Places To Pick Blackberries In Norfolk

With the hours of summer sun in the evenings drawing in already, Norfolk’s hedgerows and countryside are coming alive with the sweet, juicy bounty of blackberries. In this article, we’ll use our experience of foraging for these delicious fruits to help others in Norfolk gather a larder for homemade pies, crumbles, and smoothies, or simply to enjoy a handful as they are. The following venues offer the perfect spots for blackberry picking in Norfolk, and hopefully, you’ll find one spot nearby to enjoy. Let’s explore each location, our first-hand experience of them, and some important foraging tips.

Lakenham Way, Norwich – easy access blackberry picking near the city

Lakenham Way offers one of the easiest blackberry picking routes for those living in Norwich. Built along the line of a disused railway, the path has been a green corridor for walkers and cyclists for more than 25 years. The hedgerows here burst into life in late summer, making it possible to collect a good haul of blackberries without ever leaving the city.

What makes this spot especially appealing is accessibility. The flat, tidy paths are suitable for most users, including families with buggies, and the proximity to the River Yare adds to the sense of escape. From personal experience, we’ve often walked this stretch on summer evenings and found enough berries for a crumble within minutes.

Nearby parking and attractions: The northern end of Lakenham Way connects to the Sainsbury’s car park (watch for time limits), and there are further nearby affordable all-day parking options in Norwich. After foraging, it’s worth extending your walk south towards Old Lakenham Meadow, where wildlife is plentiful and the river views are especially peaceful.

Foraging note: Always keep an eye out for wildlife using the hedges and avoid any areas that may have been treated with pesticides.

Cary’s Meadow, Norwich – quiet blackberry foraging spot by the River Wensum

Cary’s Meadow is one of Norwich’s lesser-known green spaces, tucked away close to the River Wensum. While it remains something of a secret to many, those who know it value its wildflower meadows, calm setting and the hedgerows that reliably provide blackberries in late summer. The area also supports over a hundred native species, so careful and responsible foraging is especially important here – take only what you need and leave plenty for wildlife.

We’ve enjoyed the swans gliding across the water and waved to the passing motor boat on the line from Norwich, which runs just beside the meadow’s lowest point. It’s small touches like these that make Cary’s Meadow feel connected both to the city and the countryside.

From our own visits, Cary’s Meadow has always felt more like a pause from the city than a formal park. It’s a modest circular walk that rewards patience – you won’t find every hedge laden, but when the season is right, the bushes along the edges can yield some of the plumpest fruit in Norwich. Its relative quietness compared with more obvious spots like Mousehold Heath makes it especially appealing if you prefer peaceful picking.

Nearby parking and attractions: Parking is limited to just a handful of spaces, so arriving early or off-peak helps.

Foraging note: This is a sensitive site – keep dogs under control as some have been responsible in the area for attacks on livestock. Avoid trampling wildflowers and respect its role as both a natural habitat and a local retreat.

Mousehold Heath, Norwich – blackberry picking with city views and open heathland

Mousehold Heath is one of Norwich’s most loved open spaces, stretching across more than 180 acres of heathland, woodland and grassy clearings. The diversity of the landscape makes it not only a favourite for walking and cycling but also a rewarding spot for blackberry picking. In late summer, the hedgerows around the heath are dotted with ripe fruit, particularly along the paths near Norwich Prison and the Sprowston Retail Park side.

From our own time here, Mousehold is a place that always feels alive. You can be walking through quiet birch woodland one moment, then step out onto open heath the next. It’s this mix of habitats that makes the foraging so variable — some years the crop is heavy in one corner, the next year somewhere else surprises you. We’ve often taken a bag here for blackberries and ended up with views as much as fruit; the panoramas back towards Norwich from the high ground are some of the best in the city.

Nearby parking and attractions: There are several small car parks dotted around Mousehold, and it links easily with St. James’ Hill – a particularly romantic spot to sit with a picnic blanket and watch the city below. It also features in our Norfolk picnic spots guide if you want to combine foraging with a summer afternoon outdoors.

Foraging note: With such a large area, there’s no single “best” place to search, so explore a little and be prepared to move between hedges. The heath is popular, so respect other visitors, keep to paths where possible, and avoid picking near busy roadside edges.

Mill Lane and Low Road, Keswick – country lane blackberry picking south of Norwich

Mill Lane near Keswick is one of those quiet country roads where foraging still feels unhurried. The hedgerows lining the lane are usually generous with blackberries in late summer, and because it’s off the main routes, they’re often left untouched by anyone who doesn’t know the spot. Low Road, which adjoins Mill Lane, is another reliable stretch for picking, with brambles running along its verges when conditions have been kind.

From our own visits, the setting here feels properly rural despite being so close to Norwich. The lanes twist between old hedgerows, with views out across Keswick Hall and its surrounding fields. It’s a place we’ve come back to over the years, and it has always struck us as somewhere that balances being near the city with feeling like a countryside secret. That said, we think the increased traffic this year caused by the construction of the electricity substation for the future pylon route may change the feel of the area – both in terms of footfall and the abundance or “wilding” of the hedgerows around Keswick Hall. It will be worth watching how that develops over the next few seasons.

Nearby parking and attractions: These are narrow lanes, so parking directly can be tricky. Instead, we recommend starting from nearby Danby Woods or Marston Marsh, both of which have small car parks and offer good family-friendly circular walks. Eaton Common is another worthwhile nearby spot, with open access land and lovely river views, especially around Keswick Watermill. For bluebell lovers, this area also connects easily with High Ash Farm, which we included in our guide to Norfolk’s best bluebell walks.

