Where to Start the Peddars Way
The Peddars Way begins at Knettishall Heath on the Suffolk–Norfolk border, where self-guided travel, walking routes, open landscapes, and rural places come together at the southern end of this long-distance path. From here, the route follows the line of a Roman road north through Breckland and into Norfolk, gradually approaching the coast at Holme-next-the-Sea.
Knettishall Heath
The official start of the Peddars Way is at Knettishall Heath Nature Reserve, a quiet area of heathland and woodland just outside Thetford.
View the start point on Google Maps
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There is no formal trailhead in the traditional sense. Instead, the route begins naturally within the landscape, at the edge of a small car park, marked by wayfinding posts and the steady line of the track heading north.
At the start point you’ll find:
- A small car park
- Open heathland and pine forest
- Clear Peddars Way waymarking
From the outset, the character of the route is established — level, direct, and unhurried.
Nearest Train Station: Thetford
The nearest rail access point to the start of the Peddars Way is Thetford, located a few miles from Knettishall Heath.
Thetford provides direct connections to Norwich and Cambridge, with onward links to London. For most walkers arriving by train, this is the practical starting point for accessing the route.
Getting to Knettishall Heath
From Thetford, the start of the trail can be reached in several ways:
Taxi
The most straightforward option, with a short journey from the station to the heath.
Walking
Possible for those wanting to begin on foot, passing through forest and open Breckland landscape before joining the official route.
Local transport
Limited and less direct, so generally not relied upon.
Starting from Thetford
Some walkers choose to begin directly from Thetford rather than travelling to Knettishall Heath.
This approach extends the route slightly but allows for a continuous journey from rail arrival into the landscape, with the first section passing through woodland and quieter countryside before joining the main line of the Peddars Way.
The First Section of the Route
From Knettishall Heath, the route heads north across Breckland, following long, straight sections of Roman road through heathland, forest, and open farmland.
Early points along the route include Great Cressingham and Castle Acre, where the landscape begins to shift and the route gains a stronger sense of history and settlement.
A Quiet Beginning
Starting the Peddars Way is not marked by a single moment, but by a gradual transition into the landscape.
From the open ground at Knettishall Heath, the route draws you forward in a steady line, with distance unfolding gently and the rhythm of the walk establishing itself early. It is a beginning defined by space, simplicity, and continuity rather than arrival.
