Tracks and lanes to Glemham

A route that can be either walked or cycled through the Suffolk countryside around Snape, Blaxhall and Glenham. It goes through the Suffolk countryside using a mixture of lanes, tracks, bridleways and little used country roads. This can be either walked or cycled and provides a full days outing taking in the picturesque villages of Snape, Blaxhall, Little Glemham, Great Glemham and Benhall which these days is split into two with the A12 separating Benhall Low Street from Benhall Green. Along the route is the Parham Airfield Museum, although this is only open on Sundays between April to October.

Technical sheet

n°43097271
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 35.51 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 10h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 113 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 110 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 43 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m
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Photos

Parham airfield museum
Glenham Church
Tracks and lanes to Glemham

Description of the walk

Start : The Volunteer Pub, Leiston (IP16 4DJ). Grid ref. TM 443 621

(S/E) From the pub, head South out of Leiston on the Knodishall road (B1069), bearing left onto a track just beyond Coldfair Green village. Keep to this until it meets the Aldeburgh road (A1094) where there is a wide verge which can be used to walk up to Blackheath Corner.

(1) Atfer 3.8 Km, turn right and use the wide verge up to Blackheath Corner where there is a track on the left, opposite the Leiston road. Take this through to Snape.

(2) The track eventually joins a country lane which leads into Snape village as you keep walking South-West.

(3) At the main road turn left and head down to Snape Maltings. Just beyond the maltings a turn on the right will lead through to Blaxhall.

(4) After 1.8 Km, take the first left into the village and the Blaxhall Ship pub is at the end of the road as it junctions with the road around the village. Turn right along the road.

(5) Then take the first left onto Station Road. As the road bends to the left continue straight on up Church Road.

(6) Then follow the lane on the right (North) before it meets the cottages. Keep to this lane until the second left lane which will lead into Little Glemham. Walk along the lane for 1.8 Km.

(7) Keep left to the A12 trunk road through the village and take the lane on the right as the road heads up the hill out of the village. Continue to the end of the lane.

(8) Turn right and keep to the road until Great Glemham is reached.

(9) Take the first road on the right. Turn the first left and keep to this lane until the first buildings of Sweffling.

(10) Turn a sharp right almost back on yourself, then keep the next two lefts followed by a right which ends on the A12 Saxmundham bypass. There is a pavement alongside the road until the junction into Saxmundham.

(11) Take this road left and turn right down along B1121 towards Benhall. Continue right through the village.

(12) Then turn right onto Red Lane. Go straight over at the end junction and then turn right on the next junction along B1121 and follow the road through the left to Friston.

(13) Head for Friston church then follow the farm track back through to Knodishall. Take the road left back into Leiston. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 18 m - The Volunteer Pub
  2. 1 : km 3.84 - alt. 12 m - Junction with A1094
  3. 2 : km 5.91 - alt. 15 m - Country lane
  4. 3 : km 6.72 - alt. 2 m - Main road
  5. 4 : km 9.6 - alt. 15 m - First left into the village
  6. 5 : km 10.15 - alt. 12 m - Station Road - Left
  7. 6 : km 10.46 - alt. 17 m - Lane right
  8. 7 : km 13.69 - alt. 14 m - A12 trunk road
  9. 8 : km 15.62 - alt. 38 m - End of the lane
  10. 9 : km 19.1 - alt. 25 m - Road junction - Right
  11. 10 : km 21.54 - alt. 16 m - Junction - Sharp right
  12. 11 : km 25.9 - alt. 23 m - Junction A12
  13. 12 : km 28.61 - alt. 10 m - Junction - Red Lane
  14. 13 : km 31.51 - alt. 11 m - Friston church
  15. S/E : km 35.51 - alt. 18 m - The Volunteer Pub

Practical information

Start : The Volunteer Pub, Leiston (IP16 4DJ). Grid ref. TM 443 621

Terrain: The route mainly uses country lanes and quiet roads.

Refreshments:
Plough and Sail, Snape
The Ship Inn, Blaxhall
The Lion Inn, Little Glemham

Find more information and walks at Griffmonsters Great Walks here.

In the nearby area

  • Blaxhall Stone
  • Parham Airfield Museum
  • Benhall Lodge
  • A Curious Ghost Story

Other walks in the area

Walking In Search of the ruins of Leiston Abbey

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In Search of the ruins of Leiston Abbey
↔15.02 km ↗+26 m ↘-30 m ◔4h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
A circular walk around Leiston and Eastbridge in Suffolk. Leiston Abbey was originally founded in the late 12th century by Ranulf de Glanville. The original building was constructed on an island in the Minsmere marshes. Two centuries later, due to the inhospitable conditions on the marsh and constant flooding the Abbey was moved inland, lock stock and stone to a site close to Leiston. Despite a great fire in 1367 and much demolition following the dissolution of the monasteries there still remains some impressive ruins. There is still a remnant of the old Abbey, with the former chapel building sitting in its island position above the marsh, decaying into the landscape and containing a WWII pill box. This walk visits both sites making a well worthwhile walk.

