(S/E) Start from the car park south of Sutton Heath. Head North East along the restricted byway which is the widest track between two information boards.
(1) At the first crossroads of tracks turn left and head along the bridleway for approximately 125m then pass through a kissing gate on your right onto a well- worn permissive path within an enclosed fence area. Sheep graze in the fenced off enclosures during the spring and summer months so please keep dogs on a short fixed lead and shut gates behind you. Follow this path for approx. 320m until you reach another gate, pass through the gate and then turn left along a track, almost immediately turn right and enter another fenced area through another gate.
(2) Follow this well-worn path past World War ll anti-glider ditches which were created in 1939-40 to stop enemy aircraft from landing, until you reach a kissing gate. Pass through the gate and turn right, on reaching a junction of tracks turn left along a wide track with areas of woodland on each side. At the next cross roads of tracks with a bench on your left you can take a detour into the fenced area on your right which is an ancient monument site.
(3) On reaching a sandy byway turn left towards the barracks. Pass through a kissing gate on your right just before reaching the road; follow a well-worn path through the heather. On reaching a broad cross track turn left, go through a kissing gate and turn immediately right to follow the fence line on your right. Cross over the next byway and head towards Red Lodge.
(4) On reaching the red brick cottage carefully cross over the busy road to take the bridleway opposite the house which leads onto Upper Hollesley Common via a gate. Here you are joining the Sandlings Walk, a long distance path from Ipswich to Southwold which is signed by a silver plaque embossed with the outline of a Nightjar. Follow the bridleway until you reach a cross road of tracks with the Forestry Commission plantation ahead.
(5) Leave the Sandlings Walk and the bridleway and turn right down a track which winds through the trees with glimpse of open heathland to your right. Approximately 75m before a large gate turn right, after 50m bear right then left. At a junction of five tracks/ paths take the second track on your left and proceed west along the broad track. Return to the bridleway, through the gate and cross the road back to Red Lodge. Turn right and head across the grassy area to Gobblecock Cottage. This is the sole surviving intact example of an early 19th century gamekeeper’s cottage on the Broxtead estate.
(6) On the reaching the byway turn left. After approximately 340m go through a kissing gate on your right. Head towards the trees on your left and follow a grass track which runs parallel to a fence on your left.
(7) At a crossroads of tracks and the corner of fenced area turn left, and follow the grass track which runs parallel to fence line. At the end of the plantation on your left the track and fence bears right, go through the kissing gate and then turn right onto bridleway that leads to the sewage works.
(8) At the crossroad of tracks by the sewage works turn left on to the byway. Follow this sandy track, which is muddy in places, past the plantation on your right.
(9) At the next staggered crossroad of byways turn right. This sandy track leads past expansive views of heathland on your right, where the Exmoor ponies graze, and scattered trees. This byway takes you back to the picnic area, dog exercise area and the car park.(S/E)
