The Bigod Way 5.5 mile walk ( Official route ) Bungay, Suffolk & Norfolk, U.K.

Welcome to Hikeaholics, Chay and Nutty Nanny out walking today.

Today, we have a 5.5 mile circular walk along The Bigod Way. We start and finish on Ditchingham Dam (road), Ditchingham, Norfolk NR35 2JH.

( Official route )

From Ditchingham Dam we head into Bungay Town and see St. Mary’s Church and Bigod’s Castle, before we follow the river valley to Earsham. It’s then onwards to the ascent at Bath Hills which overlooks the valley, where we join The Angles Way. Only a 2 mile stroll back to the car on the descent, with the River Waveney always along our side.

For a more detailed ‘Turn by Turn’ route guide, please read on…………. Enjoy the walk!

We park on Ditchingham Dam because it’s free. But you can park at any of the chargeable ones in Bungay to complete this walk. We head away from the old Ditchingham Maltings (now new flats/houses) in a Southerly direction towards Bungay Town Centre. We leave Ditchingham Dam and encounter Bridge Street, where we cross over the bridge and the River Waveney. Continue up Bridge Street passing the Chequers Inn and some houses painted in bright colours. You can walk onto St Mary’s Street, but we take a detour left onto Trinity Street to take in St Mary’s Church and the old ruined Priory. As we leave the church grounds we head straight for and behind the bus shelter which leads to Bigod’s Castle. This was rebuilt in 1294 by Roger Bigod on the site of previous castles. Follow the path around Bigod’s Castle and enter a passageway signposted the Castle Inn, where you come out and turn left onto Earsham Street. We then head out of Bungay, over the 1st bridge (River Waveney) and at the 2nd bridge cross the road from right to left and follow the signposted track to the village of Earsham. Cross the footbridge and follow the track, here you encounter The Angles Way. Don’t turn left here but carry on to pass All Saints Church (Church Road). Keep following the Angles Way signs in between Lodge Cottage and Number 20. Pass the Village Hall and over The Street (road) passing the Queen’s Head pub on the left. Leaving The Angles Way, head to the top of Station Road where we cross the A143 onto Hall Road. After 200 metres turn right to follow Bath Hills Road, where we pick up The Angles Way again, passing the water filled Quarry on the right before reaching the main Quarry. We continue along the small lane towards Valley Farm and Cottage. Veer left as its private property straight on, following the hedges either side and into the woods. At the top of the hill turn right where you will see a wooden signpost stating 2 miles to Bungay on the Bigod Way. We follow the path through the woods and fields dropping down to cross a driveway to a gate back into the woods. At the split turn left and follow the path back to Ditchingham coming out on the Norwich Road. Cross over the Norwich Road and head right towards Ditchingham’s old Maltings crossing the A143. Pass the old maltings, now new flats and houses on the left hand side and you are back on Ditchingham Dam.

Hiking distance: 5.5 Miles
Hiking duration: 1 Hour and 50 Minutes
Hiking speed: 3.0 mph