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The name Walsham-Le-Willows conjures up thoughts of a tranquil and ancient village set in the heart of the countryside, and that is precisely what it is. Away from the main roads and exempt from the damaging thunder of modern heavy traffic, Walsham passes the days enjoying its peace and quiet. Designated a conservation area, the picturesque old street with the stream flowing alongside, is dotted with old houses and buildings to fascinate the visitor, the old shops, schools, former public buildings and dwelling houses provide much to be explored. But things were not always peace and tranquillity. It is reported that at an annual gala and fair on 3rd July 1911 an argument about change broke out between the fair people and locals, ending in tragedy. Fair ground rifles were pitted against the locals who went home to collect their own guns, resulting in two being killed, seven receiving bullet wounds and several others injured. But peace has long ago returned and a visit to Walsham-Le-Willows will be a most enjoyable occasion. This is the Orchid Walk, taken from a local booklet of walks (see the Information section for details), and starts from the village hall. Here you will find a map of the walks displayed in the car park and a fine village sign bearing an image of a willow tree. The village takes its name from the Old English Walesam and means Walh's homestead in the willow trees. Turn right out of the car park along the roadside footway, passing the Old Bakehouse, the Old Infants School, Post Office and Congregational Church. At the bends in the main street cross the bridge and take the footway to the right of the stream, between the houses and guard railings. At the end of the railings, by the entrance to Clarkes of Walsham, turn left over the bridge to the road. Cross the street to the track between Lane End Cottage and Clarkes display area. Follow the stony lane up between the houses and on past the last house on the left where the lane becomes a grassy track. Continue on as the track zigzags left and right and on across the fields to a Tee junction of tracks, turn left along the hedge lined Fishponds Lane to reach Summer Road. Turn right for about 200 metres on the road before turning left through a small gate, opposite the entrance to Fishpond Farm. This well kept path is called Procession Way, the land to the right was once part of Shepherd's Grove airfield, opened in 1944 as a Stirling bomber base and later also the launch point for gliders being towed to the Rhine crossings. Just before reaching Ten Acre Wood look out for the former missile store on the other side of the hedge on the left, this is where the Thor missiles were stored during the Cold War years of the 1960s until the airfield closed in 1963. After passing the red brick missile store sentry post, follow the path into the corner of the wood, walking inside the right edge of the wood between fence and hedge. At the far corner of the wood, turn left, still following the path between fence and hedge on the inside of the wood. Continue through two right and left zigzags inside the wood to emerge from the leafy tunnel onto a crossing track. Follow the field edge path known as Felgate Lane straight ahead, walking to the right of the hedge and some large oak trees and down to the bottom corner of the field. Continue straight on through the trees, passing a pond on the left and then alongside a meadow and rail fence to a Rambler Gate. Cross to a stile with a removable top rail and a footbridge over the stream, then turn left on the other side along the shady path through the trees. The path is between the stream and road situated on the other side of the hedge to the right. Walk to the end of this path and through another Rambler Gate to emerge close to a road bridge. Cross to the gate on the other side of the road and a small footbridge and kissing gate to the right giving access to a meadow. Follow the rail fence and stream on the the left to reach a kissing gate at the other end of the field leading out onto the Causeway. Turn left over the road bridge and then up towards the church on the roadside footway, passing Priors Cottage and the Priory Room to reach the crossroads at the centre of the village. The church of St. Mary's stands at the crossroads and is worth a visit. The entrance is uniquely on the north side of the structure and inside you will find a 600 year old hammerbeam roof. Turn right along the street to return to the start of the walk at the Village Hall car park. Fact FileLocation: Walsham-Le-Willows is 23 miles north west of Ipswich and 10 miles north east of Bury St EdmundsStart: Walsham-Le-Willows Village Hall car park, Ordnance Survey map reference TM 000712 Length: 3 miles (short cut on road available) Conditions: Track, woodland, field edge, meadow 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 Car: From Ipswich on A14 to Stowmarket and then north on B1113. One mile north of Finningham turn off left for Walsham-Le Willows, from Bury St. Edmunds north east on A134 and turn off right at Ixworth on the Walsham Road Car Parking: Village Hall car park at west end of village Refreshments: There are two pubs and village shops available Public Toilets: None Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 230 Diss and Harleston Information: Walks To Remember, a locally produced booklet of 5 walks around the village, available from the Post Office price £2 Walking on the web: http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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