Into the Valley of Wherstead

The historic villages of Wherstead and Freston are great for exploring the unique farmed and estuary landscapes of the Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB. The walks take in Freston Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

Technical sheet

3878088
A Wherstead walk posted on 21/08/20 by Aurelie-21. Last update : 01/06/21
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.62 km
  • ◔
    Calculated time: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 43 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 49 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 41 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2 m
  • ⚐
    District: Wherstead 
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 52.024514° / E 1.156444°

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Orwell Bridge

Description

(S/E) Start the walk at the Suffolk Food Hall. Head south-east across the paddocks in front of the Food Hall, taking in the stunning view down the River Orwell. Cross the middle of the field towards the main road, taking care as you cross Freston Brook along a narrow verge. After a bit of birdwatching at the bottom of Freston Hill, you enter Freston Wood SSSI, woodland typical of this part of the Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB.

(1) Leave the wood at St Peter’s Church, Freston, largely restored by local architect R.T.Orr in 1874. It includes an Arts & Crafts styled octagonal vestry and a sensitive rescue of the C15th tower and the C14th east window. Right on to the lane around to the village (taking care on the road).

(2) On leaving the village take the footpath on your right, to Freston Lodge Farm. At end of lane go straight, down through the meadow valley, across Freston Brook and along the line of poplar trees, to the Orwell Nursing Home.

(3) Turn right onto Redgate Lane and turn left at Redgate Farm. Walk back across the paddocks for lunch or tea back at the Suffolk Food Hall.(S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 10 m - Suffolk Food Hall
  2. 1 : km 1.85 - alt. 38 m - St Peter’s Church
  3. 2 : km 2.65 - alt. 36 m - Footpath
  4. 3 : km 4.03 - alt. 37 m - Redgate Lane
  5. S/E : km 5.62 - alt. 10 m - Suffolk Food Hall

Useful Information

Easy – Ground under foot fairly flat, one stile. This walk takes you onto public roads. Please be aware of traffic. We recommend high visibility clothing.

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Clarity of route description
4 / 5
Clarity of route map
4 / 5
Walk interest
4.3 / 5
Ralph's walker
Ralph's walker

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : 23/05/21
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Route description at the church was a bit vague but the map proved to be useful - we should have used it from the start!

Jennywren
Jennywren

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : 12/05/21
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We began the walk at the Suffolk Food Hall and had a coffee outside with fantastic view over the Orwell. Our reason for doing the walk was because we had read that Freston Wood was a good place to see bluebells at this time of year. We were not disappointed. On entering the wood, we were met with swathes of wild garlic, their creamy white flowers making a carpet on our left. Even though the weather was windy, inside the wood was very quiet and calm. The wild garlic succeeded to the anticipated bluebells which grew on both sides of the path in great numbers. Very magical especially as there was a lot of dead wood left in situ. The scent of both garlic and bluebells was very strong.
On exiting we tried to visit the church but it was locked. However the churchyard had some fine monuments including one to a 4 year old infant and an unusual statue in wood of victory to commemorate the dead of WW1.
We did a detour to the pub The Freston Boot and had an excellent meal.
The remainder of the walk back to the Food Hall was down a surprising valley. We encountered cows in two fields but they were not a problem.
Best walk to do in the spring!

BlueGoose900
BlueGoose900

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : 14/11/20
Clarity of route description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Walk interest : ★★★★☆ Good

first time on this walk. route includes some pretty countryside and walking through woods etc. Could have picked a better day to go as very muddy after heavy morning rain.... will do it again in the spring/summer and have a coffee and ice cream at Suffolk Food Hall.

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