North of Castle Acre to Anmer Minque

We decided not to bother with the stretch of the Peddars Way that follows the road to the north of Castle Acre, so we parked at a lay-by I had found just to the north of the B1145, on the road leading to Great Massingham (TF797213)- we'd left the other car at the other end of the walk, on the B1153 at Anmer Minque (TF754293). We crossed straight over the B1145 and walked about a kilometre back towards Castle Acre before turning sharp right onto the Peddars Way at a trig point, at the point where the path parts company with the road. The guidebook describes this point as Shepherd's Bush. The Peddars Way in this section reveals its Roman origins clearly; it runs in a straight line, usually as a track with hedges on either side.

The countryside was gently undulating and pretty, with frequent crossings of minor roads (leading to Great Massingham and Little Massingham) to help us to keep our bearings. We passed Cockyhoop Cottage (very pretty) and Clarke's Farm (a traditional pig farm) then stopped for lunch, in the shade of a tree (it was a hot day!).

We passed a pipeline then crossed the A148 near the 'Dogotel' at Harpley Dams, then we climbed up onto Harpley Common, an attractive section of path with good views. On the common itself we saw several marl pits and Bronze Age tumuli.