Rattlesden walks

An easy walk following Suffolk's River Gipping between Stowmarket and Needham Market. The river Gipping forms the source to the mighty Orwell River. At Stowmarket it is no more than a babbling stream that winds its way through the Suffolk countryside. The path keeps to the riverside throughout with no difficult obstacles other than styles, making a pleasant stroll between these two places. With some fantastic pubs at either end it makes a good little pub crawl.

A walk following Suffolk's River Gipping between Needham Market and Ipswich. A riverside walk tracing the route of the River Gipping as it heads through Suffolk to join the tidal waters of the Orwell at Ipswich. A gentle ambling route that twists and turns through the countryside which presents a perfect summers walk. This is a good walk for summer when the sun is shining and the gentle Gipping River trickles its way through the Suffolk countryside. There are old mills, there are little bridges and old locks which are no more than weirs these days presenting an interesting journey. It is a stereotypical English rural landscape. Admittedly the main A14 is never too far away so there is always the distant moan of traffic but it is easy to forget about this, even more so, I would guess, if one is a townie and used to such noises.

A walk around the Suffolk villages of Eye and Hoxne. Hoxne is said to be where St Edmund was Martyred by the Viking invaders in the 9th century. The village is full of reminders of the gruesome event including the cross which marks the place of the oak tree his assailants tied him to, beat him, fired arrows at and eventually beheaded and the bridge he reputedly hid trying to escape his captors.

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).

On the ‘Wherstead Woodlands’ walk, you can see more ancient woodland, the Stalls Valley, farmland and the villages of Wherstead and Freston.

Short circular walk around heaths and woodlands of Foxhall, Ipswich. A pleasant stroll around the heaths and woodlands around Foxhall, to the east of Ipswich. The walk is short but nonetheless a pleasant way to while a way an hour or two. Natural woodland, babbling stream and if you look very carefully you may even see what remains of Foxhalls All Saints Church

A walk along the River Stour incorporating sections of the Stour Valley Path, the Essex Way and St Edmund's Way. Flatford Mill is the idyllic English country scene encapsulated by John Constables renowned paintings including the instantly recognizable 'Haywain'. This circular route is an exceptional walk by all accounts and the perfect way to engross oneself in this landscape that sits on the Suffolk and Essex border.

This walk gives fantastic views over Alton Water Park. The longer walk leads you to Holbrook Creek and passes through the pretty village of Stutton. A shorter walk visits a nature reserve and the Tattingstone Clifton Wonder, a building designed to deceive!

Located on the Shotley peninsular, the Alton Water Reservoir provides an easy walk around its water. A self contained circular route that needs little in the way of maps. Just keep the water on your right and keep walking! The mixed variety of landscapes of open meadow, woods and even the hills on the northern side of the reservoir provide a constant changing scenery throughout the walk. In all this is a great walk with some pleasing panoramas and ever changing views of the reservoir.

This walk gives fantastic views over Alton Water Park. The longer walk leads you to Holbrook Creek and passes through the pretty village of Stutton. A shorter walk visits a nature reserve and the Tattingstone Clifton Wonder, a building designed to deceive!

A 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.

This circular walk through the countryside of Suffolk includes a section alongside the River Orwell. The route takes you inland passing Erwarton Hall and the fine church at Church End to the banks of the Orwell from where you can see Felixstowe Docks. The walk then heads north along the Orwell following the Stout and Orwell Walk.

Discover the start of the river Stour, Constable's country

This walk explores the town of Woodbridge, the river Deben and the surrounding landscape.

This walk explores the town of Woodbridge, the river Deben and the surrounding landscape.

This walk explores the town of Woodbridge, the river Deben and the surrounding landscape.

A walk between Woodbridge and Ipswich incorporating sections from the Fonnereau Way, the Sandlings and the Fynn Valley Way. This walk links the railway stations of Woodbridge, Westerfield and Ipswich with scenic views along the estuary at Woodbridge and the Fynn Valley before entering Ipswich from the west through the historic parkland known as Christchurch park which dates from the 12th century which includes many historic features and a mansion that is open to the public.

A walk along the Suffolk Fynn Valley between Woodbridge and Witnesham, with a return route via Grundisburgh and Hasketon. The walk follows the the banks of the Deben around to Martlesham Creek where it meets the River Fynn. The path then follows the rivers course through Little Bealings, Playford and Tuddenham St Martin through to Witnesham. Waymarkers point out the route throughout this section. The return is on footpaths across fields to Grundisburgh, then using further footpaths to Hasketon and finally back to Woodbridge The Fynn Valley Walk is an official waymarked route following the course of the River Fynn from Witnesham to Martlesham then continuing through to Woodbridge along the banks of the River Deben. For this walk, the Fynn Valley route is walked in reverse then public footpaths are used across the fields to Grundisburgh and Hasketon and back down into Woodbridge to make a circular walk.