Foraging note: The hedges here are cut back at times, so abundance can vary. If you find one stretch light on berries, try the next lane — persistence usually pays off.

 

Wymondham Road, New Buckenham Common – blackberry picking on open common land

New Buckenham Common, just south of Norwich, is one of the county’s loveliest stretches of common land. A mix of grassland, hedgerows and wetland edges makes it a strong spot for blackberry picking, particularly along the old Wymondham Road which runs on the western side. Sloes are also common here, so foragers often return with more than one treat for the larder.

We’ve walked this common in late summer and always found it a joy — sometimes you’ll come back with baskets full of berries, other times you’ll find a quieter hedge and enjoy the views instead. The wide-open grazing land makes it feel very different from Norwich’s tucked-away lanes. If you’re lucky, you might also catch a lively game of cricket being played on the nearby village grounds, which only adds to the sense of traditional rural Norfolk life.

Nearby parking and attractions: There’s free parking for around fifteen cars by the children’s play area and Spittle Mere. Families especially enjoy the open space, spotting native deer, or wandering into the historic village itself. New Buckenham has narrow, characterful streets with places to pause – the Castle Café for coffee, or the excellent King’s Head pub for food and a warm welcome. On weekdays, visitors can even borrow the key to the castle grounds from the village shop for a short explore.

Foraging note: Be aware of cattle grazing the surrounding fields – give them space, keep dogs on a lead, and don’t over-pick from hedges on the common. The area’s biodiversity makes it as valuable for wildlife as it is for human foragers.

Dunston Field (behind Venta Icenorum), Stoke Road – foraging with a historic backdrop

The fields behind Venta Icenorum, the remains of the old Roman town near Caistor St Edmund, are some of the most atmospheric places to pick blackberries in Norfolk. Hedgerows line the field edges, and in late summer they can be teeming with fruit. Walking out from the Roman ruins and crossing the little bridge into Dunston Field, you step into a vast hillside expanse where berries grow thickly around the margins.

From our own visits, this is a place that feels untouched by time. You’re gathering blackberries against the backdrop of centuries of history, with the Tas Valley spreading out around you. It’s quiet, rarely busy, and perfect if you want a more solitary forage compared to the busier Norwich green spaces. The nearby woodland play area by St Remigius Church makes it a good family choice too, offering children a break after a wander across the fields.

Nearby parking and attractions: Visitors can park at the woodland car park near Stoke Road, or at Venta Icenorum itself, where there’s free access and interpretation boards about the Roman site. The footpaths here also link with High Ash Farm, which is one of our favourite spring spots for bluebells, and the wider Tas Valley trails.

Evening tip: Once the light fades, this area also connects to Bagpipe Corner – a locally loved stargazing spot where you can sometimes catch sight of the Milky Way on clear nights. It’s a place known for its quirky history (we’ve been lucky enough to hear a local piper once practising there), and today it’s as popular with sky-watchers as it is with foragers. If you’re tempted to stay out after dusk, we’ve covered it fully in our guide to the best places to stargaze in Norfolk.

Foraging note: Stick to the field margins and avoid cutting across the cropped land. The abundance varies year to year, but patience is usually rewarded with a good haul.

Responsible Foraging and Blackberry Facts

Foraging for blackberries is one of the simplest and most rewarding ways to enjoy Norfolk’s late summer landscape, but it’s important to do it responsibly. We always follow the Countryside Code – leaving gates as we find them, avoiding trampling crops, and never over-picking. Remember that blackberries are an essential food source for birds and small mammals. A good rule is to take only what you need for a pie or a crumble and leave the rest for wildlife and fellow walkers.

Our lived experience has taught us that timing makes a real difference. The fruit often ripens unevenly, depending on sun exposure – the berries along south-facing hedges are usually the first to sweeten. Some years are heavy with fruit, others are sparse, often depending on how much rain falls in July. When we’ve been out walking the Norfolk lanes and commons, we’ve noticed that areas left less disturbed by hedge-cutting usually give the best yield.

Blackberries also have a proud connection with Norfolk science. The first thornless hybrid blackberry was developed at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, pioneering research that still benefits growers today. You’ll find some of these varieties at local pick-your-own farms in Norfolk and Suffolk, which are great if you’d like to combine the experience with other seasonal fruit.

Finally, blackberry season links beautifully with other ways of enjoying Norfolk’s outdoors. Whether that’s taking a basket on one of our dog-friendly circular walks or staying out after dark to enjoy a sky full of stars at stargazing spots across the county, these little fruits are a reminder of how much nature there is to enjoy on our doorstep.

Summary of our top spots for blackberry picking in Norfolk

Location	What to expect
Lakenham Way, Norwich	Easy access near the city centre with tidy paths and reliable hedgerows.
Cary’s Meadow, Norwich	Quiet wildflower meadow; we’ve enjoyed swans on the water and waving at trains.
Mousehold Heath, Norwich	Expansive heathland with scattered hedgerows and broad views across the city.
Low Road & Mill Lane, Keswick	Quiet country lanes; berries vary yearly with hedge cutting and rainfall.
Wymondham Road, New Buckenham	Hedge-lined track on the edge of the common; good for sloes as well as berries.
Dunston Field, Venta Icenorum	Historic setting with generous hedgerows; links to Bagpipe Corner nearby.