Walking Around the Churches of Knodishall and Friston

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Around the Churches of Knodishall and Friston
↔16.38 km ↗+44 m ↘-42 m ◔4h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
A circular walk around the Suffolk villages of Knodishall and Friston. An easy ramble across the Suffolk countryside, with the highlight being the hidden ruins of St Peters Church in the old parish of Buxlow, now a part of Knodishall. There's some fascinating history on this walk along paths that are off the beaten track but nonetheless well-maintained.

Walking Leiston to Westwood Marsh

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Leiston to Westwood Marsh
↔29.28 km ↗+63 m ↘-69 m ◔8h 35 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
A walk encompassing the Westwood Marshes footpath into a circular route from Leiston. The Westwood Marshes footpath is little gem of a path that links the Newdelight Walks with the Suffolk Coast Path through the Westwood marshes. The route for this walk uses this path as the ultimate destination from Leiston but shorter alternatives to include this path are also detailed.

Walking Leiston to Walberswick

Walker
Leiston to Walberswick
↔34.70 km ↗+57 m ↘-55 m ◔10h 05 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
A circular walk between Leiston and Walberswick incorporating sections of the Suffolk Coast Path and Sandlings Walk. It uses the beach at low tide to get from Sizewell to Walberswick, returning through Dunwich forest. Walberswick is said to be the most haunted place in Britain though one would not think it from its relaxed and laid back character, famous for its crabbing pastimes.

Walking The Alde Valley - Leiston to Wickham Market

Walker
The Alde Valley - Leiston to Wickham Market
↔22.51 km ↗+79 m ↘-58 m ◔6h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
A walk along the East Suffolk Line Path between Leiston and Wickham Market Although the official route for the East Suffolk Line Path links the stations at Saxmundham and Campsea Ashe, this provides an alternative route using the local bus service to link the two ends. Highlights along the route include the picturesque Beversham Mill and the legendary Blaxhall Stone which is said to progressively grow in size.

Walking In Search of Leiston Gibbet, Friday Market Heath and St Andrews Green

Walker
In Search of Leiston Gibbet, Friday Market Heath and St Andrews Green
↔8.78 km ↗+15 m ↘-11 m ◔2h 35 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
This walk follows an investigation to seek out the location of the Leiston Gibbet and an area of heathland that was known in the 1600's as Friday Market Heath. The only reference to these places comes from an old book from 1910 entitled 'The Chronicles of Theberton' which details the route past the gibbet. This walk attempts to retrace this route by navigating along the heathland and footpaths around the River Hundred which marks the boundary between the hundreds of Blything and Plomestead. Extensive research which has been undertaken and documented in the feature of this walk with some revealing insights to long forgotten places.

Walking Around Suffolk's Minsmere Bird Reserve

Walker
Around Suffolk's Minsmere Bird Reserve
↔16.11 km ↗+24 m ↘-31 m ◔4h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
A circular walk through the Suffolk Coastal Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty taking in Sizewell and the Minsmere Bird Reserve. One does not have to have an enthusiasm for ornithology to enjoy this walk. The natural surroundings of marshland and heathland are enough to inspire everyone and there is a lot of associated history along this route which dates back to the 12th century when Leiston Abbey once occupied an island in the marshes. Note that charges apply to the Minsmere section.

Walking A Trek Around Sole Bay

Walker
A Trek Around Sole Bay
↔38.28 km ↗+78 m ↘-81 m ◔11h 10 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
A circular walk between Sizewell and Southwold along the Suffolk Coast Path and Sandlings Walk. Due to the limitations of public transport, it is difficult to create linear walks along the Suffolk Coast Path between Sizewell and Southwold. The walk follows the Suffolk Coast Path up to Dunwich Heath where a newly designated footpath along the roadside will join back with the Suffolk Coast Path at Greyfriars Woods and leads to Dunwich. Keep with the Coast Path through Dunwich and across the marshes to Walberswick where the river Blyth can be crossed using the ferry to continue into Southwold along the Suffolk Coast Path. Return is straight down the coast to Dunwich then head across the heath through to Eastbridge and Leiston following the Sandlings Walk. ⚠️The Walberswick Ferry only runs at weekends during some weeks of the year and one should check the service prior to walking. There is an alternative route.

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