what is the weavers' way?

The Weavers’ way is a 61 mile long distance path from Great Yarmouth to Cromer. In this race you will run the last 50 miles or 50 km of the path to Cromer.

The path is named after the Flemish weavers who used this trail to go from farm to farm collecting wool during the medieval period. This accounts for the rather zig zag nature of the path.

The big yarn making centres of East Anglia were at Aylsham, North Walsham and Worstead. Ayslham linen was once famous across the UK and was made from the wool of local black sheep. You will pass through Aylsham and North Walsham during the race. 

WHAT TYPE OF TERRAIN ARE YOU LIKELY TO FACE?

The first half of the race starts at Acle recreation ground and goes out onto farmers fields almost straight away. The path is good for the first mile and a half and then after passing through Upton green the path heads back towards Acle bridge through some woods and a riverside path. This can be very slippery and muddy, especially if there has been rain before the race so for this reason we recommend trail shoes and please mind your footing. It is tempting to go fast at the start of the race but please take care here. The mud only goes on for about half a mile and then after that the footing is pretty good.

After crossing Acle bridge you will be running on riverside paths alongside the river Bure. This is mostly pretty good but you may encounter rabbit holes and occasionally hoof prints from horses so please just keep your eye on the trail.

After Potter Heigham you will cross the medieval bridge and run on another path that follows the river Thurne to Heigham sound, this is usually pretty good running but in wet weather can be slippery and the grass can be long in places. This doesn’t go on for too long as the path curves around to the left and you will then run up a slight rise to follow the woodland path next to Heigham sound and Hickling broad. This is a pretty part of the course and a bird watcher's paradise so keep your eyes peeled for herons, birds of prey and wildfowl.

The path exits onto quiet roads at Hickling and you will stay on quiet roads all the way to Stalham. After Stalham the path is a disused railway which is an excellent surface in all weathers. Then back onto some country roads to North Walsham. The trail goes off road again but on good surfaces to reach the A140 above Aylsham. This is a busy road and marshals will help you cross this (this is the main tourist route up to Cromer and the North Norfolk coast , it is busy but there will be gaps in the traffic so be sensible and listen to the marshals).

After Ayslham the route is superb. After a few farmers fields and the village of Silvergate you will enter Blickling Hall estate. The hall is stunning, the grounds beautiful and it is a real privilege to run through here. They have a parkrun here for you to come back and do on another day.

After Blickling you pass through Erpingham, Thwaite and Hanworth all delightful quiet villages and will eventually arrive at Aldborough. There will be a checkpoint here at The Cricketers on the Green pub. This is a fantastic pub on the edge of the village green which is the cricket pitch. A few years ago there was a pub on the other side of the green. Match teas would be in one pub on cricket days and after the game the teams would converge on the other pub. It is a typical old fashioned English village and a real treasure. Sadly only The Cricketers pub remains as the other pub closed fairly recently.

This marks the start of your last push to the finish. The trail leads from here to Felbrigg hall. If you are here in daylight you are doing well, if you are here in the dark you haven’t got far to go. 

You enter the grounds via an old woodland and then alongside the lake to then run across the front of the hall and out into the village of Felbrigg. After Felbrigg the running is easy and with a nice bit of downhill into Cromer for tea and medals..

When you reach Cromer you can stop running. You will have conquered the Weavers’ Way!