Sandlings Walk - Rushmere to Melton Walk Summary

The Suffolk Sandlings path between Rushmere, on the eastern side of Ipswich, and Melton

The Sandlings is a long distance path linking Ipswich and Southwold through the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

A starting point is provided at Rushmere Heath, close to Ipswich Hospital and takes a rural route out behind Kesgrave and through to Martlesham. The trail then heads down to Martlesham Creek, a sizeable creek off of the River Deben that creek was said to be used in 18th century smuggling days as a discreet place to offload contraband. A riverside path then provides access all the way through to Melton. This is the highlight of the walk, a true delight to wander no matter what time of the year.

Although there are no specific pubs along the route, a short diversion gives access to The Black Tiles at roughly the half way point. There is public transport linking the two ends with 800 First Group bus service departing from outside Melton railway station. The 64 service follows a similar route and departs from The Street in Melton. There is no Sunday service.

Features along the route include an anonymous grave on Martlesham Heath known as Dobbs' Grave, reputedly the resting place of a shepherd boy named Dobbs who committed suicide. The area is purported to be haunted some saying it to be the ghost of Brainy Dobbs, an airman from Martlesham Heath airfield.

Martlesham Heath Control Tower Museum is located a little further along and pays homage to RAF Martlesham Heath, which contributed to the development of aviation as well as being a key airfield during two world wars. Open on Sundays from Easter to October.

The impressive renovated Tide Mill sits on the banks of the Deben at Woodbridge and is a worthwhile attraction to take time out and visit. The mill, over 800 years old, is said to be the oldest in the country.

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Bromeswell Village Walk

A very easy 2 mile walk around the Suffolk Village of Bromeswell

The Sandlings Path avoids the busy road between Melton and the footpath across the Heathland to Rendlesham Forest by navigating around the quiet village of Bromeswell. Although only a short distance, it is worth taking ones time to explore this quiet village with its typically East Anglian church of St Edmund.

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Holt to Melton Constable Circular Walk

Holt to Melton Constable Circular Walk

A ramble through the North Norfolk countryside

A walk using country lanes, footpaths, permissive paths and tracks to create a route between Holt and Melton Constable attempting to follow the route of the old M&GN railway line that linked the two towns.

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The Sandlings Walk - Ipswich to Melton

The start of the Sandlings can be found in several points in Ipswich but we chose Rushmere Heath opposite Ipswich hospital. One thing about Ipswich is that it always reminds you that it is there despite the peacefulness of the Heath. There is constant background noise of sirens, traffic, distant motorbikes.Once past Martlesham you are then in the serenity of the countryside with all the delights of the river Deben and Martlesham Creek.

NOTE - this walk page has been superseded by a Walk summary located at Rushmere to Melton Walk Summary
 

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Deben Valley Walk from Wickham Market to Woodbridge

An 8 mile walk along the Deben Valley in Suffolk from Wickham Market to Woodbridge

This walk follows the route of the East Suffolk Line Walks along the Deben Valley. An easy and simple walk with the highlight of the village of Ufford which boasts its very own microbrewery and ancient church. The walk ends with an amble along the popular riverside path between Melton and Woodbridge.

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The Sandlings Walk

An overview of the Sandlings Walk, a 55 mile long distance path through the forests and heaths of East Suffolk

The Sandlings is a 55 mile walk starting at Rushmere Heath on the eastern side of Ipswich with Southwold, passing through the remaining fragments of East Suffolks Sandling Heaths. The trail leads through Rendlesham, Tunstall and Dunwich forests and also includes riverside walks at Woodbridge and heathland walks across Rushmere Heath, Sutton Heath, Thorpeness Common and Dunwich Heath..

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Deben Estuary - Melton to Bawdsey

A 15 mile river side walk along the Deben Estuary in Suffolk between the villages of Melton and Bawdsey

This walk follows river side footpaths with spectacular views across the estuary. Unfortunately at Ramsholt there is no public access and one needs to divert through to the village of Alderton with a road walk for the last few miles to Bawdsey. A ferry crossing an a short walk into Felixstowe provides public transport access back to Melton

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In Search of Polsborough Gate

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

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Dads Army Weekend 2015

An easy 9 mile Norfolk coastal walk to visit the Dads Army weekend hosted on the North Norfolk Railway

The third episode of the sixth series of the popular British comedy series Dad's Army was titled 'The Royal Train' in which King George VI was due to pass through Walmington-on-Sea and the platoon were to form a guard of honour. The location chosen to film this episode was Weybourne station on the North Norfolk Railway and each year this is celebrated with a Dad's Army weekend where a group of enthusiasts from the Dads Army Museum in Thetford re-enact this memorable episode.

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The Sandlings Walk - Bromeswell to Snape

A 16 mile walk along the Suffolk Sandlings Path between Bromeswell and Snape taking in Rendlesham and Tunstall forests

The route leads across gorse covered heathland and through forest which typifies the modern landscape of the Sandlings. The forests are a modern development, set up with the founding of Forestry Commission during the 1920's to provide Britain with a sustainable source of timber. One cannot fail to notice the twin airbases of Woodbridge and Bentwaters, the scene of a infamous military encounter with a UFO during December 1980.

