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The River Stour rises just over the Cambridgeshire border in the parish of Weston Green close to the highest point in East Anglia on a disused World War II airfield. There are a number of springs in this area of chalk land to feed the young river as it trickles first north and then turning east across the county boundary into Suffolk at Great Bradley where it splits the village in two. From the Village Hall turn right along the roadside footway, crossing over to the left side before the bend. Walk on past the Millennium Oak, village seat and sign to the junction with Hall Road. On the corner stands the former Fox pub that closed in 1986. Turn left down Hall Road towards the church. On the right is an area of parkland, it is reputed that in Tudor times clay was excavated from the dip to make the bricks used in St. Mary's Church. With a peal of three ancient bells, St Mary's is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, parts of the present structure date from the 12th century. Cross the bridge over the River Stour and note the flow of the river. If it is fast flowing it indicates that water is being pumped from the pumping station at Kirtling Green, taking its water from the River Ouse at Denver. The River Stour then acts as an open pipeline as far as Stratford St Mary where the water is pumped out again to fill the reservoirs of Essex. This is known as the Ely Ouse-Essex Water Transfer Scheme. Continue on the road after the bridge and then left up a concrete track. Stay on this track as it bends to the right and the surface changes to gravel. The track rises towards Bradley Park Wood that can be seen ahead on the top of the rise. At the wood, follow the path as it kinks left and then right to continue with the wood on the right. About halfway along the side of the wood look back for a panoramic view of the village across the shallow Stour Valley. At the end of the wood continue on straight ahead, with a hedge and ditch on the right. At the bottom corner of the field turn left and then right over a plank bridge, following the waymarks. Continue down to the corner of the next field passing the site of the former Horse Pasture Farm that was once situated in the corner of the field. Turn left at the hedge and, after about 50 metres, turn right over a culvert. Turn left again onto a wide grass field edge path with the hedge on the left and a small wood ahead. At the corner of the field pass through a kissing gate into the wood and continue on along the well worn path to reach the junction with Water Lane. Turn right up the lane, passing a small wood on your left. After the wood, the track surface changes to gravel, and bends right past the remains of Longacre Green Farm and then left down to where the track becomes Tarmac. Turn left just before the bridge over the water channel known as Kirtling Brook, and continue walking on the raised bank with the channel to your right. Take great care to keep dogs and children out of the water. At times this can be quite deep and swift when pumping operations are in progress, the possible water level can be seen by the markings on the banks. Look out for the kingfishers, herons and ducks that are frequently seen along here. At the end of the raised bank, descend to cross a concrete ford and continue along the track ahead. Where the Kirtling Brook leaves to your left continue straight on towards the village and cottages ahead. Cross the infant River Stour at the ford via the footbridge at Waterfield Barn and continue up Water Lane to the B1061 road. Turn left on the roadside footway to return to the start at the Village Hall. InformationLocation: Great Bradley is 6 miles north of Haverhill and 14 miles south west of Bury St. EdmundsConditions: Roadside footway, road, track and field edge paths, no stiles, good waymarking How to get there: - Public transport: For details telephone Suffolk County Council's Public Transport Information TraveLine - 08459 583358 By Road: From the A143 Bury St. Edmunds to Haverhill Road turn north at Kedington along the B1061 through the Thurlows to Great Bradley Car Parking: Great Bradley Village Hall (free) Refreshments: Nearest - Cock Inn at Little Thurlow or the Village Post Office and Stores at Great Thurlow Public Toilets: None Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 210 Newmarket and Haverhill Internet: Great Bradley - http://www.great-bradley.suffolk.gov.uk Suffolk Country Walks - http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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