Starting from Norwich, the route passes by Venta Icenorum, the capital of the Iceni Tribe that attempted to rise up against the Roman Empire back in 60 AD and, while they ultimately didn't succeed, did manage to seriously destabilise Roman control in Britain. It also incorporates parts of Boudicca Way, a route that goes between Norwich and Diss.
Coming back, the route returns through Kett's Heights, a key area during Kett's Rebellion. This revolt was against landowners in the area as they closed common land in the area for private use. This left peasants nowhere to graze animals at a time of inflation, unemployment, increasing rent, and declining wages. Starting in Wymondham on 8th July 1549, rioters first targeted Robert Kett as one of the infringing landowners. However, after listening to the rioters, Kett decided to join them and help them tear down his and other fences. After this, the rioters stormed Norwich with Kett as their leader, capturing it and defeating a Royal Army led by the Marquess of Northampton, William Parr, on August 1st.
Both Boudicca's conquest against the Romans and Kett's stand against exploitation stand as icons of Rebellions which this route honours, as well as a lot of other fascinatingly turbulent history from the iron age onwards.
Camping on the Rebellion Way
Our site has plenty of amenities for your stop-off along the route. Cool down and clean off in the on-site showers, and freshen up in the toilets! You can also use the free WiFi to keep in touch with everything, update people on your progress, or simply unwind after a long day of cycling. Our site is dipped down from the road which protects it from the noise and view of surrounding caravan sites, making for a quiet stay in your one-person tent. If you're cycling as a group, you can all camp next to each other so you won't have to be spread around the site.
Alternatively, if you want somewhere more comfortable to stop for the night, we have a range of Glamping, B&B, and Cottage options for your stay!
Rebellion Way Bed & Breakfast - B&B Rooms
An ideal choice for staying for one night at our site! Our cosy Bed and Breakfast rooms will give you a comfortable bed, a bathroom to freshen up in, and a buffet breakfast in the morning to give you plenty of energy for the next leg of your journey. Or, at least, enough energy until you spy a nice cafe on your route! Converted from farm buildings, our B&Bs all feature rustic stylings that capture that farm feel while providing a comfortable room for the night. In the morning, just text us a 20-minute slot between 8 am and 10 am for your breakfast (to avoid overcrowding the breakfast room) and once your slot arrives, you'll have access to a variety of food, including fresh bread from local bakeries, eggs laid from the chickens that roam the site, fresh fruit, jams, yoghurts, cereal, tea, coffee, and more! You can also use the provided kettles, toasters, egg cookers, and microwave to prep your breakfast meal!
Rebellion Way Glamping
Bell Tent - Our bell tents are specially designed to keep you comfortable under canvas, with a double bed, provided stove, and comfy furniture to ensure you can relax in total comfort and unwind before continuing on the 232-mile route. At your bell tent, you can use the provided fire pit to cook yourself a barbecue meal after a long day of cycling or cook up a unique full English the morning before setting off
Shepherds Hut - Our cosy shepherds huts are the perfect fit for couples tackling Rebellion Way together! With a double bed, dining table, kitchenette, and access to the Glampers' kitchen, you'll have the space to relax, cook, and prepare for the journey ahead! Also, you'll get a basket of breakfast goods delivered to your hut in the morning, so you can sort your breakfast out without having to leave!
Self-Catering Accommodation on the Rebellion Way
Self-Catering Chalets - The self-catering chalets offer a double bed to stay in and a kitchenette for preparing and cooking food, making it great for those who brought food with them. With an en-suite shower and toilet, you'll be able to clean up and get ready for continuing on down the way. These chalet rooms also come with skylights above the bed, meaning you can watch the stars at night while you're relaxing after completing the latest leg of the Rebellion Way
Self-Catering Cottages - For bigger groups, our Self-Catering Cottages provide plenty of space for families that are going through the Rebellion Way together. With a full kitchen including a fridge, electric oven, stove, microwave, and more, the self-catering cottages let you cook whatever meals you need to have the energy for cycling the byways and quiet back roads of the route!
