Langley with Hardley
About a mile from the pretty market town of Loddon, and around 12 miles from Norwich, the parish of Langley with Hardley is situated in the heart of the Norfolk Broads. If you want to get out and explore the region on foot, Langley with Hardley is a great place to begin. Peaceful, pretty and offering a good choice of footpaths, the area has something for everyone.
Route
The most popular walk in and around Langley with Hardley is the 7.5 mile circular route that forms an extension to the Wherryman’s Way. The route starts from the car park at Hardley Staithe Road, not far from Hardley Dyke. From the car park, follow the footpath along the edge of the field, through the gate and onto the road. Follow the road to the junction and then turn right and then right again onto Hardley Road.
Once you’ve passed Great Yard Farm, turn left onto Gentleman’s Walk. Follow the lane around to the left and turn right onto the bridleway. Turn left at Staithe Road and then right onto Stone Lane. Once you’ve passed the Grange, you’ll go round a bend before seeing a footpath straight in front of you.
At the end of this footpath, turn right and walk past Langley Abbey and then turn left at the war memorial. Follow the footpath to Langley Dyke Staithe and the River Yare. As you walk along the banks if the river, you’ll go past the restored Wind Pump and then end up back in Hardley Dyke.
Difficulty
The 7.5 mile route should take around three and a half hours to complete. The route is almost totally flat and there are no stiles to contend with on the way. The walk is about 50% hard surface and 50% soft, meaning it can become muddy and difficult to navigate in wet weather.
Facilities
There are very few facilities on the walk, so make sure you pack water and snacks when you head into the great outdoors. If you want to go for a pub lunch before or after your day out, visit the White Horse in nearby Chedgrave.
Points of Interest
As you walk through Langley with Hardley, you’ll be able to see the historic Langley Abbey. Dating from the 12th century, the former monastery is now a museum. Another important sight is the Hardley Windmill. Open on weekends from May to September, the restored mill gives visitors the opportunity to learn more about how the landscape of the Broads was formed over the centuries.
There are two historic churches in Langley with Hardley. In Hardley, you’ll find St Margaret’s. Although the church dates from the Saxon period, most of the structure you see today was built in the 14th and 15th centuries. In Langley, the 14th-century church of St Michael is another interesting place to stop. Incorporating some features from Norman times, the site has been important to the local area for almost a thousand years.
Find out more about walking in the Norfolk Broads by taking a look around our site today.