I walked this, the 8th stage of my Grand Norfolk Hike, on Sunday 26th February 2012.

Brandon to Thetford route
Brandon to Thetford route (click for Google map)

I arrived at Brandon at about 9.30am on a beautiful sunny morning and within a few minutes was strolling alongside the Little Ouse river as it winds its way through the forest towards Thetford.

I love this walk.  I’ve done stretches and variations of it three or four times over the years and never fail to be bewitched by the beautiful, slow moving river, the forest, the birds and flowers.

The Little Ouse at Brandon
The Little Ouse at Brandon

After an hour of walking I reached the village of Santon Downham where I stopped for a cup of tea on a bench not far from the pretty 12th century church.

Santon Downham
Santon Downham
Santon Downham church
Santon Downham church

The sun was out and becoming warmer, a light fresh breeze moved through the trees and I found myself remembering how I felt on my earliest solo hikes when I’d cycle down to the North Downs at the age of 13.  A fine, carefree, joyous feeling of freedom and the simple happiness of being alive.

Refreshed, I left Santon Downham and continued following the Little Ouse.

The view from the site of an old Saxon church, St Helen's.
The Little Ouse from the site of an old Saxon church, St Helen’s.

As I walked I kept my eye open for potential wild camping bivy-bag spots, a few places caught my attention.

Wild camp?
Wild camp?

This location looks perfect, imagine waking up to this view.  Not far away were groups of snowdops.  It’s wonderful how one can find places of relative isolation so near to the hustle and bustle of town life.  I didn’t see another person on this stretch of the route.

Snowdrops
Snowdrops

I sat down a while for lunch.  The day had become very warm and I was able to lie back on the river bank, sunbathing in my t-shirt, early summer weather in February, incredible!

Little Ouse near Thetford
The Little Ouse midway between Brandon and Thetford

I had reached the midway point and after half an hour dozing on the river bank I decided to shoot a little video reportage before setting off on the last leg of the hike.

Two thoughts on these video clips:

  1. I should hold the camera horizontally, not vertically
  2. I don’t have to point the camera at my face when talking

With thoughts of a pint in Thetford I set off once more.

Little Ouse near Thetford
Little Ouse near Thetford

On reaching Thetford I decided against a pint and took the train home instead.  There’s something about Thetford that doesn’t feel that welcoming, maybe it’s just me.

This is one of the finest walks in the area, it really is lovely.

5 thoughts on “Brandon to Thetford

  1. These villages andf the River are places I have n’t visit Martin . Very beautful . A lovely walk , great pics. Know what you mean about Thetford,You were right to take the train . I think it has been carved up by the main roads , extended by inappropriate estates in the ’50’s and the lots of factories stuck on to the town . Londoners were dumped into E Anglia without real thought for town planning . Like Huntingdon the estates were given the ugly name of ” London overspill ” . Have had many meetings over 40 years at The Bell in the High Street but it is a bit corporate for the casual pint .
    Redeeming feature – Excellent GP training and UG teaching practice
    Bob

  2. Jo mentioned your blog on Saturday -what a great plan for 2012! Looking forward to the wild camping. Have you got a bivvy bag? Mark is trying to convince me that we should try bivvying…

  3. Hi Sarah, yes, I have a bivvy bag and am waiting for warmer weather before trying it out for the first time. Perhaps in April, we’ll have to see : )

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