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The River Stour flows along the west side of Sudbury, marking the join between the edge of the town and the open countryside. Across the river lies an area known as The Common Lands, some 100 acres of pasture first mentioned by name during the twelfth century. In the thirteenth century the areas known as Portmanscroft and King's Marsh were given to the town for the sum of "Forty shillings of silver" to be paid annually on the Feast of St. Michael. Today the meadows and the dismantled railway track provide a wonderful place to stroll along the river and gain access to a network of footpaths that act as a gateway to the wider countryside. From the rear of the Kingfisher Leisure Centre car park walk to the start of the Valley Walk and right along the bed of the old railway track. Just keep walking, over bridges at The Quay, across the River Stour and the A131 Ballingdon Street. Sudbury was the head of navigation on the River Stour, the Stour Navigation being established by Act of Parliament in 1705. The Company flourished, carrying local produce to the seaports of Manningtree and Mistley and imports such as coal and other goods to the villages along the river. In 1849 the railway opened in competition and income from the navigation fell to £2000, by 1869 it was down to £100 and the last dividend of 1½d was paid to shareholders in 1890. In 1913 the Navigation Company was wound up and all that is left today are the disused locks and quays along river. Navigation is still legally possible but this can only be achieved by portage around the many obstacles that prevent passage. Although the railway from Colchester now terminates at Sudbury, the line was once a through route to join the London to Cambridge line at Shelford with a branch line from Long Melford to Bury St Edmunds. The first train to Sudbury ran from Colchester on 2nd July 1849, becoming part of the Eastern Counties Railway in 1860 and part of the Great Eastern Railway Company in 1862. In 1866 there were 3 trains each way on weekdays between Sudbury and Bury St. Edmunds rising to 6 each way from 1914 to the 1950s. Pass under two red brick bridges to the point where a Bridleway crosses the track. The walk can be extended at this point to continue along the railway walk to Rodbridge Picnic Site if required. Otherwise turn right and follow the Stour Valley Path to Brundon Mill along a track between wire fence and hedge. At the mill bear right, along the front of the pink Mill Cottages and right at the gate of Brundon Hall, following the garden wall to a kissing gate leading to the meadows. Walk across the grass to a footbridge and then on to the right of an old wartime blockhouse to a concrete and steel footbridge at the Salmon Leap. The weir and Salmon Leap were constructed as part of a programme in the 1960s to introduce Salmon and Sea Trout into the river. There was some small initial success, but the idea was largely unsuccessful and abandoned. Cross the next section of grass to a kissing gate at the edge of the river. Look across the water, by a footbridge, to see the old Edwardian Bathing Place, a concrete semicircular edging with steps down to the water and a guard rail that have been quite well preserved. Walk along the riverside path to The Croft footbridge and along the river edge, past the boating pond and across a sluice gate to reach the Mill Hotel. The mill wheel can still be seen inside. At the corner of the old mill turn right through a kissing gate onto Freemans Meadow, heading diagonally left across the grass to a footbridge over the lower level of the river. After crossing the bridge bear left to a kissing gate in the far corner of the meadow to continue on along the track past the old 1903 pumping station. Just before reaching the road turn right up the railway embankment and, at the top, turn left and follow the railway path back to the start of the walk at the Kingfisher Leisure Centre. Walk Fact FileLocation: Sudbury is 19 miles west of IpswichStart: Sudbury Kingfisher Leisure Centre, Ordnance Survey map reference TL 876410 Length: 3 miles Conditions: Track, meadow and riverside path, no stiles How to get there: - Public transport: Ideal access by train or bus, for details telephone Suffolk County Council's Public Transport Information TraveLine 08459 583358 Road Route: From Ipswich A1071 and A134 to Sudbury Town Centre, then follow signs for the Leisure Centre and Railway Station Car Parking: Plenty of free car parks around the area of the Leisure Centre and Station Refreshments: Plenty of facilities in the town to suit all tastes Public Toilets: At Bus Station and Gaol Lane Information: Information boards at various points around the walk. Tourist Information Centre at the Town Hall, Market Hill. Railway Walks leaflet published by Suffolk County Council price 20p Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 196 Sudbury Hadleigh and Dedham Vale Walking on the web: http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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