Of course, these are just the headlines, as these routes very intentionally take you through some great towns, villages, rural areas, and more! Villages like Diss, Heacham, Holt, and Burnham Market make for good stop-off points if you want a break from cycling. Meanwhile, you can also visit attractions like Holkham Hall and Castle Acre, or simply enjoy the stunning vistas and thriving wildlife of the Norfolk Broads and The Brecks. There are plenty of places to visit on your journey, and you can visit as few or as many as you'd like.
The length of the route can be daunting to amateur cyclists, but it is designed to be ridden by cyclists of all skill levels. Thanks to Norfolk's relatively flat terrain, you won't have to do any more than 100m of height gain along the whole route, and most of the height gain you have to do is very gentle; there's only one section near Sheringham where you might need to push.
One of the biggest seaside resorts in North Norfolk with a wealth of fun things to do for people of all ages! The route goes adjacent to the town's South Promenade and past a lot of the attractions there, including the Sea Life Centre, Rainbow Park Fairground, Blackbeard's Adventure Golf, a variety of arcades, and more! The route also takes you along Cliff Parade, where you can get a great view of the sea as you ride past the beautiful Esplanade Gardens. Of course, while you may well want to pass through and crack on with the route, Hunstanton provides plenty of reasons to stop off, either for the day or just for a quick pit-stop on your journey for some fish and chips!
With over 18,000 hectares of woodland, Thetford Forest is an expansive area with plenty to explore and multiple routes in and around it. The Rebellion Way goes straight through it, giving you a quick-stop tour of the forest in all its natural beauty. However, it's worth staying longer to really explore it in-depth. Why not take a detour on your main route to ride around some of the other routes offered in this expanse of woodland? Or, you can stop off at Grime's Grave, the only Neolithic flint mine in Britain that is still open to visitors. The Way takes you straight past it, making it a prime location to stop off and learn some history!
The village of Castle Acre is one deeply rooted in ancient history, with architecture that stretches back all the way to 1090! The route goes straight through the village, as well as through the Bailey Gate and past the castle and priory that still stand there almost a whole millennium later. Either stop off to explore the inside of these historic grounds, or take a coffee break at one of the village's cafes.
Another attraction en-route is Wells-next-the-Sea, one of the quieter beaches on the North Norfolk coast but by no means one of the lesser ones. Your path will give you views across the sea out from Wells, as well as the beautiful salt marshes across from the beach. However, with a cafe and miles of gorgeous beach, this is one location that is well worth a stop! Take a break and relax on the beach, or go explore Wells Wood, a unique semi-natural pinewood forest that lines the coast!
A royal estate and a favourite of the late Queen Elizabeth II, the Rebellion Way cuts through some of Sandringham's royal woodland. However, the grounds and the estate itself make for fantastic places to explore and take in. Whether you're leaving the bike for a bit and going for a walk around one of the many trails, or diverging from your main route to tackle one of the cycling loops through Sandringham's grounds, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the carefully looked-after gardens and grounds of Sandringham! You can also book to go in and see the house and gardens.
Still maintained in the style of Edward and Alexandra, Prince and Princess of Wales (later King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra), all the main ground floor rooms used by The Royal Family, full of their treasured ornaments, portraits and furniture, are open to the public. In addition to the magnificent State Rooms, there is a large exhibition on Prince Albert in the Coach House.
Along the coast from Hunstanton, Old Hunstanton is a stretch of coastline that is famous for its unique red and white striped cliffs! Generally quieter than the main Hunstanton beach, Old Hunstanton is off the path of the Rebellion Way somewhat, however it is well worth the small added journey to visit this special natural occurrence, or simply to just relax on a quiet beach for 5 minutes before continuing on your journey!
Holkham Hall - Holkham Hall is an 18th-century country house located adjacent to the village of Holkham, Norfolk, England. The hall and its accompanying neoclassical temples and palladian bridge are listed Grade I on Historic England's Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England. It was constructed in the Palladian style by architect William Kent between 1734 and 1764 for Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester as a home for his large art and book collection.
The Rebellion Way also goes through Holkham Hall, a stately home with expansive parkland and rich biodiversity. The large park is host to a variety of activities, ranging from cycling and walking routes that go around the grounds to the Walled Garden, boat hire on the lake, cafe, and more! Holkham has a lot to explore and makes for a great stopping point on your journey.
