Return to EADT Suffolk Walks
|
The riverside town of Woodbridge provides an ideal place to start a walk, with a regular bus and rail service, a trip from Ipswich by public transport provides a good family day out. Even car parking is easy and quite cheap and there are plenty of facilities available to cater for everyone. The walk this month provides a choice of lengths along the River Deben and back through the town. The longer walk (4 miles) is not available at high tide because part of the path is along the beach at Kyson Point, but the shorter walk (3 miles) is available at all times. The walk starts at Woodbridge Station, opened in 1859 when the first trains from Ipswich were able to travel north after difficulties building the track bed at Playford. Cross the railway via the pedestrian bridge over the East Coast Railway line, to the path around the harbour on the other side. Walk to the right along the river wall path, look out across the harbour at the tall white Woodbridge Tide Mill, the only working tide mill in the country, open to visitors from Easter to October. Follow the path through the boat yard and on along the riverside path past the Deben Yacht Club, and on towards Kyson Point. Walk to the end of the surfaced path at the trees where there is a choice of routes as described at A and B below. A. For the main walk, turn right after the wooden posts, up the lane that serves as a drive to Kyson House. Follow the lane back over the high railway bridge and on along the road past the car park, heading towards Sandy Lane. Where the road bends sharply to the left continue straight on along the footpath at the edge of the Woodland Trust wood, marked with a Public Footpath sign, to reach Sandy Lane and the Ipswich Road. B. For an extension to the walk, turn left at the drive, through the wooden posts and down onto the beach. Walk along the wide section of beach and at the wooden railings, bear right on the path around the end of Kyson Point. Follow the path up onto the river wall and inland along the bank of Martlesham Creek. At the head of the creek, at a junction of paths, turn right away from the river up via the sewage works access track to Sandy Lane. Turn right along the road under the railway bridge, taking great care at the bends and narrow sections. Walk up the hill past the 30 m.p.h. signs and down Sandy Hill to reach the Ipswich Road. Turn right along the Ipswich Road on the roadside footway for about 30 metres and cross to a set of steps behind the railings at the end of a brick wall. Follow the path up into the trees and between garden fences and hedges to reach Warren Hill, emerging between Nos 25 and 27. Cross straight over to Portland Crescent leading to Fen Walk, walking down the hill and up to the cemetery. At the end of the road continue straight on along Fen Walk, to the right of black railings. At the first fork bear right on the main track and, where the track turns right at Fen House, continue straight on down the sunken shady tunnel like path between hedges. At the junction of paths, by a chain link fence, continue to the left of the fence, across Fen Meadow and up to the steps leading up to Seckford Street. Turn right on the roadside footway to emerge onto Market Hill at the side of The King's Head. The Shire Hall at the centre was built by the town's main benefactor Thomas Seckford (1515 - 1587), to house the court sessions that were moved from Melton. This event marked the replacement of Wickham Market by Woodbridge as the regional centre. This is a wonderful area to explore, the Suffolk Punch Heavy Horse Museum is housed in the Shire Hall and across the road is the Woodbridge Museum. Walk to the bottom of Market Hill where you will find The Bull Hotel, turn right into Church Street, passing the main entrance to St. Mary's Church, and down to The Thoroughfare, once the main road through the town. Unless you wish to browse in the town centre cross straight over and continue down Quay Street to reach the Riverside Theatre at the start of the walk. Further information and publications about Woodbridge can be found in the Tourist Information Centre, housed in the old station complex. Fact FileLocation: Woodbridge is 8 miles north east of IpswichStart: Woodbridge Railway Station, Ordnance Survey map reference TM 273487 Length: 3 miles or 4 miles Conditions: Tarmac and river wall paths, tracks, roadside footway, some steps but easy walking, no stiles How to get there: - Public Transport: Ideal access by train from Ipswich Station, telephone Anglia Railways - 08700 402020. Also by bus, for details telephone Suffolk County Council's Public Transport Information TraveLine - 08459 583358 By Road: A12 from Ipswich or Lowestoft, follow signs for the railway station Car parking: Plenty of cheap pay and display parking around the area of the station (free on Sunday) Refreshments: A wide range of facilities including a cafe in the station building Public Toilets: Several in town, look for signs Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 197 Ipswich, Felixstowe and Harwich Walking on the web: http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
Map
EADT Suffolk Walks
Home Page
|