Footpath No10, Martham

Footpath No10. Starts opposite St Mary’s Church car park in Black Street, runs along Oak Tree Close and on through to Sandy Lane (footpath No17).

OS map ref: TG455184 to TG451183.   Distance: 428 yards (391 metres)

Surface: At the Oak Tree Close end a firm path of compacted earth and stones. Tarmac along Oak Tree Close and compacted mud/grass along the final section of field edge.

Description: A short level walk from the church towards the Cess linked footpaths.

Linked Footpaths: Joins footpath No 17 (Sandy Lane) which is part of the interconnected group of footpath numbers 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 17 & 18 that are the remains of medieval paths running from the church to the 13th century hamlet of Cess and provided access to the west field system.

Footpath No10 shown in red.

Start: Park in St Mary’s Church car park and cross the road back west. The path starts between numbers 71 & 73 Black Street. The first short section traces the original line of the footpath and on your right is the former Dissenters’ (Baptist) graveyard which was used up to 1924. Here once stood the first Baptist Chapel in Martham built around 1799. Its first leader was Mr. Wiscard Davey.

The path used to run along the north edge of a long yard that was the base of Kirby & Sons Haulage Contractors which closed in 1990 and was turned into the houses that are now Oak Tree Close. Walk to the end of the Close and although it seems unlikely, you can go round the left of the double garages that belong to Nos 22 & 24 which are the last pair of semi detached bungalows on Oak Tree Close; once round them the fields open up before you. The path continues for 210 yards until meeting footpath No 17 known as Sandy Lane.

Looking back (east) at Footpath No10 from Sandy Lane

St Mary’s Church

No visit to Martham would be complete without a visit to St Mary’s Church. This magnificent building with a 98ft tower and a ring of 6 bells was established around 1450 and is known as the Cathedral of the Fleggs. Unarguably so because this is the biggest, grandest church for miles around. The views from the tower are spectacular; with twelve other churches visible from the top. The tower is early perpendicular in style and the nave is classic mid-15th century. The chancel was built in the 1870’s as a memorial to the 19th century Rector, Jonathan Dawson.

Start of footpath No10 opposite St Mary’s
Footpath No10. End of walk approaching Sandy Lane.

For a printer friendly version click HERE. This will open a separate window as a ‘pdf’ that you can then print.

Return to Footpaths