Editing Marriott's Way

{{short description|Disused railway, now bridleway, between Norwich and Aylsham}}
{{EngvarB|date=May 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2016}}
{{Infobox hiking trail
 |name=Marriott's Way
 |photo=Thorpe Marriott.JPG
 |photo_size=250px
 |caption= The way at [[Thorpe Marriott]] village green, near [[Taverham]]
 |location= [[Norfolk]], England
 |designation=
 |length_km=39.5
 |trailheads= [[Norwich]]<br>{{coord|52.6357|1.2873|type:landmark_region:GB-SAW|display=inline|name=Norwich (Norwich trailhead)}}<br>[[Aylsham]]<br>{{coord|52.7909|1.2541|type:landmark_region:GB-STS|display=inline|name=Aylsham (Aylsham trailhead)}}
 |use=Hiking, cycling, [[horse-riding]]
 |elev_change=
 |highest=
 |lowest=
 |difficulty=
 |season=All year
 |sights=
 |hazards=
}}
[[Image:Marriott'sWayinSummer.jpg|thumb|The way in summer close to [[Cawston, Norfolk|Cawston]]]]
The '''Marriott's Way''' is a [[footpath]], [[cycle-path]] and [[bridleway]] in north [[Norfolk]], England, between [[Norwich]] and [[Aylsham]] via [[Themelthorpe]]. It forms part of the [[National Cycle Network]] (NCN) (Route 1) and the red route of Norwich's Pedalways [[cycle path]] network.<ref>[https://archive.today/20150427102437/http://www.norwich.gov.uk/TransportAndStreets/Transport/Cycling/Pages/CycleCityAmbitionGrant2015.aspx Norwich pedalways] Retrieved 27 April 2015</ref> It is open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Its total length is 24.6 miles (39.5&nbsp;km). It has a mixture of surfaces: tarmac, compacted gravel and earth. The name of the route originates from the chief engineer and manager of the [[Midland and Great Northern Joint Railway]] (M&GNJR), [[William Marriott (engineer)|William Marriott]], who held the position for 41 years.<ref name=Mar>[http://www.peterboggis.co.uk/Marriotts_Way.htm Marriott's Way] Retrieved 21 November 2008</ref>

== Railway history ==

The path uses the trackbeds of two former railway lines: from [[Norwich City railway station|Norwich]] to [[Themelthorpe]] and from Themelthorpe to [[Aylsham South railway station|Aylsham]]. The Themelthorpe to Norwich line was built in 1882 by the [[Lynn and Fakenham Railway Company]], which was taken over by the M&GNJR in 1893 as part of a line that ran to [[Melton Constable railway station|Melton Constable]]; this line gave a through route to the [[English Midlands|Midlands]]. The Themelthorpe to Aylsham line was completed in 1893 by the [[Great Eastern Railway]] to provide a link to its other lines at [[Hoveton & Wroxham railway station|Wroxham]] and [[County School railway station|County School]], close to [[North Elmham]]. 
The lines were never profitable. Freight services were largely based on farm products and the line closed to passenger traffic in 1959.

In 1960, the two lines were joined by the [[Themelthorpe|''Themelthorpe Curve'']], believed to be the sharpest bend on the [[British Rail]] network. Its construction was to maintain the important movement of concrete products from [[Lenwade railway station]]; once production ceased in 1985, the line was closed.<ref name=Mar/>

== Route ==

At Norwich, the path begins to the north of the Barn Road and Barker Street [[A147 road|Inner Ring Road]] roundabout; much of this area was part of the former [[Norwich City railway station]]. The path, which is also known as the ''Railway Path'', follows approximately the course of the [[River Wensum]] which forms a boundary with the {{convert|12|acre|}} Train Wood.<ref>{{cite web|title=Friends of Trainwood & Marriott's Way|url=http://trainwood.co.uk/|website=Trainwood|accessdate=1 April 2018}}</ref> 

[[Image:Marriotts Way4.JPG|thumb|centre|The A Frame bridge]]
After crossing a footbridge, the industrial landscape gives way to the [[water-meadows]] of the [[Sweetbriar Road Meadows, Norwich|Sweetbriar Road Meadows]] before crossing the Wensum over the A frame bridge at [[Hellesdon]]. Travelling in a northerly direction from the junction of Marlpit Lane and Hellesdon Road, through the site of the former [[Hellesdon railway station]], the way soon crosses the tiny [[River Tud]] at [[Costessey]]. The tree-lined River Wensum can be seen to the east, as the path passes through the open country side of the Wensum Valley. The river is crossed by means of an A-frame bridge (there are only three in Norfolk), before arriving at [[Drayton, Norfolk|Drayton]].<ref>[http://www.peterboggis.co.uk/Cycle-ride3a.htm 'A Frame bridge'] Retrieved 21 November 2008</ref> The original [[Drayton railway station]] is now an industrial estate; the path follows a gravel path before crossing a minor road and entering a deep cutting to cross the busy [[A1067 road]], close to [[Taverham]]. To the west is [[Thorpe Marriott]], a large housing estate built in the late 20th century.

[[Image:Marriotts Way2.JPG|thumb|centre|Bridge at Mileplain plantation]]
The tranquil path passes through extensive mixed woodland of the Mileplain plantation to cross the Wensum below [[Attlebridge]]. To the east of the way, the circular Winch's Way<ref>[http://www.swannington-norfolk.co.uk/index-page3.html Winch's Way] Retrieved 27 April 2015</ref> can be accessed which links to the [[Swannington, Norfolk|Swannington]] and [[Alderford]] commons. After reaching a country lane, the privately-owned former [[Attlebridge railway station]] can be viewed; the way can be accessed close to a car park and picnic area. After passing through [[birch]] woods, the large industrial estate of [[Lenwade]] can be seen to the west of the way and water filled gravel pits to the east. 

