Saxmundham, Kelsale and Carlton

A walk around Saxmundham, Kelsale and Carlton. Using footpaths an country lanes, this short walk provides some fine views, historic churches and even a ghostly tale of an apparition of phantom dancers. A worthy candidate for an afternoons exploration of this hidden corner of East Suffolk.

Technical sheet

n°42974406
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.62 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 45 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 42 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 40 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 15 m
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Photos

Carlton church
Skouldings Mill, Carlton
Kelsale Church
Sculpture for Kelsale, Carlton and Benhall

Description of the walk

Start: Saxmundham railway station (IP17 1BW) Grid ref. TM 386 633

(S/E) From Saxmundham railway station, take the footpath that leads down the side of the railway bridge on the north side of Saxmundham and is marked with the East Suffolk Line Path waymarker. Keep to this path until the railway line junctions with the Sizewell branch.

(1) At this point, a footpath leads across the tracks then across the fields to a country lane. Turn right for a couple of hundred yards and another footpath on the left takes you across more fields to the Kelsale road. Turn left and follow the road into Kelsale - this is a quiet country lane with little traffic. Continue down into the village and turn right onto Dennys Lane which leads up to the church.

(2) Return from the church down Church Lane and turn right at the junction. Continue through the village up to the main road, cross straight over and head up the Rosemary Lane towards Carlton. Pass Skouldings Mill and follow the road around the double bends. The Poachers Pocket pub is on the left around the sharp left bend at the top of the road. Keep to the road and cross directly over at the junction to follow a track. This slowly descends and then passes over Gull Stream, a small brook.

(3) Take the footpath on the left that follows the stream. Keep to this which joins a track that then leads across a meadow to Carlton Church. Follow the path around the edge of the churchyard and then continue over to the hedgerow. Go straight through and head to the left of the play fenced area keeping in a straight line towards the woodland directly ahead.

(4) The path leads through the trees and then out onto the housing estate. Walk down Dove Close, cross the road at the junction and follow the footpath down the side of the school. This emerges onto Henley Close. Turn left and follow the road which bends round to the left then the right.

(5) A footpath on the left cuts through to Harpers Lane which leads down to the main road. Turn right to return to the starting point. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 15 m - Saxmundham railway station
  2. 1 : km 0.78 - alt. 26 m - Railway line junctions with the Sizewell branch
  3. 2 : km 3.39 - alt. 34 m - Church
  4. 3 : km 4.95 - alt. 24 m - Gull Stream - Footpath left
  5. 4 : km 5.84 - alt. 24 m - Trees
  6. 5 : km 6.22 - alt. 17 m - Footpath left - Harpers Lane
  7. S/E : km 6.62 - alt. 15 m - Saxmundham railway station

Practical information

Start: Saxmundham railway station (IP17 1BW) Grid ref. TM 386 633

Refreshments:
Poachers Pocket, Carlton

Find more information and walks at Griffmonsters Great Walks here.

In the nearby area

  • The Church of St Mary and St Peter, Kelsale
  • Skoulding's Mill
  • Roadside Burial
  • St Peters Church, Carlton
  • Tale of the Ghostly Dancers

Find more information Griffmonsters Great Walks here.

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