Walk on the Edge
I parked opposite Pentney church and walked back towards Narborough. At the first opportunity I turned right and followed a road and then bridle paths down to the river, where I joined the Nar Valley Way and headed west towards Pentney Abbey. The abbey used to sit on an island surrounded by the waters of a tidal creek, where the Nar flowed into the Fens. Today the Fens have been drained, the river embanked and the only thing that’s left of the priory is its gatehouse! But, if you were looking for Norfolk’s version of St. Michael’s Mount, or Holy Island, Pentney Abbey could have been it! At one time the Nar was called God’s Holy River on account of all the religious houses on its banks. It’s still a holy, wild and lonely place. In a strong wind birds kept their heads down. But several brave Skylarks and Yellow Hammers sung out their songs and Swifts, Swallows and Sand Martins swooped and dived. From the water meadows along the valley nesting Cur...