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The land locked area bounded by the A12, A140, River Deben and River Waveney is known as The Heart of Suffolk, an area of rolling countryside with valleys and scattered woodland. The village of Fressingfield is in the north of this area and provides the setting for this month's walk. The village centres around the 14th century church dedicated to St. Peter and St. Paul and the timber framed former Guild House, now the Fox and Goose Inn. The Baptist chapel situated along Low Road is unusually built into the shape of a coffin, a reminder that in the midst of life there is death. This walk out into the surrounding countryside is described in a booklet entitled Walking in the Heart of Suffolk (see Information section for details). From the Chapel Close car park turn right and right again along the narrow Victoria Terrace between cottages and allotments. Opposite the church gate turn right down Church Street to Low Road. Turn right and after a few metres turn left across the village stream over a footbridge and uphill along the hedge lined path. At the top follow the path as it continues along the left field edge, then changing to the left of the ditch and down to a culvert over the crossing ditch. Continue uphill across an open field continuing along the left of the hedge following the path as it turns right then left, towards Knight's Farm. As you pass the farm on the left the route crosses a former Roman Road and shown marked on Ordnance Survey maps. Pass into the next field and after a few metres turn diagonally right across the field at the signpost pointing to the hedge on the other side. Keep to the right of the hedge walking towards a pair of cottages ahead. Continue along the track past the cottages and at the end turn left to walk around the hedge and pond at Pinkney's Farm. Follow the field edge right at the end and then left, heading now towards Nunnery Farm on a wide grass track. At the concrete farm drive turn left past the farmhouse to reach the B1116 road. Turn left for about 150 metres using the roadside verge wherever possible and turning right at Cucumber Hall on the path alongside the shingle drive. Keep straight on along the wide grass strip ahead. At the end of the hedge turn right, following another wide grass strip across the field. At the hedge follow the wide grass track round to the left and straight on with the hedge on the right toward Vales Hall. Pass a barn on the left with a good view of the hall to the right and straight on to reach Dale Road. Turn left and walk for about 500 metres to the first turning on the left, marked with a footpath signpost. Turn left and follow the unmarked footpath across the open field to the right of the drive. Head first for a chestnut tree to the left of the buildings ahead and then continue diagonally right across the next field, heading for a gap in the hedge by an oak tree. Pass through the gap and turn left following the hedge on the left down into the valley for 350 metres to the corner. Follow a chain link fence on the left to a footbridge continuing straight ahead uphill to reach a crossing track. Keep straight ahead with the ditch on the left, eventually passing between outbuildings and hedge to reach New Road. Turn left past Priory Lane, the Medical Centre, Methodist Church and Fressingfield Village Stores to reach the junction with the B1116 road. Walk straight on past the village sign along the Framlingham Road and turn left into Church Street, by the village notice board. The village sign depicts a Pilgrim and his donkey representing the pilgrims that once passed through here on their way to Bury St. Edmunds. Walk down Church Street to the church gate and view the red brick and timber rear wall of the Fox and Goose. Return along Victoria Terrace to return to the Car Park at Chapel Close. InformationLocation: Fressingfield is 22 miles north of Ipswich, 8 miles north of FramlinghamStart: Fressingfield's Chapel Close car park, Ordnance Survey map reference TM263773 Length: 4 miles Conditions: Road and roadside footway, field paths and tracks, muddy at times, no stiles How to get there: - Public Transport: For details telephone Suffolk County Council's Public Transport Information TraveLine 0870 6082608 Road Route: From the A12 at Wickham Market north on B1116 through Framlingham and Dennington, and on towards Harleston. In Fressingfield turn right at village pump and war memorial along Low Road, follow signs for free car park Car Parking: Free at Chapel Close car park Refreshments: Fox and Goose and Swan pubs, Fressingfield village stores Public Toilets: None Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 230 Diss and Harleston Information: Heart of Suffolk Walks booklet £2 from bookshops and TICs (ISBN 0860552616) Internet: Heart of Suffolk Walks - http://www.heartofsuffolk.com/hoshtpWalking.html Fressingfield - http://www.onesuffolk.co.uk/FressingfieldPC Suffolk Country Walks - http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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