
Make a weekend of it. These are the closest dog friendly places to stay to Marriott's Way: Reepham and Whitwell Circular, each one checked for its dog policy before we listed it.
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All dog friendly stays in NorfolkFrequently Asked Questions
Is Marriott's Way: Reepham and Whitwell Circular dog friendly?
This is a genuinely good walk for dogs, earning a 7/10 rating on Wildpack Collective. The wide, traffic-free old railway trackbed gives dogs plenty of room to roam, and at either end of the route you'll find cafes where dogs are welcome — at Whitwell and Reepham Stations and in Reepham's market place, which also has dog friendly pubs.
Can dogs be off lead at Marriott's Way: Reepham and Whitwell Circular?
For much of the walk, yes — the old railway trackbed is wide and traffic-free, giving dogs plenty of space to walk without a lead. The exception is when the route leaves the old railway and passes through farmland, where livestock may be in the fields nearby, so you'll want to keep your dog close on those sections.
What should I know before visiting Marriott's Way: Reepham and Whitwell Circular with my dog?
There's no dedicated water source along this stretch, so bring your own for your dog, especially on warmer days. The route also crosses farmland where livestock are present in places, so keep that in mind if your dog isn't completely reliable around animals. On the plus side, parking is free at the Market Place in Reepham, and dogs can even join you on a short stretch of the nearby Bure Valley Railway for a small charge.
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