Hessett walks

An easy walk following Suffolk's River Gipping between Stowmarket and Needham Market.
The river Gipping forms the source to the mighty Orwell River. At Stowmarket it is no more than a babbling stream that winds its way through the Suffolk countryside. The path keeps to the riverside throughout with no difficult obstacles other than styles, making a pleasant stroll between these two places. With some fantastic pubs at either end it makes a good little pub crawl.

A walk following Suffolk's River Gipping between Needham Market and Ipswich.

A riverside walk tracing the route of the River Gipping as it heads through Suffolk to join the tidal waters of the Orwell at Ipswich. A gentle ambling route that twists and turns through the countryside which presents a perfect summers walk.
This is a good walk for summer when the sun is shining and the gentle Gipping River trickles its way through the Suffolk countryside. There are old mills, there are little bridges and old locks which are no more than weirs these days presenting an interesting journey. It is a stereotypical English rural landscape. Admittedly the main A14 is never too far away so there is always the distant moan of traffic but it is easy to forget about this, even more so, I would guess, if one is a townie and used to such noises.

A walk around the Suffolk villages of Eye and Hoxne.
Hoxne is said to be where St Edmund was Martyred by the Viking invaders in the 9th century. The village is full of reminders of the gruesome event including the cross which marks the place of the oak tree his assailants tied him to, beat him, fired arrows at and eventually beheaded and the bridge he reputedly hid trying to escape his captors.

Discover the start of the river Stour, Constable's country

See where the racehorses train and enjoy the panorama of the Cambridgeshire countryside from some of it’s higher points.

Discover the start of Constable's river Stour.

A lovely walk around the Cambridgeshire border.

The historic villages of Wherstead and Freston are great for exploring the unique farmed and estuary landscapes of the Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB. The walks take in Freston Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

On the ‘Wherstead Woodlands’ walk, you can see more ancient woodland, the Stalls Valley, farmland and the villages of Wherstead and Freston.

A walk along the River Stour incorporating sections of the Stour Valley Path, the Essex Way and St Edmund's Way.
Flatford Mill is the idyllic English country scene encapsulated by John Constables renowned paintings including the instantly recognizable 'Haywain'. This circular route is an exceptional walk by all accounts and the perfect way to engross oneself in this landscape that sits on the Suffolk and Essex border.

Short circular walk around heaths and woodlands of Foxhall, Ipswich. A pleasant stroll around the heaths and woodlands around Foxhall, to the east of Ipswich. The walk is short but nonetheless a pleasant way to while a way an hour or two. Natural woodland, babbling stream and if you look very carefully you may even see what remains of Foxhalls All Saints Church

A walk from Earls Colne to Colne Engaine and return, via some unspoiled North Essex countryside. There are a couple of short sections on quiet lanes but for the most part it's fields and woods all the way. Sections of the walk run along the Colne Valley Path and the route never strays far from the River Colne.

This walk gives fantastic views over Alton Water Park. The longer walk leads you to Holbrook Creek and passes through the pretty village of Stutton. A shorter walk visits a nature reserve and the Tattingstone Clifton Wonder, a building designed to deceive!

Located on the Shotley peninsular, the Alton Water Reservoir provides an easy walk around its water. A self contained circular route that needs little in the way of maps. Just keep the water on your right and keep walking! The mixed variety of landscapes of open meadow, woods and even the hills on the northern side of the reservoir provide a constant changing scenery throughout the walk. In all this is a great walk with some pleasing panoramas and ever changing views of the reservoir.

This walk gives fantastic views over Alton Water Park. The longer walk leads you to Holbrook Creek and passes through the pretty village of Stutton. A shorter walk visits a nature reserve and the Tattingstone Clifton Wonder, a building designed to deceive!

A walk across heathland from Martlesham to Rushmere Heath on the eastern fringes of Ipswich
Like most modern towns, Ipswich is suffering from a seemingly endless amount of urban sprawl that envelops the traditional villages that once surrounded it. However, this walk follows heathland that is hidden behind the housing estates all the way from Martlesham through to Rushmere Heath and Ipswich Hospital.

This circular walk through the countryside of Suffolk includes a section alongside the River Orwell. The route takes you inland passing Erwarton Hall and the fine church at Church End to the banks of the Orwell from where you can see Felixstowe Docks. The walk then heads north along the Orwell following the Stout and Orwell Walk.

This walk takes in woodland, farmland, quiet meadows and the River Stour where saltmarsh and mudflats provide habitats for wildlife.

This walk takes in woodland, farmland, quiet meadows and the River Stour where saltmarsh and mudflats provide habitats for wildlife.

This Norfolf walk visits a number of villages with pretty cottages and interesting churches lying to the south-west of Norwich. The route uses quiet country lanes, field paths and ends with a section of the Boudicca Way long distance footpath.

This walk navigates from the village of Trimley down to Kings Fleet and along the banks of the River Deben to Felixstowe Ferry, the setting of an old Black Shuck tale from many years ago which is a feature to this walk. A coastal walk follows, along the seafront of Felixstowe through to the where the River Orwell meets the sea, a strategic point of defence against attacking enemies attempting to sail up the estuary. Key to that defence is Languard Fort which has stood here for many centuries and has played key parts in the world wars of the 20th centuries. A fascinating place to visit with a certain eeriness within its confines.

A Suffolk circular walk that starts from Shotley Gate on the confluence of the Stour and Orswell Rivers. The route offers an interesting insight into the operation of the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich together with a lengthy section of the Stour and Orwell Walk. The walk follows the shore for much of the way but ventures inland via Church End and Erwarton Hall to complete the circuit.

This walk explores the Orwell and Stour estuaries. Enjoy superb views of Harwich Haven and the Port of Felixstowe.

This walk explores the Orwell and Stour estuaries. Enjoy superb views of Harwich Haven and the Port of Felixstowe.

This walk explores the Orwell and Stour estuaries. Enjoy superb views of Harwich Haven and the Port of Felixstowe.

Very quiet lanes with cafe en route. Lovely countryside with rose fields and a number of interesting churches.

A circular walk in a comparatively unspoiled part of mid Essex, between Chelmsford and Braintree. It is particularly suited to being a winter walk as most of the route is on quiet country lanes, surfaced bridleways and grassy field paths, thus avoiding the worst of the Essex mud. It is a good walk for any time of year though, with fine views across open countryside and is, for the most part, devoid of traffic noise.

Reviewed and updated April 2024

A circular walk around the small Essex town of Great Dunmow.
With plenty of historic buildings, a fine 13th century church, some great pubs and a fantastic Indian Restaurant this provides any visitor a taste of this ancient town. The walk is simple and easy and one cannot visit Dunmow without discovering the interesting history of the Dunmow Fitch which is the main feature to this walk.