Wilby walks

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.

A circular walk through the quintessential Suffolk countryside following the River Alde, following country lanes with a few footpaths along the Alde Valley. This is typical Suffolk countryside where one can take a lazy stroll. There are pubs to visit, three to be precise and all named the White Horse, along with three churches that are not named the White Horse!

A walk down the Blyth Valley in Suffolk from Halesworth to Blythburgh, then across the heaths and commons to Leiston. It was the legendary hell hound that supposedly came this way in 1577 and terrified parishioners of Blythbrugh church after doing a similar job at Bungay.

A walk along the East Suffolk Line Trail between Halesworth and Darsham. Great views are to be had along the Blyth valley before footpaths head over to the Yox valley. The village of Bramfield is at the half way point where is an old pub for refreshments as well as a distinctive church with a detached tower and a fine example of a Crinkle Crankle Wall, not to mention the legendary Bramfield Oak.

A walk between Halesworth and Beccles along the East Suffolk Line Path. This waymarked route links the railway stations at Halesworth, Brampton and Beccles. Taking the train between these towns will provide an interesting glimpse of what is in store along the walk, including the rather curious Belle Grove Farm looking as if it is out of some fantasy movie and the mysterious Brampton Standing Stone just south of Brampton Station.

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.

A walk between Saxmundham and Darsham along the East Suffolk Line Walk. It is Yoxford that gives us the name of this walk which is part of the East Suffolk Line Walks and this specific ramble extends the line walk to return to Leiston where a regular bus service connects the two ends. Yoxford sits on the banks of the River Yox surrounded by three country house parks; Sibton Park that contains large well stocked fishing lake; Grove Park situated in the village; and Rookery Park on the Leiston road. This has earned Yoxford the name of the 'Garden of Suffolk'. The whole route of this walk is a pleasant amble through the rural fields of Suffolk with a return journey through the pretty country lanes following the Minsmere river through to Middleton, Theberton and finally Leiston.

A circular walk around the Suffolk town of Saxmundham using the Town Trail that can be added onto the East Suffolk Line Walks or to while away a couple of hours on a lazy afternoon, including searching out the unique tombstone sundial in St Johns churchyard, and finding the haunted Monks Cottages.

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.

Circular Walk between Saxmundham and the village of Rendham, across the Suffolk countryside with a worthy stop off at the White Horse pub at Rendham. Woodland, open fields, babbling brooks make this typical of this part of Suffolk. And there is history too, with the Roman bronze head being discovered in the river at Rendham back in 1907. How did it get there?

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.

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.

A walk along the Angles Way between Earsham and Beccles heading up the hills that overlook Outney Common. This is a really rewarding start to an easy ramble that continues across the Waveney Valley to Mettingham before continuing down the Waveney Valley. Although Geldeston is on the opposite side of the river to The Angles Way the excursion across the Shipmeadow marshes is well worth the effort to visit the unique Geldeston Locks Inn.

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.

The Sailors’ Path follows a beautiful route between Snape Maltings and Aldeburgh. The Path is named because sailors would walk the path between Aldeburgh and Snape.

The Sailors’ Path follows a beautiful route between Snape Maltings and Aldeburgh. The Path is named because sailors would walk the path between Aldeburgh and Snape.

The Sailors’ Path follows a beautiful route between Snape Maltings and Aldeburgh. The Path is named because sailors would walk the path between Aldeburgh and Snape.

The River Alde is little more than a stream until it nears Snape Maltings. Here the river becomes tidal and it broadens into a wide estuary. It’s a place of glistening mud and open water, filled twice a day by the incoming tide and rich in wildlife.

This walk follows paths across wild Suffolk heathland and through mysterious woodland. You will encounter ancient habitats, old twisted pine trees, hidden glades and commercial forestry

A walk along the Suffolk Coast Path between Snape and Felixstowe This is the most remote section of the Suffolk Coast Path and follows the Butley River down to Shingle Street and then continues along the coast to the ferry at Bawdsey. There is an eerie sense of foreboding when walking this section. The solitude. The windswept landscape. The distant silhouettes of the Orfordness Pagodas. The lonely river. One can walk virtually the entire distance without seeing a soul and the only company is the decaying remains of WWII defences and the looming martello towers from Napoleonic times. ⚠️Make sure you check the ferry timetables before you start the walk

Enjoy a wonderful walk on the banks of the River Alde.

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

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 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.

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.