Down the Blyth Valley in Pursuit of Black Shuck
Departure from Halesworth (Suffolk)
A walk down the Blyth Valley in Suffolk from Halesworth to Blythburgh, then across the heaths and commons to Leiston. It was the legendary hell hound that supposedly came this way in 1577 and terrified parishioners of Blythbrugh church after doing a similar job at Bungay.
East Suffolk Line - The Yox Blyth
Departure from Halesworth (Suffolk)
A walk along the East Suffolk Line Trail between Halesworth and Darsham. Great views are to be had along the Blyth valley before footpaths head over to the Yox valley. The village of Bramfield is at the half way point where is an old pub for refreshments as well as a distinctive church with a detached tower and a fine example of a Crinkle Crankle Wall, not to mention the legendary Bramfield Oak.
Suffolks Mystery Brampton Standing Stone
Departure from Halesworth (Suffolk)
A walk between Halesworth and Beccles along the East Suffolk Line Path.
This waymarked route links the railway stations at Halesworth, Brampton and Beccles. Taking the train between these towns will provide an interesting glimpse of what is in store along the walk, including the rather curious Belle Grove Farm looking as if it is out of some fantasy movie and the mysterious Brampton Standing Stone just south of Brampton Station.
In search of the lost Suffolk village of Hethern
Departure from Dunwich (England)
A walk through Dunwich forest to the medieval site of the lost village of Hethern.
Dunwich forest is always a good place to walk and find peace amid the fora, fauna and wildlife. There are information boards that provide details of this ever changing world of nature but there is nothing about its history. Little is known of the medieval village of Hethern or the landmarks of Stonehill Bridge and Stonehill Castle which are recorded in the 15th century Westleton Extents. This document records that they stood aside a now lost road directly linking Dunwich to Blythburgh and which cut across the marshes.
Around the Marshes
Departure from Walberswick (Suffolk)
Explore a mosaic of unique landscapes including reedbed, woodland, heathland, marsh and shingle coast, which sustain a large diversity of wildlife
Walberswick Wander
Departure from Walberswick (Suffolk)
Wander around Walberswick with its river, heath and marshes, or take a longer walk to Dunwich.
Marshes, Coast and Forest
Departure from Walberswick (Suffolk)
Wander around Walberswick with its river, heath and marshes, or take a longer walk to Dunwich.
Saxmundham, Kelsale and Carlton
Departure from Saxmundham (Suffolk)
A walk around Saxmundham, Kelsale and Carlton. Using footpaths an country lanes, this short walk provides some fine views, historic churches and even a ghostly tale of an apparition of phantom dancers. A worthy candidate for an afternoons exploration of this hidden corner of East Suffolk.
Through the Garden of Suffolk
Departure from Saxmundham (Suffolk)
A walk between Saxmundham and Darsham along the East Suffolk Line Walk.
It is Yoxford that gives us the name of this walk which is part of the East Suffolk Line Walks and this specific ramble extends the line walk to return to Leiston where a regular bus service connects the two ends. Yoxford sits on the banks of the River Yox surrounded by three country house parks; Sibton Park that contains large well stocked fishing lake; Grove Park situated in the village; and Rookery Park on the Leiston road. This has earned Yoxford the name of the 'Garden of Suffolk'. The whole route of this walk is a pleasant amble through the rural fields of Suffolk with a return journey through the pretty country lanes following the Minsmere river through to Middleton, Theberton and finally Leiston.
Tales of Sundials, Witchcraft and Ghostly happenings in Saxmundham
Departure from Saxmundham (Suffolk)
A circular walk around the Suffolk town of Saxmundham using the Town Trail that can be added onto the East Suffolk Line Walks or to while away a couple of hours on a lazy afternoon, including searching out the unique tombstone sundial in St Johns churchyard, and finding the haunted Monks Cottages.
Exploring the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB around Aldeburgh
Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
A walk between Aldringham and Aldeburgh through the Suffolk Coastal Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. (AONB) There is a variety of differing scenery along this route, gentle hills around Aldringham, boardwalks across the marshes at The Fens, a walk along the old Aldeburgh railway and an estuary walk along river defences of the Alde. With such treasures as the pretty little church at Aldringham, tucked away in the trees and away from civilisation and the magnificent church of St Peter and St Paul at Aldeburgh, there is plenty to see and explore.
In Search of Leiston's Ancient Pagan Sites, the Procession Rayles & Gallows
Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
A walk following the western parish boundary of Leiston in Suffolk, as described in a document from the middle-ages.
This walk attempts to follow the instructions of a perambulation around the western side of the Leiston Parish boundary that was undertaken in the year AD1620. Leiston's history is renowned for its Abbey and the Garret's works, but this walk also discovers the site of a possible ancient pre-Christian shrine or temple, the location of the Leiston gallows and the procession route taken by those attending this gruesome public spectacle.
Saxmundham to Rendham
Departure from Saxmundham (Suffolk)
Circular Walk between Saxmundham and the village of Rendham, across the Suffolk countryside with a worthy stop off at the White Horse pub at Rendham. Woodland, open fields, babbling brooks make this typical of this part of Suffolk. And there is history too, with the Roman bronze head being discovered in the river at Rendham back in 1907. How did it get there?
Through the Woods on Kenton and Goose Hills
Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
An easy circular walk through the woodland around Sizewell on the Suffolk Coast. Simple walk with many alternatives using the myriad tracks and paths through Kenton Hill woodland.
