Getting out in Suffolk

Getting out in Suffolk is easy! Constable Country has a wealth of good walks and cycle routes. One of the best cycle routes is South Suffolk Cycle Route B, which meanders across tiny lanes and includes some really steep climbs, with beautiful views across the Suffolk valleys. http://www.cycle-route.com/routes/Suffolk-Routes-103.html

There are many scenic tracks – the area is well known for its abundance of footpaths and bridleways, which cover both inland and coastal paths, and offer really enjoyable walks for both the casual rambler and serious walker.

Here are four of our favourites:

Known to us as “Griff’s walk” (as it crosses Griff Rhys Jones’ beautiful home), this is a delightful coastal walk south of the famous Royal Hospital School at Holbrook.  Park your car at the picturesque Stutton church and walk through Griff’s fabulous lawns and wild flower meadows.  Once past his duckpond, you can choose either to go straight ahead, through sheep meadows, or turn right until you meet the sea wall on the river Stour.  It can be gentle or bracing, according to the day!  The views are splendid – looking across to Wrabness in one direction or straight ahead of you are the imposing giant structures of Felixstowe Port’s derricks, and you are often treated to flocks of seabirds flying across as you walk.  When you reach Holbrook creek, you have several choices.  You can either keep left and head back towards the school and the sheep meadows, returning to Griff’s, or you can walk through to the attractive Holbrook Mill; or finally, for the ambitious, continue right round the coastal path to Shotley with its large marina where the Orwell meets the Stour.  Felixstowe docks, Languard Fort Nature Reserve and Trimley marshes are across the Orwell, and the port of Harwich is to the south.  You can board the Harwich, Felixstowe, Shotley foot ferry from here. The coastal path winds along from Shotley to Pin Mill and if you’re lucky, you may spot one of the Suffolk Barges – the Pin Mill barge race is an annual feature.

In the heart of Constable Country, you are spoilt for choice with circular walks around Dedham, Flatford and East Bergholt.  One special walk is highly recommended.  Park the car at East Bergholt Church, close to the birthplace and studio of John Constable.  Walk down Flatford Lane a short distance until you reach Fen Lane – you are now travelling in the very steps which Constable took to Dedham Grammar school each day.  

The largest expanse of water in Suffolk is Alton Water, with an eight mile perimeter.  It offers not only walks, but tracks for cyclists and a variety of water sports.  Enthusiasts can enjoy fishing, birdwatching, cross country cycling, sailing, and even watch the Great East Swim.  There are many little parking spots around the reservoir, together with a main entrance, so you can explore short sections at your leisure if you don’t want to walk the entire eight miles.

The final walk is one we call Tracy’s Walk.  You can park near the waterworks running down from Whalebone Corner in Langham.  Walk over the large bridge and the tiny footbridge over the stream, and where the path splits and runs through meadows, keep straight on.  Follow the track to a T junction and turn left until you reach the B1068.  Dog-leg across and walk up Snowy Lane, a really lovely path which is part of St Edmund Way.  At the top, after walking through a tunnel of trees, Withermarsh Green is to your right – a very pretty hamlet with a large green and thatched cottages.  Keep left and follow the path across farmland, crossing the next lane and bridleway, where you can either go straight ahead towards Stoke by Nayland or turn right to make a circular walk.

Hazel Theobald, Coral’s Barn, Suffolk. http://www.premiercottages.co.uk/cottages/corals-barn.aspx Hazel Theobald, Coral’s Barn