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This is a walk around the three villages of Moulton, Gazeley and Dalham, where they have just about everything you could wish for on a good walk. There are three churches, three pubs, historical buildings galore, woodland and river, minimal road walking, fine views over the rolling countryside and an ancient trackway to explore. Moulton is particularly famous for its 15th century Pack Horse Bridge, maintained by English Heritage and on the old Cambridge to Bury St Edmunds packhorse route (there was probably another from Newmarket to Clare). Its low parapet walls enabled the packs to swing clear and avoided the need for a wider, more expensive structure. However, it was probably not used only by packhorses for it is wide enough to allow the passage of small carts. It can still be used to cross the River Kennett, which, although occasionally dry, is still home for the occasional kingfisher. From the village hall walk down past the Kings Head pub to the Packhorse Bridge and right along the path or road on either side of the River Kennett to reach Moulton Church. By the churchyard gate is a map of the local footpaths to check out before embarking on the circuit. The church of St. Peter stands overlooking the village in the valley and is topped with a fine golden fish weathervane. Turn left up through the churchyard to a stile at the rear and up steeply through the trees to a stile at the top. Bear diagonally right across the cultivated field to a stile and, either head for the highest electricity pole that can be seen on the other side, or turn left down the field edge to the Moulton Road. There are some superb views into Cambridgeshire as you cross the field, and the emissions from the sugar beet factory at Bury St. Edmunds can be clearly seen during winter months. Turn right and walk along the road as far as a sharp left bend, keeping straight on along a field edge and then between hedges through the Gazeley Stud to reach the rear of All Saints Church. Bear right past the church and out to the road by the Chequers Pub. The old blacksmith shop still stands in front of the pub at the centre of the village. Turn left and walk down the Higham Road, bearing off right at Tithe Close, following the signed path out to the fields between numbers 25 and 26. The route of this section of the walk uses part of the Icknield Way, a Long Distance path running from Knettishall Heath Country Park to Ivinghoe Beacon in Buckinghamshire. The route was developed with assistance from the Countryside Commission and local authorities and is signed and waymarked with its own distinctive stone axe symbol. Cross the first field to a gap in the hedge and then following a line of electricity poles and field edges into Bluebutton Wood. Look out for the signs of the deer that live in these woods, their distinctive hoof prints can be seen in the damp surface of the path. Continue on the path through Blocksey Wood with occasional field edge sections, through Brick Kiln Wood to emerge along a wide field edge. Continue on down the field edge and up through the trees to reach the drive to Garden House, turn right down the road and up to St Mary's Church, Dalham. As you approach Dalham's St Mary's Church, notice the flint inscriptions around the tower (which stood 40ft higher until a gale tore off the spire on the 3 September 1658 - the day that Oliver Cromwell died). Behind the church is Dalham Hall, formerly owned by Cecil Rhodes. Opposite the church, pass through the metal kissing gate and down through an avenue of Horse Chestnut trees to the road in Dalham village. The picturesque village is dotted with pretty thatched cottages and buildings, including an unusual red brick conical malt kiln at Maltings Farm. Turn left past the malt kiln and right across the first white footbridge. If you want to visit the Affleck Arms for refreshments, continue straight on along the road to the first road junction. Otherwise, follow the path alongside the River Kennett and along field edges to reach the road at Catford Bridge. Turn right across the river then left on a bridleway track. Where the track finishes, continue on the well worn field edge path and through the trees parallel to the river to return to Moulton Church. Continue straight on alongside the river to return to the Packhorse Bridge and left up Bridge Street to return to the start of the walk. Fact FileLocation: Moulton is 4 miles east of Newmarket and 31 miles north east of IpswichStart: Moulton Village Hall, Ordnance Survey map reference TL697645 Length: 6 miles Conditions: Well defined and signed, field edge and cross field, woodland and road. Muddy at times, waterproof footwear is recommended, 6 stiles. How to get there:- Public Transport: Check details with Suffolk County Council's Public Transport Information TraveLine - telephone 0645 583358 Road road: From Ipswich and Bury St. Edmunds on A14 west to the B1506 Newmarket Road. Turn off left at Kentford on the B1085 road to Moulton and left on Bridge Street Car Parking: Moulton Village Hall, on Bridge Street, when not in use Refreshments: Moulton P.O. Stores and Kings Head PH; Gazeley, Chequers PH; Dalham, Affleck Arms PH Public Toilets: None locally Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 210 Newmarket & Haverhill Walking on the web: http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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