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I have been producing walks for the EADT Suffolk Magazine for the past 5 years and recently decided to end the series with a walk in my home village of Bentley. Our circular walk is 31/2 miles around the outside edges of the village with short cuts back to the centre like spokes of a wheel. Most of the route is off road with one short cross field section, the walk has now become well established with wide paths and tracks and a variety of countryside to see. The name Bentley means a clearing with bent grass, the countryside here was once heavily wooded and there were no doubt many clearings made by man to provided land for his agricultural needs. Unfortunately the Great Storm in 1987 cleared many of the remaining trees and the efforts to replant will be seen on this walk. Once you get started you will find the walk is well marked with yellow circular walk arrows and sign posts to guide you in either direction around the circuit. There are also several opportunities to short cut back to the village if you only want a shorter walk. From the Case is Altered walk down Case Lane, past the playing field and out into open country. The path soon becomes a track, when you reach a signposted junction, turn left and follow the connecting track across the fields out to the Capel Road. Cross the road with care and enter the path at the side of a large wooden gate, along a surfaced drive and then at the side of a wire fence to reach a sunken lane. This is called Cut Throat Lane and I leave it to your imagination to decide why it got the name. Follow the old lane through the trees in the valley, ignoring any side turnings, and up into Holly Wood. Continue through the woods on the wide track and turn left on the footpath, marked with a sign post, along the edge of the first field after the trees and out to the East Bergholt Road. Turn right to the three way junction and then left along Hazel Shrub. On the right is Dodnash Wood, taking its name from the 12th century Augustine Priory that once existed in the adjoining valley. This wood is filled with bluebells during May and well worth a special visit. At the corner by Woodview turn left on the bridleway across the field and then right at an oak tree on the footpath to the right of the hedge. Follow this path over three stiles in two meadows and then between fences to emerge onto Grove Road. If you require a shortcut turn left to return to the village centre. Otherwise turn right and follow the road around a left bend, continuing straight on at the next right bend, walking along the rear of the houses of Silver Leys. At the corner continue straight ahead across the field to reach a gap in the hedge leading out to Station Road. Turn right down the hill and across the railway, once the terminus of the Hadleigh branch line. After passing the former Station Master's house take the field edge path on the left after the next house. This path will lead you to two stiles at a crossing point on the railway, make sure you stop, look and listen before crossing as the trains travel at up to 100 m.p.h. on this section. Once safely over, the path continues between fences up the hill towards Falstaff Manor. At a large oak tree turn left and follow the track out to Church Road. Cross the road and continue down Potash Lane, straight on through Grove Farm where, if the gate is shut you will find a gap for pedestrians and leading out through the farm and track to the open fields again. After the first bend follow the track and path back to Case Lane and the start of the walk at the Case is Altered. The Case is Altered pub serves a good selection of beers, wines and spirits and has earned a good reputation for its food. A word of advice though, it is wise to book in advance just in case they are busy, the food is quite popular and the pub sometimes gets full. Sunday lunch is particularly good value but should be booked as numbers are limited, walkers are made most welcome (but don`t forget to remove or cover your boots if they are muddy). InformationLocation: Bentley is 6 miles south west of IpswichStart: The Case is Altered, Bentley, OS map reference TM 108369 Length: 3 1/2 miles Conditions: Field edge, road, tracks and meadow, 5 stiles How to get there:- Public transport: For details telephone Suffolk County Council's Public Information TraveLine - 08706 082608 By Road: From Ipswich A12 south, 1 mile from Capel St. Mary, or A137 south, 1 mile from Tattingstone Car Parking Village Hall car park when not in use or Pub car park (for customers), otherwise roadside parking (but not on verges please) Refreshments: Case is Altered pub (Tel. 01473 310282 to book meals) or A12 services Public Toilets: None Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 197 Ipswich, Felixstowe and Hadleigh Internet: Bentley Parish Council - http://www.bentley.suffolk.gov.uk Case is Altered - http://www.caseisalteredbentley.co.uk Suffolk Country Walks - http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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