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 look quickly at foraging for these delicious fruits to supply 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 and some important foraging tips.
Lakenham Way, Norwich
Lakenham Way is a delightful stretch of pathways just a stone’s throw from Norwich city centre. This area is based around an old railway line that’s been adapted for walkers and cyclists. Known for its abundant hedgerows, which burst into life with ripe blackberries in late summer, this great nearby spot has been the ideal spot to forage for blackberries for the past 25 since it opened. The scenic views of the River Yare add to the charm, making it a lovely spot for a leisurely foraging walk. Lakenham Way in Norwich gives access to blackberry picking right on the edge of the city, perfect for a quick outing without the need for a car for city-dwellers. The paths are tidy, clean and even to suit most individual accessibility needs. Always check for signs of wildlife, and avoid areas that may have been treated with pesticides
Nearby attraction and parking: Parking is available at the northern end of Lakenham Way at Sainsbury’s (note that a time limit or shoppers tariff sometimes applies). There are plenty of other affordable all day parking options for Norwich. After your foraging adventure, take a relaxing walk back into the city centre or venture out south towards Old Lakenham Meadow for a chance to spot local wildlife.
Cary’s Meadow, Norwich
Cary’s Meadow is a hidden gem located near the heart of Norwich, offering a tranquil escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. This place tends to be quite quiet, mainly due to the fact very few people know about it. This wildflower meadow is not only a haven for biodiversity but also a fantastic spot for blackberry picking and the sprawling hedgerows surrounding the meadow are often a useful place to search out ripe blackberries, making it a popular spot for foragers. With over 100 native species of flora and fauna, it’s important to make sure responsible foraging is used in order to leave enough of the local berries for the ecosystem to feed off.
Best Nearby Parking & attraction: There is only parking for a few cars at this location, so arriving early or off-peak is a good idea. Enjoy a picnic in the meadow or explore the nearby River Wensum, where you can spot various bird species and enjoy the serene environment. Cary’s Meadow is, in essence, a small circular walk with a little shore connecting to the River Wensum on the south-eastern corner of the walk to explore.
Mousehold Heath, Norwich
Mousehold Heath is a stunning nature reserve that offers a variety of landscapes, including heathland, woodland, and open grassy areas. This diverse habitat is spread out over a range of terrain difficulties and stretches between roads and city sections in a well-loved natural tapestry. It is not only great for walking and cycling, but also an excellent spot for blackberry picking. The hedgerows dotted around are bursting with blackberries in late summer, providing a delightful foraging opportunity against the backdrop of beautiful heathland scenery. There’s no particular one place here that’s good to search, but the heathland sections near Norwich Prison tend to be good along with the sections towards Sprowston Retail Park are also good.
Nearby attraction: Take in the stunning views from the heath’s high points or visit the nearby St. James’ Hill, which offers historical insights, breathtaking vistas and a calm and tranquil place to sit.
Low Road or Mill Lane near Keswick
Mill Lane near Keswick is a picturesque country lane that offers ample opportunities for blackberry foraging. The abundance of berries varies year to year but the nature of this quiet road means they’re often left untouched to those not in the know. To find this road, turn off the B1113 as you head north towards Norwich, follow signage for Keswick Hall Road and turn right just before the dead-end signs into Mill Lane.
Alternatively, try Low Road in Keswick. This road adjoins the aforementioned Mill Lane and can host a good number of fruiting bushes if the weather and cutting back of hedgerows are fortuitous.
Best For and Nearby attractions: These peaceful narrow lane settings make for a perfect spot to try if you’re local to southern areas of Norwich, Mulbarton, Swardeston etc. After foraging, why not make the most of the circular walks around Eaton Common (open access land with beautiful river views, especially of Keswick Watermill) or the Marston Marsh nature reserve? To make parking easy, you could park in the historic village of Cringleford and take in a scenic walk through the surrounding countryside or park at the end of Marston Lane where there’s a small parking space for the nearby Danby Woods that is suitable for about eight cars.
Wymondham Road, New Buckenham Common
Located a little further south of Norwich, New Buckenham Common is a charming area known for its rich biodiversity and beautiful landscapes. The common has a mix of grasslands and hedgerows, making it an excellent location for blackberry picking. Running along the western side of the common is the old Wymondham Road, a single-lane track that partially enters open and accessible grazing land where you’ll often see cattle in the summer months. This road and track have a range of foraging opportunities including an abundance of sloes. As you wander the road or through the common, weather permitting, you’ll find plenty of ripe blackberries nestled among the hedges.
Best parking and attractions: A family-friendly foraging experience with plenty of space to roam across the common, see native deer, view Spittle Mere and enjoy the nearby children’s play area. New Buckenham is a 20mph village of narrow historic streets and beautiful homes, a great place to wander and enjoy a coffee at the Castle Cafe or the fantastic King’s Head eatery! On a weekday, visitors can get the key to the village castle grounds from the local village stores. Free parking for around fifteen cars is available near the common and the children’s play area.
Foraging tip: Familiarise yourself with the countryside code, which encourages respect for the land and wildlife. Always leave gates as you find them and take your litter home.
Dunston Field (Behind Venta Icenorum) Stoke Road, Norwich
The fields behind Venta Icenorum, located near Stoke Road, offer a hidden treasure for blackberry foragers. This lesser-known spot is perfect for those looking to escape the crowds and enjoy a peaceful day in nature. The hedgerows in this area are almost endless, many teeming with blackberries, providing a fantastic foraging opportunity. This site connects to the remains of the Old Roman Town, open access walks across High Ash Farm (a great place to see bluebells in Norwich) and also the wider Tas Valley trails.
Best parking and attractions: Visitors can either access Dunston Field from Stoke Road (near St Remigus Church), where there’s a free woodland parking area complete with small play area for the kids, or via the the parking at Caistor Old Roman Town (Venta Icenorum). A quiet, off-the-beaten-path foraging experience, ideal for those seeking solitude in nature and the historic landscape.
Responsible Foraging and Blackberry Facts
As you embark on your foraging adventures, it’s important to consider responsible foraging. Always respect the environment by not over-picking and ensuring that you leave enough for wildlife and other foragers. Familiarise yourself with the countryside code, which encourages respect for nature, wildlife, and the land. Interestingly, Norfolk has been at the forefront of blackberry cultivation, with local science research centres developing the first thornless hybrid blackberry, some of which are in use at pick-your-own sites around Norfolk and Suffolk.
Norfolk’s blackberry-picking spots offer a delightful way to connect with nature and enjoy the sweet rewards of the season. So grab your basket, head outdoors, and savour the joy of foraging for blackberries in this beautiful county. Don’t forget to let us know of any successes or failures in the comments.
