Magazine Wood is a perfect home base for walkers looking to explore the best of Norfolk’s coast, country, and forest. We are lucky enough to be located right on the historic Peddars Way and an easy walk from where it meets the Norfolk Coast Path. You can literally step out of our front gate and decide your own adventure—whether you want a breezy coastal hike or a quiet wander through the woods, the choice is yours.
There is also a wonderful sense of history here, as the Peddars Way was originally a Roman road used to march legions during the time of Boudicca. Today, the pace is much more relaxing! A quick turn from our entrance can lead you either toward the breathtaking views of the shore or through the peaceful, leafy glades of the Houghton Hall estate. If you’re looking for a local gem, the stunning Ringstead Downs and Courtyard Farm offer miles of lovely circular paths through the rolling countryside. For a bit of royal scenery, the sprawling country park at Sandringham is nearby and free for everyone to enjoy.
No matter which direction you wander, you’re never far from a friendly local pub where you can rest your legs and grab a delicious lunch. Wherever you wander you’ll find that Magazine Wood is the ultimate spot to kick off your boots and relax after a day of exploring.
The Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path Peddars Way and the Norfolk coastal path runs for 93 miles along a distinctive Roman road from Knettishall Heath Country Park to just beyond Magazine Wood at Holme-next-Sea (where our sister hotel Anna's House is) and then the path crosses wide sandy beaches to Cromer B&B pier. The national trail combines two contrasting paths, each of which is a superb walk in its own right. The trail follows the line of a Roman road, built during Rome’s battle against the rebellious Iceni tribe led by the legendary Queen Boadicea. It is an enjoyable mix of country lanes, footpaths and tracks through a varied landscape of open heath and meres, woodland, rich farmland divided by flower-filled hedgerows and pretty flint and carrstone villages.
The Norfolk Coast Path runs from the Victorian resort of Hunstanton to the busy port of Cromer, the hub of Norfolk’s crab fishing industry, along a coastline that is famous for its remoteness and wild beauty. It is a wonderfully diverse landscape of sweeping sandy beaches, grass tufted dunes, saltings, reed beds, creeks, tidal inlets and unspoilt villages such as Thornham, Brancaster Burnham Overy Staithe and Holkham. The spectacular seal colonies at Blakeney Point and the prolific birdlife along the coast add to the charm of this scenic National Trail.
The award-winning Coastliner and Coasthopper services now operate as a coordinated two-bus system, perfectly shadowing the Norfolk Coast Path. The route is split at Wells-next-the-Sea: Lynx operates the Coastliner 36 (Hunstanton to Wells), while Sanders Coaches runs the Coasthopper CH1 (Wells to Cromer). For most of the summer season in 2026, buses run every 30 minutes, making it even easier to time your return than the previous hourly schedule.
The "park, walk, and bus back" strategy remains the best way to explore the trail. You can purchase a single "Coast" ticket—available on both operators' apps or from the driver—which allows for seamless transfers between the two services. Simply leave your car at your starting point, hike a section of the path to a seaside lunch, and catch the next bus back to your vehicle.
If you are looking for really detailed resource on the Peddars Way Trailblazer Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path Alexander Stewartand Norfolk Coast Path then the most popular guide is the Trailblazer publication by Alexander Stewart which is available via Amazon and suitably sized to use along the trail. The cover shot is Bircham windmill which is just a few miles down the trail from Magazine Wood.
“Stands head, shoulders, waist and ankles above the rest… particularly strong on mapping.”
The Sunday Times
Peddars Way Sedgeford Norfolk PE36 5LW
Can't Find any availability at Magazine Wood?
Just head over to our sister hotel, Anna's House at Thornham down by the coast.
The best day I have spent walking ever- I got engaged!