Gressenhall and Rural Life

About trip

what should be done about the poor? This was the question that vexed politicians and philanthropists in the 18th century, just as it does today. The answer in those days, however, was to build workhouses, so that people were provided with beds, clothes and food, and their waking hours were taken up with ‘honest labour’. One such institution was built at Gressenhall between 1776-77, at the cost of £15,000. It was called the Union Workhouse, and was home to married couples, children and single people alike. The building is impressive - a surprising sight to appear suddenly among the trees in this pleasant countryside. It was H-plan in design, with two L-shaped extensions in the east. More buildings were added in the mid-1830s, when the Poor Law Amendment Act required workhouses to change.Visitors today will be astonished at the size of this fascinating museum. Not only are there exhibitions about living in the workhouse, but Union Farm still works the land in the traditional way using heavy horses. There is a 1930sstyle village high street with a post office, blacksmith’s forge and grocer, and well-maintained gardens, including 50 acres (20ha) of unspoiled countryside with marked woodland walks and nature trails. There is also a cemetery for those who died here and yards where men and women were separated by high walls. The museum is open daily from Easter to October. Begin your day here, learning about what life was like in Norfolk in bygone days, and then move on to a country walk where little has changed since Union Workhouse rang with the voices of its pauper inmates. While you're there: Visit The Workhouse Experience inside the museum, where costumed actors bring the past to life. Children will also enjoy the woodland playground and taking a cart ride around Union Farm. The Animal Ark, formerly Norfolk Wildlife Park, just off the A1067 in the village of Great Witchingham, has rare breed farm animals as well as more exotic species including wallabies, llamas and chinchillas. What to look out for: The little Church of St Peter in Bittering stands on its own; it dates from the 13th century and was altered during the 15th. There was once a moated manor house near by, and although it was destroyed in the 1800s the moat is still just visible. Where to eat and drink: There is a café in the museum, serving teas, coffees and snacks, as well as hot meals and cold drinks. On the walk you can take a mid-way break at The White Horse at Longham, which serves home-cooked meals and real ales. The Swan Inn in Gressenhall has a beer garden and serves homemade dishes and desserts. Directions: Leave the car park and turn right on to the B1146. Take the next right, which is the Nar Valley Way, one of Norfolk’s prettiest long distance footpaths. This takes you past a copse and then through Gressenhall itself. When you reach The Swan Inn turn right, past more houses, until you reach a crossroads. Turn left, following signs for the Nar Valley Way. After about 100yds (91m), take the footpath to your right, still the Nar Valley Way. This narrow path lies between tall hedges and is like a green tunnel in summer and spring. It widens eventually and, after about 0.75 mile (1.2km), emerges on to a track called Stoney Lane. Turn left, still following signs for the Nar Valley Way, and walk for another 0.75 mile (1.2km) to reach a plantation of tall pine trees. Turn left, leaving the Nar Valley Way. The foundations of the deserted village of Bittering Parva are to the right. When you reach a crossroads and Ostrich House, follow the lane towards Longham. Stay on this lane, passing Ostrich Lane to your right, then turn right when you see a sign to the Village Hall. Pass the Village Hall and continue along this street. When you see The White Horse at Longham ahead, take a sharp left along Dereham Low Road. Walk down a hill, then up the other side, with views across working land to your right. Once you have passed the barn conversions and a pair of silos, turn left at Park Farm Cottages, and walk for 0.75 mile (1.2km), ignoring the first lane to your right, and bearing right at the next junction. At the junction after that bear right again, following signs for Dereham, past the old cottages on your left. The road winds along a shallow valley to reach a brick bridge and Norfolk Herbs at Blackberry Farm. Turn left along the gravel track signposted to Drift Farm (public footpath) and follow the signs to the right before you reach the farm itself. At a crossing of paths, take the one to your left. The path runs alongside an orchard before becoming a paved track. Keep straight ahead, following the red arrows. When you reach the Stables and Mill House, turn left on to the main road. Walk along this road until you arrive at the museum on your left.