2015-01-05 Carlton North Cove Barnby 9.2

Waveney Ramblers led this walk.

Book parking at the Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve car park.

With a 10:30 am start, it will be lunch time when you reach the Swan PH, pre-booking recommended.

Head west out of the car park. Head NW along Burnt Hill Lane all the way to the river. When the gravel lane splits in two, head up the raised dyke, NW, roads each side. Continue NW to the river on the raised dyke. At the river, turn left, initially south. Follow the meandering riverside path, river right, for over 2.5 miles.

Pass a pumping station with two outfall pipes, a brick and timber barn with a tin roof and an Australian outback style derelict windpump. The path heads south, then right, west, at quite a sharp bend. Ignore the path that branches off here. Continue west on the riverside path. Pass another barn clad in what might be asbestos. Pass a diamond sign warning of a submerged power cable. Pass a mooring quay. Turn left, south, down the bank and along the track where fishermen park their cars.

Cross the railway and continue south on tarmac. At a Y-junction turn left, east, to Barnby along Wadehall Lane. Ignore a footpath left with car parking for a nature reserve, well worth a visit. Ignore a footpath and lane right. Bear left, on tarmac, passing Wade Hall, moat right, railway left. Head east along Sidings Road which soon bends right, south. At The Green, bear left, SE, merging with Swan Lane missing the pub. To visit The Swan, bear right instead. After the pub go left east along Swan Lane.

Cross the A146 Beccles Road and head SE along the track to the church. Bear left, SE, round the back of the church. Follow the footpath, SE, cemetery right. Cross a sleeper bridge and head SE, woodland right. Cross a sleeper bridge and head SE, hedge right. Cross a sleeper bridge and at tarmac, turn left, NE, along Mutford Wood. The road bends right, east. Ignore footpaths right and left. At a sharp left bend, leave the tarmac and head east into the field. Go through the barrier and turn right, south, hedge and wide field margin right. Turn left, roughly east, trees right, solar panels right. Cross an open field, under power lines. Aim NW for the opposite hedge gap. Cross an intersecting path and head NE across a second open field. Pass woodland, hedge left. Skirt the perimeter fence of the Transport Museum. Head past houses right, then NE along Hedley Lane.

Turn left, north, along Chapel Road. At the roundabout, keep left, north, along the dead end for cars. At the A146, Beccles Road, to the left, the Carlton Crown is in view. Divert left for refreshments or cross and go north along Marsh Lane. The road kinks left and right. At a large barn, turn right, east. After a few paces, turn left, north, across the golf course. Pass a pond, left. Head north towards tall poplars. Head through the trees, then left, NW, at the bridleway signpost. Cross NW over a reedy watercourse and under power lines. Turn right, NE, along Sprats Water Lane. This soon bends left, north then NW.

Cross the railway and continue NW. The track bends right, north. Cross a watercourse and bend right, NE. Ignore paths to the left and right. Pass the Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve sign. Head NE through two kissing gates. After the second, branch right, east, ditch right. The path bends right, SE, and soon left, NE, mature oaks right. Cross Burnt Hill Lane and re-enter the car park.