From time to time the question comes up: what is the total length of Beachamwell’s footpaths and bridleways etc? Online mapping tools now make it easy to answer this kind of question, and so here is a list:
| Footpath, Bridleway etc | Kilometres |
|---|---|
| BR1 | 2.2 |
| BR2 | 1.8 |
| BR3 | 3.1 |
| FP4 | 1.6 |
| RB5 | 4.0 |
| FP6 | 1.25 |
| FP7 | 0.675 |
| FP8 | 0.925 |
| BR9 | 1.5 |
| FP10 | 1.4 |
| BR11 | 1.7 |
| FP12 | 0.980 |
| FP13 | 0.620 |
| FP14 | 1.0 |
| FP15 | 0.280 |
| BR16 | 0.400 |
| FP17 | 0.630 |
| BR18 | 0.850 |
| RB19 | 0.400 |
| BR19a | 1.1 |
| FP21 | 1.1 |
| BR22 | 1.25 |
| FP23 | 0.200 |
| BR24 | 1.0 |
| Green Drove* | 1.6 |
| Total | 31.56 |
Would it be possible to walk all the rights of way in a single day? 31.5 kilometres (20 miles) in a day is clearly feasible but in reality the exercise will exceed this distance. Paths don’t follow each other in a consecutive route. There are linking sections of road, and paths would also need to be re-traced on occasion. And so the question now is: what would be the shortest itinerary that would include every part of the Beachamwell rights of way network?
That’s a question that will take a bit more working out I think. Let me know if you have an answer.
* Norfolk County Council Highways Department allocates Green Drove to Barton Bendish. In fact it follows the boundary line between the two parishes. However I have no hesitation in claiming it as part of the Beachamwell network, since it is actually closer to Beachamwell and I am sure it is walked more by Beachamwell residents and visitors. And as a clincher the local Beachamwell farmer helps to keep it clear of scrub (and much appreciated)!