(Last visited July 2020)
We had a cracking little walk here in summer 2020 – it’s a beautiful mix of undulating woodland paths with a riverside stretch, with a grassy common tucked in the middle! We could have sat by the river all day. Yet to visit in the winter months to see how it affects the paths, and one of the river trails was a bit overgrown in the summer, but we loved the mix of terrain and will definitely be going back here.
🌿Length of walk: 1.5 miles (can be made shorter)
🌿Accessibility: Tricky – it’s a mix. A large barrier about 1m high at entrance which a pushchair would have to get under. Woodland paths and common path largely accessible for pushchairs (some steps), but riverside walk too narrow (and nettle-y!) for pushchairs. I’d err on side of caution and go baby carrier. Great for my 5-year-old but in the woodland area, a few quite steep-ish banks where the old gravel pit is, so watch smaller children
🌿Surfaces: Natural woodland paths (not too rooty), undulating. Some small stepped sections
🌿Café: No – closest Foundry Plant Centre & Coffee Shop – NR15 1NS, 1.3 miles away, Tasburgh (café currently closed due to COVID-19)
🌿Toilets/baby change: No
🌿Seating: No
🌿Picnic area: No benches but grassland area in the middle
🌿Opening times: Never closes
🌿Entrance fee: None
🌿Parking: Small car park – free. NR15 1TU (what3words ///gloves.mysteries.handbook)
🌿Dog friendly: Yes – saw some off lead. Didn’t see much dog mess.
🌿Other features: Some great tree stumps. Loads of different species. Not far from A140 but traffic noise minimal.
🌿Website: https://www.norfolkwildlifetrust.org.uk/wildlife-in-norfolk/commons/smockmill-common
