Norman Church Trails – New Buckenham Castle to Wymondham Abbey

Cycle route only – Approximate Distance: 5.5 miles

From New Buckenham Castle, cycle across Common to Upgate Street. At first crossroads, turn right to Carleton Rode, through Flaxlands on to the church.

From church go up Chapel Road to the T junction. Turn left along Bunwell Street and out of village to crossroads. Turn right down Wymondham Road to Wattlefield, Silfield and on to Wymondham Abbey.

The remains of the Norman Castle lie in New Buckenham, a village where the streets are laid out in a Norman grid. The key to the castle is available from the Castle Hill Garage for a small admission charge. Further information about the village can be obtained from The Norfolk Historic Buildings Group.

The route goes via Carleton Rode to Wymondham Abbey. Carleton Rode Church is not itself Norman but has an interesting Lepers Window on the south side of the church, which may well show the church was used by lepers and other visitors crossing the common to continue on pilgrimage via Wymondham to Walsingham.

Wymondham Abbey is a wonderful example of where town and monks fell out! It is also a marvellous remnant of a larger Norman foundation.