Call for new national trail from Norfolk to Yorkshire

The North Sea National Trail has been proposed in a report from think tank Onward.

It would give walkers the opportunity to hike hundreds of miles from the Humber, through the Lincolnshire Wolds, around the Wash and across Norfolk to Norwich.

A new National Trail from Norfolk to Yorkshire has been proposed (Image: Archant)

The report's authors say the Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs and Natural Engalnd should announce the trail to celebrate the 75th anniversary of legislation to create National Parks.

They say the route could be "the flagship project of a new national programme for interaction with nature".

The North Sea National Trail would pass around the Wash (Image: Mike Page)

They suggest that in Norfolk, the trail could go around the Wash and head to Norwich.

The North Sea National Trail would stretch from Yorkshire to Norfolk (Image: Onward)

The report's authors say that could either take the form of a new route or through upgrades to the existing Cross-Norfolk Trail - a 96-mile path which runs from King's Lynn to Great Yarmouth, via Norwich.

The Cross-Norfolk Trail begins with the Nar Valley Way in King's Lynn on the Wash and continues with the Wensum Way and Marriott's Way to Norwich.

The Marriott's Way (Image: Norfolk County Council)

It picks up the Wensum River Parkway through the city and then the Wherryman's Way to Great Yarmouth.

A link to the 46-mile Peddars Way, which goes from Knettishall Heath in Suffolk to Holme-next-the-Sea (where it joins the Norfolk Coast Path) are also proposed.

READ MORE: 9 long walking trails to explore in Norfolk

Outside of Norfolk, the trail would require upgrades to the Viking Way, which stretches 147 miles from the Humber to Lincoln, via Oakham and it could also connect to the Yorkshire Wolds Way.

The project would have to be backed and funded by the government, but Onward says the cost would be low.

They say the King Charles III Coastal Path, which goes around the whole length of the English coastline, only cost £16m.

The Walk on the Wild Side report claimed access to nature is not equal across England and, particularly in high quality farmland in Lincolnshire, there are a lack of public rights of way.

Ed Winfield, from Onward (Image: Onward)Ed Winfield, from the Conservative-aligned Onward, said: "Creating a new North Sea National Trail across eastern England will address the country’s most significant access to nature gap, while other initiatives such as recording historic rights of way and integrating nature into planning decisions can overcome local nature ‘notspots’."

The Humber Bridge, near Kingston upon Hull in the East Riding of Yorkshire (Image: Richard McCarthy/PA Wire)

The report's authors say there is "strong evidence" accessing nature can boost physical and mental health - helping to reduce costs and pressures on the NHS.

A spokesman for Norfolk County Council said much would depend on land availability and funding.

The spokesman said Norfolk already had 14 long-distance routes, including the Peddars Way and the Norfolk Coast Path National trail.

He said: "Creating new high-quality infrastructure that provides equitable access to nature requires significant investment to develop and maintain.

"By way of example, we recently opened the new £1m boardwalk in Brancaster, which saw the creation of an inclusive access to a popular part of Norfolk's coast through our work with key partners."

Officials at DEFRA would not state whether they would support the new trail, but said they were creating a new National Trail in the north of England by upgrading the Wainwright's coast to coast route.

A spokeswoman said: "We are increasing access to nature, boosting people’s mental and physical health and leaving a legacy for generations to come."

What is a National Trail and who pays for them?

National Trails are long distance walks through some of the UK's best landscapes.

The government pays for them through Natural England, with further cash coming from local highway authorities and other funding partners.

There are currently 16 National Trails, with the Peddars Way and Norfolk Coast Path among them.

Walkers can enjoy them all, while cyclists and horse riders can enjoy the Pennine Bridleway and the South Downs Way, as well as sections of the other trails.

The King Charles III England Coast Path is the newest and longest National Trail, going around the whole coast.

Sections in Norfolk include Hopton-on-Sea to Sea Palling, Sea Palling to Weybourne and Hunstanton to Sutton Bridge.