[[Image:Marriotts Way1.JPG|thumb|centre|Sign at Lenwade]]
Crossing the Wensum for the last time, and close to the former [[Lenwade railway station]] which is now privately owned, and on to [[Whitwell railway station, Norfolk|Whitwell railway station]].
The (NCN) leaves Marriott's Way to follow a short cut along quiet lanes to [[Reepham, Norfolk|Reepham]]. The way carries on to Themelthorpe and follows the curve to the important stop of [[Reepham (Norfolk) railway station|Reepham railway station]], where the preserved station and engineering shed can be found. Following an easterly course, the path passes close by to the village of [[Cawston, Norfolk|Cawston]] on the [[B1145 road]] and then crosses the [[B1149 road]]. To the north, the way links to [[Blickling Hall]] via [[Weavers' Way]] before reaching the end of the trail at [[Aylsham]]; directly opposite is [[Aylsham railway station]] and [[Bure Valley Path]], a walking and cycling route.<ref>[https://you-well.co.uk/marriotts-way/ Marriott's Way information] Retrieved 31 January 2023</ref>

== Ecology ==
While the railway line was in use, trackside vegetation would have been partly controlled. The vegetation would have been cut regularly or sprayed with [[herbicides]], so that trains were not obstructed and to lessen the risk of fire. When the railway closed, such management ceased and a wide variety of plants colonised the track; this has made it the diverse habitat for wildlife that it is today.

'''Today'''

In the Wensum Valley, immediately above the [[flood plain]] between Hellesdon and Drayton, over 100 species of vegetation have been recorded including [[Crataegus monogyna|hawthorn]], [[guelder rose]], [[Rosa canina|wild rose]], [[blackthorn]], scrub [[oak]], [[gorse]] and [[broom (shrub)|broom]]. Many wild flowers can be found such as [[shepherd's purse]], [[ox-eye daisy]], [[white campion]] and [[Saxifraga granulata|meadow saxifrage]]. Closer to the river, the soil becomes heavier and wetter and vegetation includes [[alder]], [[Elderberry|elder]], [[marsh marigold]] and [[willow]].

To the north of Drayton, the way passes over a variety of soil types. On the chalky soils, typical plants found are the [[sycamore]], [[birch]] and chalk grassland species such as [[wild carrot]], [[self heal]], [[Bird's-foot trefoil|bird's-foot-trefoil]], [[knapweed]] and [[Verbascum|mullein]]. On the sandy soils [[bracken]], [[birch]] and [[gorse]] are the more dominant species. Also of note are [[lichen]]s, which are colonising many of the concrete structures and bridges along the track. The way is an important area for insects, birds and small mammals because of the variety of wild plants that are found.

== Public works of art ==
[[Image:Marriotts Way3.JPG|thumb|left|Wooden bench]]
[[Image:Lenwade7.JPG|thumb|Concrete sculpture at Lenwade inscribed with the words: "Figure in a landscape 7¾ miles from Reepham with disused railway and gravel pits contemplating the history of industry and their back turned on the old concrete works, which once produced beams for motorway bridges but now crushes cars"]]
Several concrete public works of art can be seen along the way, as a constant reminder of the line's connection with the concrete industry and of its last days as a freight line, carrying concrete products. Also on view are hand crafted benches and places to rest; many of these memorials are to cyclists and other way users.

The route is marked by steel benches, fabricated from flat-bottomed rail at intervals of 1 mile starting from the site of Norwich City station. Each bench is to a different design, often with the rail twisted or bent, but always with a flat length at sitting height.
[[File:Marriott's Way mile marker bench 1 mile.jpg|thumb|alt=Sculpture/bench|Steel zip sculpture/bench, located 1 mile north of the site of Norwich City station on Marriott's Way.]]

== Public access ==

Apart from the main trailheads at Norwich and Aylsham, the trail can be accessed at various points throughout its length.

== Marriott's Way gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:Marriotts Way.JPG|Concrete mile-post [http://www.peterboggis.co.uk/Cycle-ride3a.htm ]

Image:Marriotts Way6.JPG|[[Level crossing]] at Lenwade

</gallery>

==See also==
* [https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/out-and-about-in-norfolk/norfolk-trails Official Norfolk Trails website]
* [[Recreational walks in Norfolk]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://www.norfolk.gov.uk/out-and-about-in-norfolk/norfolk-trails/long-distance-trails/marriotts-way Norfolk County Council]
* [http://www.sustrans.org.uk/ncn/map/route/the-marriotts-way Sustrans]
* [https://lifestyletothemax.co.uk/marriotts-way-a-guide-to-norfolks-scenic-walking-and-cycling-trail/ Marriot's Way guide]
* [http://www.ride-uk.org.uk/extent/east/n-marriots.htm Horse riding]
* [http://www.peterboggis.co.uk/Marriotts_Way.htm Peter Boggis-Marriott's Way]
* [http://www.swannington-norfolk.co.uk/index-page3.html Winch's Way]
* [http://www.nnns.org.uk/ Norwich and Norfolk Naturalists' Society]
{{commons category|Marriott's Way}}

{{coord|52.6626|N|1.2297|E|display=title}}

[[Category:Norwich]]
[[Category:Footpaths in Norfolk]]
[[Category:Long-distance footpaths in England]]
[[Category:Rail trails in England]]