Brancaster to Titchwell

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Our view

"Discover reed beds, marsh and the site of a Roman fort."

Walk directions

Out of the car park, cross the lane and bear left behind the toilets along a raised dyke, initially paralleling the road. Later dropping from the bank beside an overgrown wartime bunker, the path winds out to a track. Turn left past cottages back to the lane.

The onward route lies to the right, but first go left and then right along the coast path. Signed to Brancaster Staithe, it runs at the edge of the coastal reed beds. After 0.5 mile (800m), a kissing gate on the right gives access to the site of the Branodunum Roman fort, which lies one field removed from the coast path.

Return along the coast path back to the lane and now go left, passing St Mary's Church before reaching the main road in Brancaster. For The Ship Hotel, turn left, otherwise, cross to the road opposite. Walk up past the village green and then branch off right along Chosely Road, a narrow lane squeezed between cottages. Signed as the coast path, it soon degrades to a track, climbing between high hedges. Keep with it as it swings right and then left, eventually reaching a junction at the top of the hill.

Go right along a green track. After some 0.25 mile (400m), leave through the second of adjacent openings in the right-hand hedge. Walk away down the broad field margin. As the path passes into a second field, a view opens to the coast and the slender spire of Titchwell church can be seen rising above the cottages.

Emerging at the bottom onto the main road, cross and go left to Titchwell. At a junction by the cross in the village, turn right to the church.

Retrace your steps back and now go left along a byway path signed to Brancaster. After passing through a strip of dense scrub, the path continues on a flood dyke above reed beds and then marsh, where snaking channels and pools attract water birds and waders. Beyond a breach in the dyke, which in time may be repaired, the raised path swings right and left.

At the next corner, if the way is clear, keep ahead, dropping across a causeway to continue towards the coast. At the dunes, swing right, either following the beach around the point below the Royal West Norfolk Golf Club and turning in to the car park, or following a path behind the dunes and on to the higher ground, passing between the clubhouse and a driving range. If the causeway is flooded keep right along the raised bank to the next junction and there, swing left towards the coast. Curve right before the clubhouse back to the car park.

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Location

Nearest postcode:

Additional information

Terrain - Footpaths, tracks and quiet lanes

Landscape - Saltmarsh and farmland

Dog friendliness - Under close control, preferably on lead

Parking - Coastal pay and display car park at Brancaster. Note that the golf course and car park can be cut off and even flood at high tide. Consult tide-tables or seek local advice before starting the walk. The National Trust ranger service is available at 01263 740241

Toilets en route - By car park

Walks in Norfolk Dog-friendly walks in Norfolk

About the walk

The walk begins beside the Royal West Norfolk Golf Club, which was founded in 1892 under the patronage of the then Prince of Wales, the future King Edward VII. Occupying a narrow strip of higher ground between the sea and salt marsh, it becomes an island at high tide and a couple of holes can... disappear under the rising water. It is also unusual as being one of the remaining 'Artisan' courses in the country, where local working people have playing rights, in this case because the course was built on common land. Brancaster Roman Fort Brancaster stands beside the site of Branodunum, a Roman fort, established on a shelf of higher ground behind the coast to oversee a trading port. Originally of wood, it was later rebuilt in stone during the 3rd century and garrisoned, first by a detachment of around 500 soldiers and later a cavalry unit. It was one of 11 forts eventually established around Britain's south east coast to provide defence against the gradual increase in Saxon raiding parties. In 2012 it was the subject of a 'Time Team' excavation, which revealed the existence of several previously unknown buildings that included barracks, granaries and a possible horse exercise area. Stone walls were still standing at the start of the 18th century but were taken for buildings in the village. Other than perimeter earthworks, there is now little visible above ground, but the site is impressive because of its size. It is a pleasant walk there and back to the fort across Brancaster Manor at the edge of extensive reed beds and marsh that stretch towards the sea. The beds have been managed for centuries to produce thatching reeds, and provide a valuable habitat for harvest mice and water shrews as well as birds such as bearded tits, reed and sedge warblers and herons. Among the plants are marsh pea and the rare milk parsley. At one time cut by hand during the winter months, the reeds are now harvested by a mechanical cutter, but they are still bundled and dried in the traditional fashion before finding their way onto the roofs of Norfolk cottages (and the odd church). Village churches The churches at both Brancaster and Titchwell are open. Inside St Mary's you'll see ancient alms chests, secured by three locks so that the Rector and both the churchwardens had to be present for them to be opened. There is also a carving of St Matthew, a relic of the hammerbeam roof that covered the nave until the 19th century. Titchwell is unusual for its round tower, topped by a slender spire. It retains a rood screen dividing the nave from the chancel but any painted figures on the panels have long since worn away. The squat tub font is Norman, but in the 18th century was relegated to a nearby field to serve as a drinking trough in favour of an ornate pedestal font that came from Burnham Deepdale. It was restored to its rightful position in 1890.

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Been on this walk?

Send us photos or a comment about this route. Or recommend a route of your own.

Find out more

Walking in Safety

Read our tips to look after yourself and the environment when following this walk.

Learn more

Get an AA guide

Explore our range of ‘50 Walks in’ guides - they’re the ideal companion for a ramble.

Learn more

About the area

The North Norfolk Coast is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and probably the finest of its kind in Europe. Here you’ll find a string of quaint villages and small towns – Holkham, Wells-next-the-Sea and Cley next the Sea are 21st-century favourites, while Sheringham and Cromer are classic examples of a good old-fashioned seaside resort where grand Victorian hotels look out to sea.