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The village of Witnesham stands at the place where the B1077 road south from Debenham once forded the little River Fynn before continuing on through Westerfield to the markets of Ipswich. At the start of the walk by a bus shelter stands the village sign depicting three pigs behind a gate, reflecting the agricultural nature of the area. The sign was designed and unveiled by the late Carl Giles, well known cartoonist and former village resident. Witnesham takes its name from Witta's or Wittin's meadow and a section of this walk passes through the delightful pastures bordering the River Fynn. There may be cattle in the fields and dogs should be kept on a lead or under close control at all times. The route is marked throughout with special green circular walk signposts and yellow circular walk waymark arrows and is therefore very easy to follow, even without a map. From the village sign and bus shelter turn right down The Street on the roadside footway to the war memorial and old village well. Turn right up Hall Lane, bearing left along the lane lined with houses. At the end of the Tarmac surface continue on to a metal gate and pass through the heavy metal kissing gate to the left. Follow the rough track in the pasture, along the hedge on the right. Before passing through the first gateway, note the large tree leaning over the path from the right. This is fine example of the less well known Black Poplar, a tree that is indigenous to the eastern counties. Note the rough bark, looking almost hand carved. Continue through 2 more gateways to the end of the hedge and then bearing left across the grass to a gate in the corner of the field. Notice the raised banks in the grass that define the old route of Hall Lane leading to Witnesham Hall. On the other side of the gate is a ford across a tributary of the River Fynn, cross via the stile and footbridge to continue along the tree lined lane. At the junction with Church Lane look left through the gateway to see Witnesham Hall, dating from the 16th century, the timber framing now encased in red brick. Turn right along Church Lane, passing the parish church of St. Mary's and the former school, now used as the village hall. A series of stones set in the wall provides a potted history of the building that started life as a National School built from voluntary subscription in 1810. The walk can be started from the car park here if preferred. At the B1077 road there is an opportunity to short cut along the roadside footway to the right over America Hill to the Barley Mow and the car park at the start. Cross the main road to Wash Lane, from here to the ford the lane is often flooded, the stream running down the roadside after periods of rain, although it is usually only a trickle or dry. Use the footbridge at the ford if necessary and continue on up the lane, past the entrance to Whitehouse Farm and then on to a junction. Take the right fork up towards Burnt House Farm and, at the entrance gate, turn right on a field edge path. After about 100 metres where the path bears left through the hedge, turn sharp right on a crop break strip across the field, starting by an electricity pole. At the hedge on the other side, follow the path on the right of the hedge, through to the next field and continuing on down to the corner at the rear of the Barley Mow pub. Look up to the left to see the red brick Red House Farm that dates from about1450, mostly in its present form. Pass through the kissing gate and along the path at the side of the pub to reach Mow Hill. The Barley Mow Inn has been established as pub on this site since 1766 and is well worth a visit. Turn left and cross to the roadside footway to return to the start and the car park. InformationLocation: Witnesham is 4 miles north of IpswichStart: The village car park by the village sign, Ordnance Survey map reference TM 184502 Length: 2½ miles Conditions: Pasture, track, field edge and road, muddy across fields in wet weather, 1 stile. Wash Lane may be flooded after heavy rain How to get there: - Public Transport: For details telephone Suffolk County Council's Public Transport traveline - 0870 608 2 608 Road Route: From Ipswich north on B1077 through Westerfield Car Parking: Free in the centre of village, also off Hall Lane and at the village hall on Church Lane Refreshments: Barley Mow pub, Witnesham Post Office Public Toilets: None Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 211 Bury St. Edmunds and Stowmarket Information: Countryside Walks leaflet describing the route is available from Suffolk County Council, 20p + s.a.e or from Tourist Information Centres
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