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The villages of Great and Little Thurlow are in the upper reaches of the River Stour valley just north of Haverhill and are known collectively as Thurlow. There are many old buildings and things to see here and a booklet has been produced if you wish to thoroughly explore the area (see Information for details). This is an easy walk along the river valley to join the two villages with Little Thurlow Green and Little Bradley and will hopefully whet your appetite sufficiently to get the booklet and find out more about these charming villages. Start at the war memorial at the cross roads in Great Thurlow, noting the former Reading Room with its small clock tower, built for the villagers by WF Smith, son of the famous WH Smith. Cross The Street and walk down to the bridge and ford across the River Stour. Ahead on the right is the parish church of All Saints, with Norman origins the church was restored in 1741, 1880 and 1956. Graffiti found on a pillar depicts archers practising with long bows and is thought to date back to the 14th century. Just after passing Bridge Cottage turn left through a wooden gate into the cemetery and out through a metal gate into a meadow. At the end of the meadow cross a stile to a field edge path leading into the woods ahead. Continue on past a bridge over the river, (turn left for a short cut along The Drift), and a seat. Continue on, soon curving round to the right to reach a field edge. Turn left along the field and around the perimeter of the water treatment plant to join the concrete access track leading out to Broad Road. Turn right up into Little Thurlow Green, passing a small thatched cottage called The Old Inn, formerly the Red Lion pub, and on to a telephone kiosk at the top. Turn left on the footpath leading out to the fields, following the hedge on the right. At the far corner of the field turn left to an oak tree and then right, now following a line of electricity wires along the hedge line. Continue on to join a concrete track leading out to the road at Little Bradley's All Saints church. John Daye, a printer, who died in 1584, is commemorated here in a 19th century stained-glass window. John Foxe who lodged with John Daye, printed the first English edition of Foxe's Book of Martyrs. He was also one of the first to print music. Turn left along the road passing a telephone kiosk, a large black barn and across the river. Turn left along the path between the river and the edge of the crop, heading now for Little Thurlow church that can be seen in the trees ahead. At the corner of the field, follow the path between the river and the cemetery to reach Broad Road. Cross straight over and walk up the path to St. Peter's church. The canopied tomb of Sir Stephen Soame, one time Lord Mayor of London, can be seen inside. Continue through the churchyard to exit via a gap in the fence, turn right and then left on the path between rail fences. Cross a brick footbridge and go through a gate into a meadow and diagonally right to the school on the other side. Pass through a metal kissing gate and out to Bradley Road. Turn left along the roadside footway and over the bridge, past The Olde School, established in 1614 by Sir Stephen Soame. To the right of Olde School note the converted thatched barn sporting a straw Stirling bomber on the apex of the roof, recording damage caused by a crash here in World War II. Continue along The Street, passing a row of four red brick cottages on the right, one of which was once a post office and one a saddler's shop. The Cock Inn has an 18th century facade but was a 17th century coaching inn. Opposite is Manor Farm, the former farm to the manorial hall. Just before reaching Thurlow village hall look out for Chapel House with its own little graveyard by the road. Built in 1835 as a Congregational meeting room, it was enlarged in 1853 and used for a variety of purposes including a bakery. Continue on past the handsome village hall, where a footpath map is displayed on the wall, past the garage and on to the Post Office Stores. This is housed in an old building that was once a general grocers and drapers and is now the centre of the two villages. A little further on and you are back at the starting point at the war memorial and Reading Room car park. InformationLocation: Great Thurlow is 4 miles north of Haverhill and 14 miles south west of Bury St. EdmundsStart: Great Thurlow war memorial Ordnance Survey map reference TL 678502 Length: 3 miles Conditions: Field edge paths, track, road and roadside footway, 1 stile How to get there: - Public transport: For details telephone Suffolk County Council's Public Transport Information TraveLine - 08459 583358 By Road: From Bury St. Edmunds south on A143 and right on B1061 to the centre of Great Thurlow, from Ipswich on A1070 and A134 to Long Melford, then A1092 towards Haverhill, turn north at Sturmer on B1061 to Great Thurlow Car Parking: Great Thurlow war memorial Refreshments: The Cock Inn, Little Thurlow, Village Post Office and Stores in Great Thurlow Public Toilets: None Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 210 Newmarket and Haverhill Information: Walks round the Thurlows booklet available from Village PO and Stores, The Street, Great Thurlow, Suffolk CB9 7LA price £4.95 Internet: Little Thurlow - http://www.littlethurlow.org/ Suffolk Country Walks - http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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