WOODLANDS & WALKS - Costessey is fortunate in having numerous and diverse public areas.
Woodland
Greenhills Wood - Townhouse Rd - Approximately 17.5 acres of mixed woodland. It was once owned by the Forestry Commission who planted conifers. The Parish Council are having these removed to return the woodland to its natural state. There are a number of dedicated paths and a small glade at the top of the hill. In the spring the woodland is carpeted with wonderful bluebells.
Bunkers Hill - Woodland Rd – approximately 4.5 acres of deciduous trees, mainly oak with an open grassed area in its centre.
Snake Hill Woods - Brickfield Loke - Owned by the Woodland Trust and purchased with grant funding from local business, residents and the Parish Council.
Easthills (Managed by South Norfolk Council) - deciduous woodland containing a number of walks linking Longwater Lane and Middleton Crescent.
Areas of woodland are carefully managed by the Parish Council. Parents can expect to allow their and children play safely, where pets can be walked and where a leisurely peaceful break can be enjoyed by all.
Parkland
Longwater Lane Recreation Ground - used for football, cricket and tennis. It has an enclosed play area for younger children and adventure equipment for older ones. There is a river walk and for the more adventurous, a short walk westwards will provide sight of the remains of Costessey Hall. However, be careful not walk too far as the golf course provides the furthermost boundary.
Breckland Park - used for football. There is an enclosed play area for younger children, adventure areas for older ones and a skate park for the really active.
Gunton Lane Recreation Park- a large area of open space and woodland. The River Tud flows through its midst from the Red Bridge in the west to the Black Bridge in the East. There is a specially constructed path for disabled access. Any disabled users who cannot access the ‘kissing gates’ should contact the Parish Council offices for keys to the side gates.
The ‘Cricket’ Ground - West End - Although is now hard to imagine, cricket used to being played here until the turn of the twentieth century This is an area of quiet, natural woodland (mainly oak and rowan) with a central glade.
Walks
Gunton Lane Bridle Way - extending from the Norwich Road in New Costessey, along Gunton Lane, over the Tud at Red Bridge. It runs parallel to Mariott’s Way, finishing at Windwill Lane or Folgate Lane.
Marriott’s Way - Suitable for cycling.
The Marriott's Way originally consisted of two lengths of railwayfrom Themelthorpe to Aylsham and from Themelthorpe to Norwich. These were joined by the so-called 'Themelthorpe Curve' in 1960. The Themelthorpe-Norwich length was built in 1882, as part of a line running to Melton Constableby the Lynn and Fakenham Railway Company which was taken over by the M&GN in 1893. The line was closed as a result of the Beeching Railway cuts in the early 1960s. www.countrysideaccess.norfolk.gov.uk/walk-35e.asp?id=35
Rivers
The River Tud flows from west to east along the whole breadth of the parish - a tributary of the River Wensum. Meandering through Longwater and Gunton Lane Recreation Parks, the river offers a peaceful, contemplative experience where birds and wild flowers can be observed.
The River Wensum boarders the Parish to the north. To the west stands Costessey Weir installed by Anglian Water. This is the site of Costessey Mill that was burned down on the 7th July 1924. (www.norfolkmills.co.uk/Watermills/costessey)
To the east stands Hellesdon Mill where the Tud joins the Wensum.
