Melton to Woodbridge ~ Griffmonsters Great Walks

Thursday, 5 June 2025

Melton to Woodbridge

Author: Griffmonster | Thursday, 5 June 2025 | No comments |

Melton to Woodbridge

Simple walk along the river Deben.

Simple and pleasurable wander along the river estuary with plenty of river craft to see. The HMS Vale, a former Swedish Navy HUGIN class vessel built in 1978 and decommissioned in 1995 now resides on the river bank as the Deben Vale Cafe Bar. This cafe serves as a unique vantage point to have a drink and bite to eat whilst admiring the view of the vast expanse of the river Deben.

NOTE

This is a walk summary intended to provide the user with just the essential information in order to navigate the walk route. Fully detailed information notes, refreshment stops and walk features are not included in this. A full write up will may be included in the future.

Melton to Woodbridge - Essential Information

Walk Statistics (calculated from GPX):

Start location: Melton
End location: Woodbridge
Distance: miles ( km)
Total Gain: ft ( metre)
Total Descent: ft ( metre)
Min Height: ft ( metre)
Max Height: ft ( metre)
Walk Time:
Walk Grade: Easy
Terrain: Footpath, Country Lane, Road

Maps:

The following maps and services can assist in navigating this route. There are links to printed maps and links to downloadable GPX route data for importing into navigational software and apps.

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map: OS Explorer 197 - Ipswich, Felixstowe & Harwich
GPX Route File

Route Verification Details

Date of Walk: 29/05/2025
Walk Time: 10:30:00 to 13:00:00
Walkers: Griff, Kat
Weather Conditions: sunny periods, warmth increasing during the day

Walk Notes

Route: From Melton take Station Road past the church of St Andrew. This is worth a visit and replaced the original old church in the 19th century. The old church still exists in the fields north east of the village and is owned by a charitable trust. The change of location came with the railway where the increasing population required the church to be rebuilt with an increasing population and it was considered that building a new church closer to the village would be the best choice. The church was completed in 1868 and retains the medieval font from the original church. The imagery on the font has survived intact from the desecration of the puritans and includes the depiction of the martydom of St Andrew.

The path is accessed by turning right onto Wilford Bridge Road and following this around the tight right hand bend by the station, over the railway crossing, after which there is a footpath on the right. This leads to the river embankment.

The path is well signposted from this point, being part of the Sandlings long distance path. It generally follows the banks of the river although having to negotiate around boat yards along the way. The the Deben Vale Cafe Bar is located on the Melton side of the walk with plenty of signage to announce its presence. Close to the Woodbridge railway station is the historic Tide Mill Museum, and also the Woodbridge Museum which is free to visit.

Continue along the river bank to pass out into a more rural setting where the river turns to the coast providing a broad visit down its course, with marshland on the landward side. Just before Rendlesham Creek, there is a path to return back into Woodbridge along a footpath behind the marsh. After this crosses the railway track, take the path into Kings Field recreation ground and take the path diagonally across. This will lead out onto the road at the far end from which you can return to the river bank and retrace ones steps back to the station.

To return, either retrace ones steps back to Melton, take the train back from Woodbridge station or navigate out of the station car park, turn right and continue for 230m to the traffic lights. Turn left to the Turban Centre where the bus terminus can be found. The 64 First Group bus returns you to Melton.