Norfolk

West Runton circular walk

Explore the beautiful West Runton and Beeston Regis Heath on this circular walk near the North Norfolk coast. The trail features plenty of fascinating plants and wildlife to discover, and those who walk it will find great views of the sea and the surrounding countryside from the summits of Beacon and Stone hills. The route also passes the mysterious 'Roman Camp' earthworks.

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Total steps: 10

Start point

National Trust car park off Sandy Lane, grid ref: TG184414

Step 1

Walk directly behind the car park and head towards a viewing area (with seats).

Step 2

Now return to the car park and turn right along the gravelled path, looking out for another viewing area to the right (again with two seats). This area, at Beacon Hill, is known as Roman Camp.

Beacon Hill and Roman Camp

The 'Roman Camp' area is a series of earthworks on Beacon Hill, the name appearing in the late 19th century. One theory for the origins of the name is that it was invented by carriage drivers from Cromer to encourage people to hire them for trips. No actual evidence of Roman occupation has ever been found but in medieval times it is certain that iron ore was dug from the ground, accounting for the many pits which can be seen around.

Stone cairn beside earth remains of old Roman camp — The Roman Camp at West Runton, Norfolk | © National Trust Images/Justin Minns

Step 3

Return to the track, turn right, and continue along until you reach a crossroad in the path. You will see a cairn on your right. Turn right past the cairn and then shortly afterwards turn left onto another path, leading on to West Runton Heath.

Step 4

Continue along this path (in the direction shown by a red arrow on a post) until you reach an area known as Pine Heath. When you reach a T-junction beside a seat and a post marked with a 9 and 10, turn left and go downhill via the steep stepped path.

Step 5

At the bottom of the steps turn right to walk to Calves Well Lane. This is a 'green' lane and can be quite muddy in places. Now turn left here and continue on alongside Hillside Animal Sanctuary.

Step 6

Look out for the second signpost marking the Norfolk Coast Path junction. Turn left. You are now entering a wooded area called Beeston Regis Heath. Head up this path until you reach a marker post showing a 12 and turn right, keeping the post on your left. Continue on this path until reaching a branch in the path and take the left-hand fork, looking out for another post marked 13.

Step 7

Keep to the left and after a short way you'll come to another branch in the path. Take the right-hand fork. You are now approaching Stone Hill.

Step 8

Keeping to the left (avoiding another right-hand branch) walk up to the viewing area and the cairn. On a fine day sit on the seat here and enjoy the wonderful views across to Sheringham and the coast. Now very carefully, keeping to the right of the cairn, head down a very steep path until again reaching Calves Well Lane, for the homeward leg of the walk. Turn right, and (passing points 6 and 5 again), continue for approximately 1 mile (1.5km) along the lane. Look out for Calves Well Pond on the right, which can appear stagnant.

Stone Hill and the cairn

The cairn was put at the top of Stone Hill by the National Trust in 1971, so you are looking at a piece of National Trust history. Stone Hill was one of the earliest heaths to be cleared of scrub, but due to a thick layer of humus, no heather has appeared. Unfortunately this humus cannot be 'scraped' due to potential damage to archaeological remains of medieval ironworking and Second World War slit trenches.

Stone cairn beside wooden bench on hill overlooking village with sea beyond — Stone Hill, West Runton | © National Trust Images/Justin Minns

Step 9

Avoiding any paths to the right, keep on until you reach Heath Farm. Turn right here, following the signed path running alongside the Renwick Park housing estate, which will be on your left.

Step 10

Avoiding the first, second and third paths that will be found on the right, take the fourth path (signed MP1) which climbs quite steeply uphill, until reaching the car park and the end of your walk.

End point

National Trust car park off Sandy Lane, grid ref: TG184414

Trail map

West Runton circular walk map, Norfolk — West Runton circular walk, Norfolk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2012 Ordnance Survey

Roman Camp, West Runton, Norfolk, NR27 9ND

01263820550

westrunton@nationaltrust.org.uk

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West Runton circular walk

Total steps: 10