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This is a walk around the villages of Great and Little Waldingfield near Sudbury and should not be confused with the similarly spelt parish of Waldringfield on the banks of the River Deben. The Waldingfield villages lie on what was once Babergh Heath, an area that has given its name to Babergh District Council. With its headquarters at Hadleigh, the council takes its name from one of the old Saxon hundreds that was referred to in the Domesday Survey. Today there is only a Babergh Hall, a Babergh Place and Babergh Heath Farm here to provide a link to the district council's origins and to answer a question that has often even mystified its residents! This walk is quite easy going with no stiles to negotiate and provides an opportunity to visit the churches of the two villages, both of which are unusually dedicated to St. Lawrence. However, it seems that this was an error that occurred in the late 19th century when the dedications were being restored. An inaccurate 18th century source was used when in fact, the medieval dedication of the church at Great Waldingfield was to Mary, and only the dedication at Little Waldingfield to Lawrence. From Little Waldingfield Church turn left along Church Road, passing the old red brick village school on the right and out of the village past the speed de-restriction signs into the countryside. Follow the narrow road to a junction at Archers Farm and turn right on the grass track, marked with a Public Footpath sign. Where the track ends continue on along a well defined field edge path to the right of the hedge and gently downhill. At the end of the field pass over a small footbridge at the corner and then through a gap in a wooden barrier to a path between fences, passing through a small newly planted wood. Cross a brick and earth culvert over the River Box and turn left to follow the field edge path and the river to a metal gate giving access out to the road. Turn right and walk up through Upsher Green and, at a left bend by the last house on the right, turn off right into a field. Follow the field edge path with the hedge on your right to a point where the hedge bears to the right. Continue straight on across the cultivated field ahead heading for a large oak tree on the opposite side, on a path that was well defined at the time of writing. At the oak tree join a narrow lane and turn left, heading in the general direction of Great Waldingfield church that can be seen ahead. At the junction with The Street, by the red telephone box, turn right to reach the church of St. Lawrence, a structure dating back to the 14th century but with alterations by the Rev. Bailey in 1869. Continue on along The Street, walking towards the main road that can be seen ahead on the rise. After about 250 metres from the church and at the bottom of a dip in the road, turn right on a concrete track. Follow the track past a barrier to the sewage works gates and then follow the footpath around the left edge of the fence and around to the right at the rear of the site. Turn left on a path between fences and then right along a ditch to reach a left turn over a brick arch culvert across the stream. Follow the rail fenced path around a paddock to the corner by a metal gate, to join the concrete access drive to Hole Farm. Turn left up the drive to reach the main B1115 at Waldingfield Bridge. Turn right and walk along the road using the roadside verge as much as possible for safety. Just before reaching the speed restriction signs and Little Waldingfield's village sign a roadside footway is provided to continue along The Street. At the junction by the Swan pub turn right to return to the start of the walk at Little Waldingfield church with its solidly built 14th century tower with nave and chancel substantially rebuilt in the late 15th and early 16th centuries. Note the four beheaded saints on the top of the tower, decapitated by Cromwell's men in an act of vandalism during the 16th century. InformationLocation: Little Waldingfield is 16 miles west of IpswichStart: Little Waldingfield Church, Ordnance Survey map reference TL 924451 Length: 3 miles Conditions: Track and field paths, road and roadside footway, 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 west on A1071 to Hadleigh by-pass, then A1141 Lavenham Road to Monks Eleigh, turn off left on B1115 Car Parking: Roadside on Church Road Refreshments: Swan Inn at Little Waldingfield, White Horse Pub and P.O. Stores at Great Waldingfield Public Toilets: None (nearest Sudbury) Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 196 Sudbury, Hadleigh & Dedham Vale Suffolk Country Walks: http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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