Round trip from Newmarket to Wells next the Sea
This route was brought to you by:
RouteXpert Nick Carthew - (MRA Master)
Last edit: 24-01-2023
Route Summary
Country roads through the Fenlands to the North Norfolk coast, passing through the Royal Estate at Sandringham.This is a pleasant route that is not challenging and and I have awarded it with 3 stars *** as the roads, scenery and attractions are all good.
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Animation
Verdict
Duration
6h 53m
Mode of travel
Car or motorcycle
Distance
261.95 km
Countries
Castle Rising
RouteXpert Review
This route takes you from the famous horse racing town of Newmarket, to the ancient city of Ely where you will pass right by the magnificent Ely Cathedral. Ely is built on and island surrounded by former marshland and is the highest land in the Fens at 85 feet (26 m). But most of the fens were drained several centuries ago, resulting in a flat, dry, low-lying agricultural region supported by a system of drainage channels and man-made rivers (dykes and drains) and automated pumping stations. There have been unintended consequences to this reclamation, as the land level has continued to sink and the dykes must be built higher to protect it from flooding. You will see evidence of this as the route follows and crosses over some of the major drains and rivers. There is an opportunity to stop for a coffee on the outskirts of Kings Lynn before visiting the castle at Castle Rising. Built around 1140 AD, this Norman castles most famous period in its history was when it came to the mother of Edward III, Queen Isabella, following her part in the murder of her husband Edward II. The castle passed to the Howard family in 1544 and it remains in their hands today.
Next on this route is the Sandringham Estate, the favored winter residence of Queen Elizabeth II and this route will take you through a large part of the estate a right past the Sandringham Stud Farm.
The route visits the coast at Wells next the Sea, this is an ideal place to stop for some lunch, fish and chips or a crab sandwich.
The route returns to Newmarket on beautiful country roads passing through small villages with their flint built cottages and traveling through Thetford Forest Park and passed the RAF base at Lakenheath. Although an RAF station, it hosts United States Air Force units and personnel. The host wing is the 48th Fighter Wing (48 FW), also known as the Liberty Wing. You may be lucky to see some of their F15 fighters take off and land.
Ely Cathedral
Sixteen Foot Drain. One of the many man-made channels that keep the Norfolk Fens dry.
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Disclaimer
Use of this GPS route is at your own expense and risk. The route has been carefully composed and checked by a MyRoute-app accredited RouteXpert for use on TomTom, Garmin and MyRoute-app Navigation.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
Changes may nevertheless have occurred due to changed circumstances, road diversions or seasonal closures. We therefore recommend checking each route before use.
Preferably use the route track in your navigation system. More information about the use of MyRoute-app can be found on the website under 'Community' or 'Academy'.
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