Aylhov one

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 80.00% of reviewers

The official Slow Ways route starts slightly earlier and ends slightly further but we didn't see the point in the additional half of mile as it's just going through the town. The Bure Valley Railway station is an ideal starting location which has ample parking (or did on a cold & drizzly November morning) and a cafe that serves hot and cold food & drink. It also has a toilet... which is the last indoor toilet you'll see for 3 hours.

The route itself is literally along the Bure Valley Railway (think kid size trains) and is completely off-road - some of it is single file with the remainder being double. The route is fine for a walk although I wouldn't run it as it's littered with tree roots and holes - there were no obstacles causing any diversions when we went. During the walk we saw a single cyclist and a few dog walkers, although as you're able to join the route at various stages, I suspect they didn't cycle / walk the full 9 miles (18 if returning!) - unfortunately the train wasn't running on the day we walked and so we had to plan who drove to Wroxham / Alysham and who would drive each other back - none of us fancied the return 9 miles.

Once you get to Wroxham station, you can walk into town (not far) and get some food and drink at one of the nice cafe's, a pub or the golden arches - we chose the former and had a much deserved hot chocolate and sausage roll.

This section is the Bure Valley Walk between Hoveton and Aylsham is consisting of a footpath/Cyclepath alongside the Bure Valley Railway. Therefor it is flat and takes advantage of the embankments and cuttings that facilitate the railway.
It is well maintained and sections of it are being resurfaced this year
The separation between the Bure valley Walk and the Marriot's way is some 100 metres leave the station at Aylsham and on the main road look to the left of the Tesco entrance and you will see the Marriots way.

A beautiful, scenic walk with the option of stopping in Coltishall on the way through. Unfortunately when we attempted the walk, there were a few sections shut for maintenance, some with no instructions of a way around. Thankfully Google Maps bailed us out, but we still had to walk on a couple of busy roads and through the odd field as there was no alternative route suggested on a couple of the blocked paths. Hopefully the work will be completed soon.

I can’t say I’d recommend this walk for push chairs or wheel chairs as whilst some parts had good wheel chair access (such as the Coltishall access stop), there were some potentially awkward obstacles to overcome (pictured).

Great walking route but it would be tough for pushchairs and wheelchairs. Uneven, gravel walkaways would make wheeling hard work. Pathways are narrow in places and some exits off the route are steps only.

Dedicated walking and cycling route that runs adjacent to Bure Valley light railway. Stations at each end and at locations on route. Lots of amenities in both Aylsham and Hoveton. Connection to national rail at Hoveton with links to Norwich and Coast. Wheelchair users may struggle on certain parts of the path but work is being carried out to improve access in some parts.

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