2015-12-02 Dunburgh and Boathouse Hills

Waveney Ramblers led this walk from the large car park near Beccles quay.

Head south, then west alongside the cut, where boats are moored. Cross the footbridge and turn right along Fen Lane which bends left to the main road. There is a useful cafe at Beccles Quay.

At the main road, turn right and cross the bridge over the river Waveney. Once over the river, stop, and watching for traffic, carefully cross the road and take the narrow footpath entrance at the side of the bridge parapet. This is the Norfolk bank of the river.

Follow river and footpath signs for about one-and-a-half miles. The path briefly moves away from the river bank and you enter the trees at Dunburgh where there is a footpath T-junction. Turn right uphill, away from the river, through a small barrier onto Dunburgh Road. Turn right and follow the road, east. After two left, right wiggles, turn left and head north. Your landmark is Manor House Farm on the right. Head north to the left of the hedge. Many walkers use the parallel path to the right. This also works. The left track north enters a Held, between two high hedges. Look for a footbridge and turn right across it to head east towards some houses in the distance. The path joins The Street at Gillingham. Continue east, straight ahead to the junction with Loddon Road and Gillingham Dam.

Short walk: Turn right and follow the roadside footpath along Gillingham Dam towards Beccles, past the Swan pub and motel (refreshments).

Long walk: Cross the Loddon Road with care and walk to the right of the bus shelter where you enter a signed track heading east. Keep the house "Crossways" to your right. This leads to the much busier bypass (A146). Pass through the gate and cross the A146 with extra care. On the far side, go through another gate onto a grassy track heading roughly east.

Follow this track, ignoring field entrances. The path bends left before a large stand of poplars which will eventually be to your right. Go north, uphill. The views open out and the hedge is now on the left. A barn disguised as a chapel will visible in the distance to your right. At the top of the rise, the path joins a larger farm track at a T-junction. Turn right and head east until you arrive at some farm buildings. Ignore the first two right turns onto concrete access roads. At the third right turning, the gate has signs for Gillinghan and Hill Farms and the Dog Hotel. This is the one to use. Head south through the stables and outbuildings.

The road through the farm and gardens bends left and right again. There are occasional finger posts marking the way. Head through a fancy entrance that looks private and go downhill towards Boathouse Cottage and the river. The road ends at a gate but there is a hidden stile to the right, falling into disrepair at the time of writing. Follow the path beside the perimeter fence of Boathouse Cottage. At the bottom there is a metal gate onto the river path and moorings. Turn right and head south along the river bank towards Beccles, eventually crossing under the bypass on the riverside path.

At Hipperson's boatyard, the path bends right. Follow the perimeter of the boatyard where the path soon bends left towards Gillingham Dam. There is a left/right kink in the path before it emerges on the main road, re-joining the shorter version of this walk at a metal stile. Turn left along Gillingham Dam towards Beccles. Cross the river and turn left into Fen Lane. Head back to the car park via the Cafe if you need refreshments.