Suffolk is not best known for its hills and Kenton Hill and Goose Hill probably would not be regarded as hills but for their name. However, this wooded area offers an ever changing scenery throughout the year with the mixture of conifer and broad leafed trees, flora and fauna and a variety of wildlife. There is also a viewing platform overlooking the Minsmere marshes
A Country Amble between Leiston and Saxmundham
Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
A walk across the Coastal Suffolk landscape between Leiston and Saxmundham.
This walk searches out footpaths to connect the neighbouring towns of Leiston and Suffolk. Although there is no direct route, the paths chosen are certainly more conducive to the walker than the busy road route. With the churches of Leiston and Knodishall on the route, plus the mysterious Harris's Pit in the parish of Sternfield there is enough to interest the avid rambler. Sternfield also has the notoriety of being the village from which the last woman to be burnt at the stake in England came.
In Search of Leiston Gibbet, Friday Market Heath and St Andrews Green
Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
This walk follows an investigation to seek out the location of the Leiston Gibbet and an area of heathland that was known in the 1600's as Friday Market Heath. The only reference to these places comes from an old book from 1910 entitled 'The Chronicles of Theberton' which details the route past the gibbet. This walk attempts to retrace this route by navigating along the heathland and footpaths around the River Hundred which marks the boundary between the hundreds of Blything and Plomestead. Extensive research which has been undertaken and documented in the feature of this walk with some revealing insights to long forgotten places.
The Alde Valley - Leiston to Wickham Market
Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
A walk along the East Suffolk Line Path between Leiston and Wickham Market
Although the official route for the East Suffolk Line Path links the stations at Saxmundham and Campsea Ashe, this provides an alternative route using the local bus service to link the two ends. Highlights along the route include the picturesque Beversham Mill and the legendary Blaxhall Stone which is said to progressively grow in size.
In Search of the ruins of Leiston Abbey
Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
A circular walk around Leiston and Eastbridge in Suffolk. Leiston Abbey was originally founded in the late 12th century by Ranulf de Glanville. The original building was constructed on an island in the Minsmere marshes. Two centuries later, due to the inhospitable conditions on the marsh and constant flooding the Abbey was moved inland, lock stock and stone to a site close to Leiston. Despite a great fire in 1367 and much demolition following the dissolution of the monasteries there still remains some impressive ruins. There is still a remnant of the old Abbey, with the former chapel building sitting in its island position above the marsh, decaying into the landscape and containing a WWII pill box. This walk visits both sites making a well worthwhile walk.
Tracks and lanes to Glemham
Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
A route that can be either walked or cycled through the Suffolk countryside around Snape, Blaxhall and Glenham. It goes through the Suffolk countryside using a mixture of lanes, tracks, bridleways and little used country roads. This can be either walked or cycled and provides a full days outing taking in the picturesque villages of Snape, Blaxhall, Little Glemham, Great Glemham and Benhall which these days is split into two with the A12 separating Benhall Low Street from Benhall Green. Along the route is the Parham Airfield Museum, although this is only open on Sundays between April to October.
Leiston to Westwood Marsh
Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
A walk encompassing the Westwood Marshes footpath into a circular route from Leiston.
The Westwood Marshes footpath is little gem of a path that links the Newdelight Walks with the Suffolk Coast Path through the Westwood marshes. The route for this walk uses this path as the ultimate destination from Leiston but shorter alternatives to include this path are also detailed.
More walks in Thorington
Discover also walks in surrounding cities:
- Aldeburgh
- Aldringham cum Thorpe
- All Saints and St Nicholas, South Elmham
- Badingham
- Barsham
- Benacre
- Benhall
- Blaxhall
- Blyford
- Blythburgh
- Bramfield
- Brampton with Stoven
- Bruisyard
- Bungay
- Chediston
- Cookley
- Covehithe
- Cransford
- Cratfield
- Darsham
- Dunwich
- Earsham
- East Suffolk
- Ellough
- Farnham
- Flixton
- Friston
- Frostenden
- Gisleham
- Great Glemham
- Halesworth
- Henstead with Hulver Street
- Heveningham
- Holton
- Huntingfield
- Kelsale cum Carlton
- Kessingland
- Knodishall
- Leiston
- Linstead Magna
- Linstead Parva
- Little Glemham
- Marlesford
- Metfield
- Middleton
- Mutford
- North Cove
- Parham
- Peasenhall
- Redisham
- Rendham
- Reydon
- Ringsfield
- Rumburgh
- Rushmere
- Saxmundham
- Shadingfield
- Shipmeadow
- Sibton
- Snape
- Sotherton
- Sotterley
- South Cove
- Southwold
- Spexhall
- St Andrew, Ilketshall
- St Cross, South Elmham
- St James, South Elmham
- St John, Ilketshall
- St Lawrence, Ilketshall
- St Margaret, Ilketshall
- St Margaret, South Elmham
- St Michael, South Elmham
- St Peter, South Elmham
- Sternfield
- Stratford St Andrew
- Swefling
- Theberton
- Ubbeston
- Uggeshall
- Walberswick
- Walpole
- Wangford with Henham
- Wenhaston with Mells Hamlet
- Westhall
- Westleton
- Weston
- Willingham St Mary
- Wissett
- Wrentham
- Yoxford