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This is a circular walk at Bury St. Edmunds linking the parks at Nowton and Hardwick Heath on the outskirts of the town, each with good access and visitor facilities. Here then is a country walk with a difference, the parks of Nowton and Hardwick Heath were once the grounds of two grand family houses and there is a remarkable array of large trees, particularly cedar, copper beech and lime, with formal ponds and avenues. But don't forget that this is a country walk, part of the route is across muddy fields and along grassy tracks, the route is not all mowed parkland and surfaced paths. If that is what you are expecting just visit the two parks independently, and explore for yourself. From the car park and visitor centre at Nowton Park walk out through the main entrance gate and turn right along the Nowton Road on the roadside footway. Opposite Plovers Way turn left on the track marked as a bridleway, through a gateway and up the drive to Breckey Ley. Where the drive turns left at a flint cottage continue straight on as the track narrows through the trees parallel to a road, and then again ignore a second turn left, to emerge onto the drive to Hardwick Middle School. Where the drive bears off left to the school, cross to the path along the backs of the houses on the right, following this between hedges and alongside a field. Close to where the field edge path bears left, turn right through a wide conifer hedge lined gap between the houses to reach Home Farm Lane. Turn right on the roadside footway to eventually reach the edge of Hardwick Heath Park on the left. Cross a footbridge into the park and follow the path ahead across the grass to reach the car park. Hardwick Heath was owned by the Cullum family, unfortunately their house, which dominated the park, was demolished in the 1920s. From the car park turn left past the Ranger Block and toilets and out to continue the walk on the track that is an extension of the access road, following a line of three large cedar trees. Continue on this stoney track and past the pond on the left. The section of concrete track is a remnant of the POW camp that was built here in WWII. Walk into an enclosed tree lined section as far as the first gap with an access path left and right. Turn left into a large grassy area and bear right following the path to the the far left corner of the field, just past the last house on the left. Exit via a wooden barrier to a field edge path on the right along the woods. At the corner of the field continue ahead through the trees to Hencote Lane. Cross the lane to a cross field path ahead and walk to the other side to a junction with a crossing path by a tree lined pond. Turn left to reach the edge of the field and the end of a grassy track by another tree lined pond. Follow the track (if flooded use the field edge bank) out to the road. Turn right for about 200 metres to the next turning left at the end of the wood. This is Cooper Lane and leads into Nowton and the junction with Nowton Road where you will find the village sign. This depicts an oak tree after the Oakes family who once owned Nowton Park. Turn right for about 50 metres and cross the road to a gate marked Private, enter the park through the small pedestrian gate at the side. In the park follow the posts with yellow rings around the tops and circular walk waymark arrows. Bear left into the trees on a well defined path around the pond to the red brick Nowton Court once the home of the Oakes family. Follow the path right past the front of the building and then left under a cedar tree, continuing on the trail as it meanders through the trees at the back of the house. Pass the Arch and Font folly, remnants rebuilt from a local church in the 1850s. Continue on the path to eventually reach a gate, under the low branches of a tree, giving access out to a drive. Turn left on the drive for a short distance and then right down a wonderful wide grassy avenue of tall lime trees where, in spring, there is a dazzling display of daffodils. Turn left over the arched brick bridge to return to the start of the walk at the car park. InformationLocation: Bury St Edmunds is 27 miles northwest of IpswichStart: Nowton Park car park Ordnance Survey map reference TL 865617, alternative start from Hardwick Heath car park OS map reference TL 854627 Length: 4 miles Conditions: Parkland, track, road and cross field (could be muddy), no stiles How to get there:- Public Transport: Suffolk County Council's Public Transport information traveline - 0870 6082608 By road: From A14 Bury St. Edmunds East exit (J44) into south of town, follow signs for Nowton Park (along Nowton Road) Car Parking: Free at Nowton Park, pay and display at Hardwick Heath Refreshments: Nowton Park at weekends and school holidays. Mace Bearer pub and a wide range of shops at the junction of Home Farm Lane and Hardwick Lane Public Toilets: Nowton Park and Hardwick Heath Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 211 Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket Information: Park Opening - 8.30 am to dusk, Park Ranger Centre tel. 01284 763666, Tourist Information Centre tel. 01284 763667 Internet: - Nowton Park - http://www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/sebc/play/nowtonpark.cfm Hardwick Heath Park - http://www.stedmundsbury.gov.uk/sebc/play/hardwickheath.cfm Suffolk Country Walks - http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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