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This month we are setting off for the south west corner of Suffolk to visit the parish of Kedington, a village nestling in the upper part of the Stour valley and close to Haverhill. The paths between here and Haverhill are all well walked and maintained thus ensuring they are usually in good condition. However at certain times of the year the summer growth may become long and some paths a little muddy in wet weather. The first section of the route along the river valley is on the Stour Valley Path and starts from the church of St. Peter and St. Paul. Cross the road and walk down Church Walk past the primary school. The avenue of alternate chestnut and lime trees provides a fine route to the lower village and emerges out onto West End Lane. Turn right to pass the village sign and Kedington Stores. References to Ketton abound in this area including Ketton House, it was the former name of Kedington. Continue on to the bridge over the River Stour. If the water is flowing swiftly you are witnessing the remarkable use made of the river to channel water from the Little Ouse at Ely down to the pumping station at Stratford St. Mary for onward movement into Essex. If the water is quiet of course, the pumps are not in operation and will show the true flow of the river. On the other side of the bridge take the lane to the left of the Barnardiston Arms pub. The family seat of the Barnadiston family was Kedington Hall, once situated to the rear of the church but demolished about 1790. They flourished in this area for over 30 generations and a local village is named after them. Follow this lane on past the football field, where the Tarmac ends continue on to join a field edge path. Opposite Cotton Hall and before a footbridge on the left, turn right up across the field on a well defined crop break strip. At the top of the hill and before the electricity pole turn and look back over the landscape for a wonderful view of the upper Stour valley and the village. Continue on to the other side of the field onto the access drive of Eastcotts Farm Cottage and on past the farm to the B1061 road at Calford Green. Cross straight over along the concrete track through the green, where the track runs out at The Old Chapel continue straight on along a wide grass strip between the raised field and a hedge. At the end of the grass bear right following the ditch to the corner of the field. Cross the ditch via a twin railway sleeper bridge and turn left down the field edge following the ditch on the left. Follow the field edge around to the right at the bottom to the next corner and then bear off left on the track through the trees. At the end of the wood turn left on the track uphill to the tree line at the top marking the boundary of the outskirts of Haverhill. Pass through the tree line and turn right along a stony crossing track. At the end of the trees turn right on the drive to Great Wisley Farm, following the track down and then up past the farm complex on the left. At the other side of the farm bear right on the clearly defined grassy field edge track, heading now straight towards Kedington, on the top of the rise Kedington Church will come into view ahead. At the end of the grass strip continue across a twin railway sleeper bridge and then a crop break strip in the next field, downhill to the houses and out to the road by a telephone kiosk. Turn left and then right into Mill Road, walking on the roadside footways past School Road and straight on towards the river. Cross the river by Kedington Mill where a plate on the wall reads 'A water mill on this site 1066 listed in the Domesday Book. Present mill rebuilt 18th century, ceased working 1901, restored 1970'. Continue up the hill on the roadside footway to return to the start of the walk at the church. The parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul stands on guard overlooking the valley and its unusual features are well worth a visit. Fact FileLocation: Kedington is 3 miles north east of Haverhill, 31 miles from IpswichStart: Kedington Church, Ordnance Survey map reference TL 705470 Length: 4 miles Conditions: Well defined field paths, tracks and roadside footway, could be muddy in wet weather, no stiles How to get there: - Public Transport: For details telephone Suffolk County Council's Public Transport Information TraveLine - 08459 583358 Road Route: From Bury St. Edmunds on A143 turn off left before Haverhill. From Ipswich and Colchester via Long Melford turn off on A1092 and A1017 to Sturmer. Turn right on B1061 to Kedington Car Parking: Lay by opposite Kedington Church or on street parking in village Refreshments: Local pubs and shops Public Toilets: None Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 210 Newmarket & Haverhill Walking on the web: http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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