Route details, maps, pubs, features, local history and folklore for a wide variety of walks focusing primarily on Norfolk and Suffolk

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Showing posts sorted by relevance for query Halesworth. Sort by date Show all posts

Sunday 6 February 2022

Wednesday 8 June 2022

Sunday 13 January 2019

East Suffolk Line Walk - The Yox Blyth Walk

Mells village

A 10 mile walk along the East Suffolk Line Trail between Halesworth and Darsham

Great views are to be had along the Blyth valley before footpaths head over to the Yox valley. The village of Bramfield is at the half way point where is an old pub for refreshments as well as a distinctive church with a detached tower and a fine example of a Crinkle Crankle Wall, not to mention the legendary Bramfield Oak.

Thursday 28 November 2019

A Walk to Suffolks Mystery Brampton Standing Stone

A 14 mile walk between Halesworth and Beccles along the East Suffolk Line Path

This waymarked route links the railway stations at Halesworth, Brampton and Beccles. Taking the train between these towns will provide an interesting glimpse of what is in store along the walk, including the rather curious Belle Grove Farm looking as if it is out of some fantasy movie and the mysterious Brampton Standing Stone just south of Brampton Station.

Saturday 12 January 2019

Down the Blyth Valley in Pursuit of Black Shuck

River Blyth near Halesworth

An 18 mile walk down the Blyth Valley in Suffolk from Halesworth to Blythburgh, then across the heaths and commons to Leiston.

It was the legendary hell hound that supposedly came this way in 1577 and terrified parishioners of Blythbrugh church after doing a similar job at Bungay. This walk is in two sections, the first section follows the River Blyth along the Waveney Way to Blythburgh with the option to continue on to Southwold. The Waveney Way is a Ramblers Association walk and does not have waymarkers along the route. An optional second section cuts across to Westleton and onto Leiston. Both Southwold and Leiston have public transport links to Halesworth making the walk achievable as a linear route without the requirement of assistance of a taxi.

Sunday 10 December 2017

Southwold to Blythburgh along the former Southwold Railway

Blythburgh

A linear walk along the former trackbed of the Southwold Railway to Blythburgh

The Southwold Railway was a narrow gauge line that linked Halesworth and Southwold. This closed in 1929 but the track bed is still in existence to Blythburgh and makes an excellent walk. The White Hart pub offers a place for refreshment before returning along the same route. Outstanding views across the Blyth estuary and easy walking across heath and woodland make this a well worthwhile excursion.

Saturday 11 May 2019

In Search of Polsborough Gate

track to Aldeburgh Road

A 9.5 mile walk following the old Snape Road to the Sailors Path

This walk links Leiston with the Sailors Path following the old traditional road that used to link the town with Snape. There is then an outstanding ramble across Black heath and Hazlewood marshes through to Aldeburgh where a regular bus service links back with the start. Along this route was what in the 1700s was known as Polsborough Gate, a landmark whose position and derivation is unknown but with a little research some information about it can be determined

Tuesday 4 September 2018

Wenhaston Circular Walk

Salt marsh

A ramble of the heaths and commons around the Suffolk village of Wenhaston

This walk is one of Suffolk's hidden secrets that will not fail to impress. The village of Wenhaston lies on the back road between Blythburgh and Halesworth and is probably missed by most folk travelling in this direction.

The village is centred on a number of ancient heaths and commons which have now becomes havens of nature and which this walk navigates around. Blackheath, Church marshes, Bickers Heath are all visited on this specific walk. There is also the traditional pub in the Star Inn, unspoilt and well worth visiting for its food and range of ales. There is also a reputedly haunted area known as Peggys Stile which is located where the footpath exits onto the road just up from the pub. A stile no longer exists at this location but local folklore warns of the ghostly spectre of Peggy who, depending upon the version that is told, was either a witch or donkey.

The highlight of the walk is at the end, namely St Peter's church which hosts an artwork known as the Wenhaston Doom. This magnificent painting, which depicts the Last Judgement, dates from the late 15th century and was reputedly painted by a Blythburgh monk. The painting was discovered during Victorian restoration of the church in 1892 when the decaying whitewashed wooden boards above the chancel arch were taken down and left outside, some say to be used as firewood. That night it rained and the whitewash was washed away revealing the painting which had been hidden since the time of the reformation. What is remarkable about this painting is that, unlike other surviving medieval art which were painted onto plaster, this is still bright and vivid and is the only such example in the country.

Thursday 6 January 2022

The Sandlings Walk - Dunwich to Southwold

Aldborough

A 15 mile circular walk along the Sandlings footpath between Dunwich and Southwold, with an option of returning either via the beach or the Suffolk Coast Path through Dingle Marshes

This is the final stage of the Sandlings Walk from Ipswich to Southwold. Starting at Dunwich, it takes the trails through Dunwich Forest and heads over Walberswick Heath to Southwold. The woods are full of mushrooms and nuts and berries this time of year... and hops! This is a lovely walk through the woods and well worth the effort. To make the route circular, the return is either via Dingle Marshes, or the Suffolk Coast Path or if the tide is out then its an easy walk along the beach.

Thursday 13 December 2018

Southwold Circular Walk

An 5.5 mile circular walk around Southwold

This walk navigates from Southwold Harbour around the northern part of the Blyth estuary known as Buss Creek, returning via the seafront to the harbour. One cannot miss out on a wander around the pier to take in the amazing sights of the quirky The Under the Pier show, the creation of Tim Hunkin and typical British eccentricity at its best.

Sunday 23 February 2020

The Angles Way - Wortwell to Earsham

Lakes at wortwell

An 8.75 mile walk along the Angles Way from Wortwell to Earsham

It is not often that a country ramble coincides with a Brewery visit. On this route there are two, the historic St Peters brewery and the Waveney Brewing Company based at the Queens Head pub in Earsham. Although St Peters is a little off route a visit to this exquisite old building is thoroughly recommended. Also just off route is the village of Flixton where there is the remains of Flixton Priory and a church with a unique tower plus the setting for a spooky story.

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