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| This month our journey leads us across the county to the north west, an area known as the Brecklands or Brecks, and the town of Mildenhall. The name of this town is well known to many because of the nearby airbase and you are quite likely to hear the roar of the jet engines as you walk around. The River Lark, was once navigable from Bury St Edmunds to the Great Ouse at Ely from 1750 to around 1900. The river flows through the edge of the town and provides us with a super stroll along the former tow paths, past the locks and over low lying water meadows to the adjoining village of Barton Mills. From the King Street car park turn right to the Mildenhall Museum. Turn left along Market Street to the market square where the Parish Pump and Market Cross remind us of the rich history of the town. Turn left on High Street, here there are former coaching inns with evidence of the arches that once allowed access to the stables at the rear. Turn right on Church Walk, passing the mediaeval Church of St Mary. The buildings around the churchyard are worth a visit, old almshouses renovated by the Mildenhall Round Table, The Priory which was once the Parish Workhouse and other interesting cottages. Continue straight on along the road section of Church Walk, parts of which still retain the old walls, to reach Wamil Way at the end. Turn left and, where the road bends right into Riverside Close, continue straight on towards the river. At the next bend turn off left through a staggered barrier leading to a path between fence and trees alongside the Mildenhall Cricket Field. At the water's edge you join the Lark Valley Path, turn left to cross a footbridge over the mill steam and along the riverside path to the Mill Street Bridge carrying the Worlington Road. Turn up left before going under the bridge, on reaching the road turn right and cross the river on the roadside footway. On the other side turn left on a driveway to return to the river side footpath. The old locks in this area remind us of the river's golden age, more information and historic photographs are available in the museum. At the first footbridge over the river there is a short-cut back to the start if required. Follow the tow path past the end of the footbridge and then turn right away from the river where the footpath leads across the water meadows conservation area to Barton Mills. When you emerge at the road continue straight on along the roadside footway into the village. Follow the road round to the left along The Street, passing the mediaeval church of St Mary, the Bell public house and village post office. Just after this point there is a plaque on the left side of the road at the entrance to 'The Dhoon' inscribed 'This house was the country home of Sir Alexander Flemming FRS the discoverer of penicillin from 1921 to 1955'. There are several old cottages, houses and former business premises along this section, intermixed with modern additions to make it an interesting street to explore. Continue on past the Baptist Free Church to the end of The Street and turn left by Mill House on Old Mill Lane to the bridge where further evidence of the old navigation can be found. At the end of the white railings turn left onto the former tow path, following the riverside walk through woodland and the edge of the playing fields back to Mildenhall. Along the gentle bends of the river many interesting plants and birds can be seen, a number of information boards are provided to advise on the wildlife that can be found. In the summer months plants like the yellow flag iris grow in the shallow margins of the river and the purple loosestrife with purple flower spikes provide a splash of colour to the scene. After passing the end of the footbridge over the upper level of the river, turn right up the fenced path towards the town centre and the start of the walk at King Street. Fact FileLocation: Mildenhall is 12 miles northwest of Bury St Edmunds, 39 miles from IpswichStart: King Street car park Ordnance Survey map reference TL 711743 Length: 31/2 miles (short cut available) Conditions: Road, surfaced and unmade paths, riverside, parts 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 By Road: From Ipswich A14 west, at first interchange after Bury St Edmunds, follow the B1106 and A1101, signposted into Mildenhall. Turn left at the war memorial into King Street Car Parking: Free car parks at the end of King Street Refreshments: Plenty of pubs, shops, restaurants and other services in the town Public Toilets: Adjacent to King Street car park Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 226 Ely and Newmarket Information: Mildenhall Museum (closed January and February) Walking on the web: http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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