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2104 Bacton beach 2 copyright Charlotte

Bacton: Walk like a pilgrim

Enjoy a peaceful walk along an old pilgrim route to find the ruins of Bromholm Priory. The route includes a wander on the beautiful sands of Bacton beach.

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The Paston family had close connections with Bromholm Priory, which was a major pilgrim destination in their day. Use our audio guide, narrated by Agnes Paston, to discover more about the Pastons' experience and enjoy a 3D reconstruction of the magnificent priory. Take part in the walking meditation to develop your heritage walk into a wellbeing trail.

Good for​

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Walk details

Length: 3.5m miles (5.6K). 

Download a walk map or follow the walk overview on your phone

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Terrain: mostly even with some gentle rises.

Park: at Bacton Local Authority car park (pay and display).

Facilities: cafe and toilets in Bacton.

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Bacton Walk
map and directions

Print out details of this walk overview. Click on arrow above for Word version. 
Click on button below for pdf.

Bacton Walk
Accessibility audit

Terrain descriptions and photos by Active Trails. Useful for those with restricted mobility, prams/buggies, wheelchair users, those needing facilities or reassurance about the route.

Bacton Walk 
GPX code

Download code for your fitness device/ health watch.

Bacton Walk
phone app

While you walk listen to the audio guide; access activities for children, see a 3D building reconstruction and discover more historical context.

Enjoy the drama! Walk with Agnes Paston as your tour guide and find out all about the family across the generations.

Co-authored by Holly Maples and Karen Smyth, reviewed by Rob Knee. Produced and performed by Holly Maples. 

Enhance your walk experience

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2104 Paston Footprints copyright Charlot

The digital storytelling chapter of Paston heritage. Virtually explore a 3D reconstruction of Bromholm Priory and hear the monks chanting. Learn how the layers of the centuries are reconstructed. Digital art produced by James Mindham.

Therapeutic Photopgraphy:
Can you use your focus, imagination and explore with different perspectives? Follow our tips co-produced with Big Fish Photography and

tag #pastonfootprints

Walking Meditation:
Use heritage for health, with our 'PASTON' meditation guide. Engage in creative and mindful connections, for peaceful or prayerful moments in Bacton landscape and Paston stories. Co-produced with Norfolk Wild Church.

Bacton walk overview 

From the car park, take the footpath onto the beach and walk along the beach front 

Walk along the beach or path for about half a mile. When you come to a bench looking out to sea walk up the sandy embankment and take the path across the green space behind the holiday camp.

2104 Bacton beach path copyright Charlot

At the end of the path turn left onto the coast road and then turn right up Abbey Street to the Priory Gate

You unfortunately can't go through the archway as it is private land. However, on the signpost to the left of the entrance, you will find a Paston Footprints QR code that allows you to see the 3D virtual reconstruction of the medieval priory.

 

Facing the ruined archway, turn left along a narrow byway at Priory Gate that runs along the field and the back of houses.  You'll be able to see further glimpses of the priory ruins through gaps in the hedgerow as you walk along the byway.

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Virtually explore a 3D reconstruction of Bronholm Priory

Imagine what life was like when the Pastons visited this impressive priory. If you have the sound up, you might even hear the monks chanting.

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At the end of the footpath pause for the best view of the ruins.

Walk down Priory Road and turn left onto the coast (Walcott) road.

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Walk down the coast road past the primary school on your left

Turn right at the junction signposted to Bacton.

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Take the first left up Church Road

Walk up past the quiet lanes - you'll see Bacton church in the distance. Walk up the lane until you reach the church and enter the churchyard.

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Bacton Church

 

Bacton church was important in medieval times for being close to the pilgrimage site of Bromholm Priory. Inside the church is a grand late medieval font with rich carvings which show you how significant (and wealthy) Bacton was in the time of the Pastons.

2104 Bacton church Charlotte Knee Photog
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Leave Bacton churchyard from the far exit and follow the Paston Way back towards the beach

You can either walk back through the village or via the beach to the car park.

2104 Bacton church copyright Charlotte K

Share your walk experience

We'd love to hear about the highlights of your walk. Tag your photos #pastonfootprints for a chance to win local prizes.

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Why not try another Paston heritage walk?

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Check Bacton tide times here: Bacton tide times (norfolk-tides.com)

Explore the Paston story further

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Watch an animation of Good Judge William Paston talk about life at Bromholm

Help us bring the Paston story to more people by taking one of our creative challenges

Want to go deeper into the story? Find out more about Bromholm Priory on our sister heritage portal site.

Things to do nearby

Bacton beach

Beach, cafe, ice cream.

Mundesley beach

Family friendly blue flag sandy beach lined with colourful beach huts and beach cafe overlooking the sea with wind breaks and deck chairs hire and ice cream.

Norfolk Coastal Path

The Norfolk Coastal Path runs for 84 miles and much of this walking trail runs through the damatic landscape of the Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Beauty. It can be joined at Bacton.

Happisburgh

Quiet sandy beach in an area known for dramatic cliff erosion. Visit also for views of the iconic red and white lighthouse.

What's your review?

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Will you go / or have you been on any of the other Paston walks?

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