A 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

A 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 an unusual dedication to St Mary of the Assumption and contains the second largest font cover in England which is a sight to behold.

See where the racehorses train and enjoy the panorama of the Cambridgeshire countryside from some of it’s higher points.

A walk along the Deben Valley in Suffolk from Wickham Market to Woodbridge following 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.

Discover the start of Constable's river Stour.

A circular walk around Wickham Market in Suffolk to take in the spooky sights of Potsford Gibbet. Jonah Snell was reputedly the last man to be 'hung in chains' at Potsford Gibbet in 1699 as decreed by the cracked plaque that is affixed to the decaying post which is all that remains of the gibbet. His ghost is said to haunt the area and the hill up to the location of the Gibbet is still locally known as Dragarse Hill after he was dragged by his arse up the hill to the Gibbet for his part in the grizzly murders carried out at Letheringham Mill.

A very easy 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.

This walk takes in woodland, farmland, quiet meadows and the River Stour where saltmarsh and mudflats provide habitats for wildlife.

This walk takes in woodland, farmland, quiet meadows and the River Stour where saltmarsh and mudflats provide habitats for wildlife.

Explore the unique and rare landscape of the Sandlings heath and its diversity of wildlife and history.

A walk across open heathland, past twisted pines trees and through sun dappled woodland.

This walk navigates from the village of Trimley down to Kings Fleet and along the banks of the River Deben to Felixstowe Ferry, the setting of an old Black Shuck tale from many years ago which is a feature to this walk. A coastal walk follows, along the seafront of Felixstowe through to the where the River Orwell meets the sea, a strategic point of defence against attacking enemies attempting to sail up the estuary. Key to that defence is Languard Fort which has stood here for many centuries and has played key parts in the world wars of the 20th centuries. A fascinating place to visit with a certain eeriness within its confines.

A Suffolk circular walk that starts from Shotley Gate on the confluence of the Stour and Orswell Rivers. The route offers an interesting insight into the operation of the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich together with a lengthy section of the Stour and Orwell Walk. The walk follows the shore for much of the way but ventures inland via Church End and Erwarton Hall to complete the circuit.

This walk explores the Orwell and Stour estuaries. Enjoy superb views of Harwich Haven and the Port of Felixstowe.

This walk explores the Orwell and Stour estuaries. Enjoy superb views of Harwich Haven and the Port of Felixstowe.

This walk explores the Orwell and Stour estuaries. Enjoy superb views of Harwich Haven and the Port of Felixstowe.

Trimley Marshes make for a wonderful day out with some beautiful scenery, fascinating history and one of the best wildlife sites in the county.

This Norfolf walk visits a number of villages with pretty cottages and interesting churches lying to the south-west of Norwich. The route uses quiet country lanes, field paths and ends with a section of the Boudicca Way long distance footpath.

This walk goes along the banks of the Orwell River in Suffolk starting at Felixstowe and ending in the centre of Ipswich. The Stour and Orwell path is an extension to the southern end of the Suffolk Coast Path and follows the coast along the estuaries of the Orwell and the Stour. The start of the walk is characterised by the earthen river defences along which the footpath navigates. From Levington Creek an alternative route is used to pay a visit to the 13th century Ship Inn before proceeding through Broke Hall Woods to rejoin the official route through to Ipswich.

A walk along the River Deben in Suffolk, starting at Felixstowe and ending in Martlesham. The lovely walk along the Deben estuary. Although parts are inaccessible due to breaches of the flood banks, the mix of riverside paths, country lanes and footpaths provides an ideal mix of landscapes to keep any walker fascinated. The May bush pub offers a perfect place to take a rest and refreshment, its riverside location unbeatable.

Very quiet lanes with cafe en route. Lovely countryside with rose fields and a number of interesting churches.

A loop walk at Tolleshunt Knights, close to Tiptree in Essex. The route is predominately on grassy footpaths with a few road/track sections particularly towards the end. Parts of the track afford some good views over the Blackwater Estuary.

A countryside walk beginning and ending in the village of Terling. Nothing spectacular about the route but it has some nice views and pleasant countryside, passes an old windmill and a rare round tower church. The route follows the course of the River Ter in places, and there are quite a few springs along the way, so it can get muddy. There are a couple of woods with excellent displays of bluebells in the spring but it is a good walk for any time of year. Waymarking is generally excellent. Details are given for a shorter walk of 4 miles that does not visit Great Leighs church.

A circular walk in a comparatively unspoiled part of mid Essex, between Chelmsford and Braintree. It is particularly suited to being a winter walk as most of the route is on quiet country lanes, surfaced bridleways and grassy field paths, thus avoiding the worst of the Essex mud. It is a good walk for any time of year though, with fine views across open countryside and is, for the most part, devoid of traffic noise. Reviewed and updated April 2024