Chapter 2: Ancient Paths to The Land of the North Folk

Last year, saw me fleeing lockdown blues, to embark on an epic journey across our green and pleasant land. Walking one of Britain’s most ancient trails… The Great Chalk Way or Greater Ridgeway

My journey began in Lyme Regis, gateway to the Wessex Ridgeway and then The Ridgeway National Trail. Across the ancient kingdom of Wessex, where Alfred the Great fought invading Vikings and dreamed of a united Inglaland.

Tramping hill, after lush green hill, with great fortitude, I weathered many a storm to reach Ivinghoe Beacon on the 4 June, victorious…

12 months later, and in better shape, I return to complete the two final routes:

1. The Icknield Way (Ivinghoe Beacon to Thetford) 110 miles (the oldest road in Britain)
2. The Peddars Way (Knettishall to Holme-next-the-Sea) 46 miles 

Crossing six counties, the Icknield Way Trail links the Peddars Way National Trail in Suffolk with the Ridgeway National Trail in Buckinghamshire, which in turn links with the Wessex Ridgeway.

According to Wiki, it is “one of the oldest roads in Great Britain, consisting of ancient pathways, prior to Roman occupation, that can still be traced. How old the way may be and its origin is hotly debated by scholars and authors. As are what stretches of apparent ancient path can be said to belong to it.

The earliest reference of the Icknield Way are in Anglo-Saxon charters from the year 903. The spellings Ic(c)enhilde weg, Icenhylte, Icenilde weg, Ycenilde weg and Icenhilde weg”. 

The trail was devised by the Icknield Way Association, and ‘shadows’ the ancient Icknield Way. It’s a walking route, cycle route and a bridleway. Multiple paths exist, which will make navigation tricky

The Icknield Way Trail and ‘Icknield Way‘ (ancient route) can be seen used interchangeably on OS Maps, the latter written in script

Described as ‘enchanting’ the Icknield Way Trail passes along an ancient chalk ridge, through varied landscapes, including flat fenland, rolling chalk down land, picturesque villages and ancient beech trees

The route is rich in history, passing many prehistoric sites, Grade I-listed buildings. The trail is well known for its wildlife, numerous nature reserves and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

The Peddars Way follows the route of a Roman road, according to wiki, one theory suggests “it was not created by the Romans but was an ancient trackway, a branch or extension of the Icknield Way, used and remodelled by the Romans. The name recurs in medieval records from other parts of East Anglia, and is derived from Middle English pedder, meaning an itinerant trader. It is first mentioned on a map of 1587 AD”

For the most part, the route is never too far from civilisation, so I’m happy already. I won’t need to carry quite as much food as before and I will be able to access water

The Plan:

Day 1: Drive to Hunstanton
Day 2: A convoluted journey by public transport to Ivinghoe – camp at Town Farm Campsite

‘Loose’ route stages – Starting Saturday 3rd June, wild camping, campsites, B&B and a hostel

Icknield Way

1: Ivinghoe to Streatley – Approx 20 miles
2: Streatley to Baldock – Approx 15 miles
3: Baldock to Chrishall – Approx 18 miles
4: Chrishall to Linton – Approx 11 miles
5: Linton to Cheveley – Approx 16 miles
6: Cheveley to Icklingham – Approx 14 miles
7: Icklingham to Knettishall Heath – Approx 16 miles

Peddars Way

8: Knettishall Heath to Greater Cressingham – Approx 16 miles
9: Greater Cressingham to Castle Acre – Approx 10 miles
10: Castle Acre to Holme-next-to-sea – Approx 20miles

Option to walk the Norfolk Coast afterwards – Approx 84 miles

If you would like to walk some or all of these stages with me, please feel free to get in touch

If you want to catch up on the story so far see the link: https://wordpress.com/post/fern-weh.uk/753

If you enjoy my tales you may wish to consider buying me a Coffee – Thank you, I will need them…