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The Sandlings Walk - Martlesham to Rushmere Heath

A 4.5 mile walk across heathland from Martlesham to Rushmere Heath on the eastern fringes of Ipswich

Like most modern towns, Ipswich is suffering from a seemingly endless amount of urban sprawl that envelops the traditional villages that once surrounded it. However, this walk follows heathland that is hidden behind the housing estates all the way from Martlesham through to Rushmere Heath and Ipswich Hospital

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Weavers Way - Stalham to Aylsham Walk Summary

A walk along the dismantled M&GN railway from Stalham to Aylsham

This walk is the Railway section of the Weavers Way, a 60 mile long distance trail through the eastern side of Norfolk. This section follows the former M&GN railway trackbed from Stalham to Aylsham and there is plenty of evidence of the former railway with the stations of Honing and Felmingham still retaining their platforms and some structures and many typical railway style bridges throughout the trail.

Originally named as the Great Yarmouth and Stalham Light Railway when the first section was constructed in 1876, it changed its name to the Yarmouth and North Norfolk Light Railway with the extension to North Walsham in 1878. In 1881, in conjunction with the Lynn and Fakenham Railway a link between Melton Constable and North Walsham via Aylsham was added together with the light railway being converted to a full standard gauge line.

The 20th century saw this railway amalgamated into the Midland and Great Northern Railway, before combining into the LNER grouping. Post war saw its merger into the nationalised British Rail.

The line lasted until 1959 when it was deemed to be loss making and, along with many of Norfolk's railways, it closed down for good. The former railway line has now become part of the Weavers Way long distance trail as well as a designated county wildlife site and the cutting close to Felmingham has become a butterfly nature reserve.

The former railway has to be left at North Walsham where the modern road uses its route through the town. This provides a half way point of this walk and enables the hiker to peruse North Walsham as well as provide plenty of places to rest and refresh oneself before continuing onto Aylsham. The Hop Inn is always a recommended place to visit for those who like their ale. This micro pub serves six ever changing ales along with simple snacks and is always a hub of activity with conversation being the main entertainment of its customers.

There is no direct public transport link between the two ends of this walk and one requires to either use Cromer or Norwich as a link. In this instance Sanders Buses offers the number 6 service from Cromer to Stalham and to return there is the 44 servcie from Aylsham to Cromer.

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Ufford Heritage Trail

A 3 mile walk around the village of Ufford

Ufford is rich in heritage and well worth exploring. The Heritage Trail was created in 2006 and leads the walker around the historic features of the village including the village stocks, water meadows and the many listed buildings. The Highlight of the trail has to be the church which has the unusual dedication to St Mary of the Assumption and contains the second largest font cover in England which is a sight to behold.

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Bure River Walk from Coltishall to Brampton

An easy and captivating walk along Norfolks River Bure

Not only does this walk provide some classic Norfolk scenery and historic features but it also traces the route said to be taken by the phantom carriage of Sir Thomas Boleyn in his annual act of penance for betraying his daughter Anne when she was sentenced to be executed. The walk is then made into a circular route by returning via the Bure Valley Path alongside the narrow gauge Bure Valley railway.

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Weavers Way - Potter Heigham to North Walsham

A 20 mile walk along the Weavers Way between Potter Heigham and North Walsham

The Weavers Way winds its way along the River Thurne and then up Candle Dyke to Hickling Broad. From here it cuts across country to Stalham where it picks up the old railway trackbed through to just south of North Walsham. It is a full days walk with plenty of refreshment stops en route and plenty to see and do along the way.

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Winter Walks in the Suffolk Coastal Area

Many of the walks on this site are suitable for any season, but just to get into the Christmas spirit here are a few that were specifically walked during the winter months. Frosty and snowy scenes. A little intrigue and some good old mysteries make a well worthy walk. From simple 2 mile town trails to walks that will use virtually all the daylight hours on these short winter days.

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Suffolk Coast Path

An overview of the Suffolk Coast Path, a 60 mile long distance path following the coast of Suffolk

A 60 mile long distance footpath from Felixstowe to Lowestoft in easy stages through some of the characteristic landscapes of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The path also includes the Orford Loop which provides access through to Orford and the Butley Ferry. Alternative beach walks, providing the tide is right, can be undertaken throughout.

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A Hike along the Marriotts Way

The Marriott's Way links Aylsham and Norwich following the former trackbed of the Midland and Great Northern Railway.

The Marriott's Way is a footpath, bridleway and cycle route, which follows the routes of two disused railway lines, and runs between the historic market town of Aylsham and the medieval city of Norwich. Along with the mileage markers which are created from old rails complete with a metal rubbing plaque, there are numerous concrete sculptures, village markers, interactive sound boxes and benches which all provide added interest and information along the route.

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