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This month's walk has much to interest lovers of both history and natural scenery. We are off out from the village of Trimley St. Martin, close to Felixstowe, and heading south over the railway onto the high ground overlooking the River Orwell. Trimley's most famous resident was Thomas Cavendish, an Elizabethan adventurer born in 1560, he was the second Englishman to circumnavigate the world, bringing back cargoes of booty, but lost at sea in 1592. But more of him later, let's just get started on the walk. At the Trimley St. Martin Memorial Hall you will find a map on the wall describing a series of walks in the area, these are also published in a leaflet produced by the Parish Council. We are going on the yellow route so turn left along the High Road and walk northwest towards Ipswich on the roadside footway. Pass the Hand in Hand pub, the Methodist Church with its mini spire and on as far as the Seamark Nunn boatyard. This was once a woodyard and formerly a brick works, Boat Cottages to the left were the former Boat Pub. Turn left opposite the yard, marked with a sign advising that the River Orwell is 1 mile, walking between fences to eventually cross the railway line via a pair of stiles. Follow the well defined path across the field on the other side to reach a track, continue straight on ahead, passing a fishing lake to the right. The pits in this area are the remains of the Copralite excavation workings, the forerunner of the local fertilizer industry that originally ground up the fossilized dinosaur dung or Copralite. Continue straight on along Gosling's Track through the hamlet of Thorpe Common, this is where it is reckoned that the last recorded outbreak of Bubonic plaque in Britain occurred in 1918. Continue on through the other side of the farm buildings, looking down to the right in the valley bottom to see the roof of the former waterworks that once pumped water up to the prominent Felixstowe water tower. On reaching the gate ahead turn left on a track between young trees, in the gaps between the trees are superb views over the river to Shotley and even to Harwich beyond. At the end of the track at Trimley Lower Street turn right to reach Alston Hall then turn left by a black cart shed, on a grassy track between the trees. At the outbuildings and stables of Grimston Hall turn left on a field edge path, marked with a wooden footpath sign. At the corner of the field continue straight on between fences to the right side of the houses to reach the access road. Turn right and walk as far as the first right bend. From here Grimston Hall can be seen at the end of the drive beyond the large oak tree, although not the original house, Thomas Cavendish lived here and probably used the local wood to build his ships. Turn left away from the hall on the track through the fields and, at the corner of a new plantation, turn right to follow the track to the new dock railway line. Cross via the self closing gates at the side of the metal gates, taking great care to Stop, Look and Listen for approaching trains coming round the bend from either direction. Follow the track on the other side, bearing left on to Gun Lane at the first junction and heading through the fields towards the village. Walk along the lane to the High Road, noting the twin towers of the Trimley churches in the trees to the right. At the end of the lane look out for an old French cannon, now set in the surface at the corner to act as a bollard, and probably brought back by the sailors. Turn left along the roadside footway, passing Reeve Lodge on the left with a peace memorial sign just inside the grounds. This was erected to celebrate 50 years of peace and unveiled on 9th September 1995 by local ex-service personnel. Continue on along the roadside footway around the roundabout to reach the village sign on the corner of St. Martin's Green. The sign depicts Thomas Cavendish with a plate below displaying words attributed to him that read 'My God, whatever may befall, I shall ever love dear Trimley and the oaks of Grimston Hall. Continue on to return to the start at the Memorial Hall across the road. Fact FileLocation: Trimley St Martin is 8 miles southeast of IpswichStart: Trimley St. Martin Memorial Hall, Ordnance Survey map reference TM 274374 Length: 3 miles (various short cuts) Conditions: Well defined paths, good tracks and road, 2 stiles, muddy when wet How to get there: - Public transport: Access by train or bus, for details telephone Suffolk County Council's Public Transport Information TraveLine - 08459 583358 By Road: A14 from Ipswich to the Trimley Interchange, follow signs for The Trimleys and at the next roundabout turn right on High Road to the Memorial Hall on the left Car Parking: Free car parking at Trimley St. Martin Memorial Hall Refreshments: Hand in Hand Public House plus local shops and another pub in Trimley St. Mary Public Toilets: None (nearest in Felixstowe) Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 197 Ipswich,Felixstowe and Harwich Information: Walks round Trimley St. Martin (20p) available from local outlets or Suffolk County Council Walking on the web: http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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