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The lovely old village of Debenham is set deep in the heart of Suffolk and takes its name from the River Deben which trickles through the centre of the settlement. It is also said that the founder of the large Ipswich department store also took its name from this place. This is a village of typical picture post card scenes, with many old buildings along the whole of the main street and side roads, and flower filled gardens with secret entrances. From the Cross Green car park opposite the village sign, walk up through the village on the roadside footway, passing the former Ancient Order of the Foresters Chapel that featured as an antiques shop in the Lovejoy TV series. At the junction of Gracechurch Street and the High Street stands the quaint Market Cross, reputedly built in the early 17th century on the site of an earlier Anglo-Saxon cross. In 1668 the first floor was used as the original home of the Sir Robert Hitcham Primary School; the building is now used as offices. After passing the Angel pub, turn right on Water Lane; if the road is flooded continue a little further along the street and turn right after the bridge on a path at the side of the houses. The ford in Water Lane is the bed on the infant River Deben and can become quite deep after heavy rain. At the end of Water Lane continue straight on to the next junction and take the left fork on a narrow lane and then left up the side of the allotments on a wide grass strip to the top of the field. The allotment gardens are also known as Priory Field, this area is said to be the site of an Augustinian Priory which was dissolved by Henry VIII but little supportive evidence has been found. At the top bear right along the edge of the next field to a gap in the hedge and then along the left edge of the next two fields to reach the Kenton Road at Pages Mill. Turn left along the road and walk as far as the first left bend, turning off right on the track through Hill Farm, one of several buildings in the area that was surrounded by a moat in medieval times but no longer evident. When the Tithe Map was drawn, it was known as Hogsty Farm. Follow the track through the farm to the first junction of tracks and turn left along the circular walk, unless taking the short cut to the right. This old track is called Waddlegoose Lane, also known as Waddledickie, the Suffolk dialect for donkey, these quiet green lanes were probably once busy packhorse or drovers routes. The hedgerows of hawthorn, blackthorn and field maple are interspersed with ash, oak and elm, screening the traveller from the surrounding farmland and enclosing the rich and varied plant life. Where Waddlegoose Lane bears off left towards Ashfield-cum-Thorpe, turn right along the farm track and head for Grove Farm. Just before entering the farm turn right again and carry on, via another long green lane, to reach the half timbered Crows Hall Cottages. The oak lined drive to the left leads to Crows Hall, a moated 16th century brick built hall standing close to the public path but not generally open to the public. Turn right at Crows Hall Cottages and follow the narrow road down towards Stradbroke. At a sharp left bend turn off right along a field edge path, following the path all the way around to a gap in the hedge on the far side. This was known as Race Ground Field where horses were put through their paces when the village lamb and horse fair was held. In the next field walk down a grass strip to reach the road, noticing the squat appearance of St. Mary Magdalene Church, which lost its steeple in 1767 after being hit by lightning. Turn right at the road then left by White House to cross the River Deben along Kenton Road to return to the start at the Cross Green car park. Fact FileLocation: Debenham is 11 miles north of Ipswich and 6 miles south of EyeStart: Cross Green car park, Debenham, Ordnance Survey map reference TM 175631 Length: 4 miles Conditions: Good footpaths, tracks and road, no stiles, quite muddy when wet How to get there: Public Transport: For up to date travel information telephone the County Council's Public Transport Information TraveLine - 08459 583358 Road Route: From Ipswich on Westerfield Road and B1077 north to Debenham Car Parking: Free parking on Cross Green car park and other areas within the village Refreshments: There are plenty of pubs, shops, tea shops and takeaways in the village to cater for a wide taste Public Toilets: Little Back Lane Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 211 Bury St. Edmunds & Stowmarket Walking on the web: http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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