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The pretty villages of Suffolk provide picture post card scenes for visitors to browse through and admire and the walk this month is at Chelsworth, a village with an abundance of thatched cottages and pink washed walls just waiting for a photograph to be taken. For a potted history of the village we need look no further than the village sign that carries a plaque with the following. Edgar, king and ruler of all Britain, gave this village to his stepmother Aethelfaed in the year 962 AD. Edgar's Latin Charter (Suffolk's oldest) names the village as Ceorleswyrthe, translated as "Churl's home", and in the Anglo Saxon script describes its boundaries, still the same today. In later years the name became Chellsworth and then Chelsworth. The walk starts in the heart of the village at the Peacock Inn, cross the road to the junction and walk across the red brick bridge over the River Brett. Follow the road round to the right and left and then turn left on a public footpath between brick wall and fence at the side of Bridge House. This may be a little overgrown with summer growth, but soon leads to a stile giving access out to the meadows. There are likely to be livestock in these fields, please take great care to keep dogs under close control and leave all gates as you found them. Chelsworth Meadows comprise an area of land alongside the River Brett linking the villages of Semer, Bildeston and Chelsworth. Wander through this attractive valley with its traditional wet grazing meadows and explore the diversity of habitats and opportunities to enjoy the associated wildlife. Follow the hedge along the right edge and at the end pass through a gateway with a small stile in the left corner into the next section of meadow. Continue along the right hedge again to eventually reach a small gate in the fence at the right corner. Follow the path up the hill between fence and hedge to enter a path through the woodland. The path may be a little muddy at times, especially after rain on the section after the wood, but it is possible to walk on the bank in places. Walk on up through the old sunken lane to reach the road at Chelsworth Common. Turn right along the road to the first junction, if a short cut is required, ignore the left turn and walk straight on down the hill to Chelsworth village. For the main walk turn left along the road marked to Lindsey and Boxford and on the next left bend, just before a cream thatched cottage, continue straight on along the wide grass path at the right edge of the field ahead. At the corner of the field pass through a gap in the hedge and out to the main A1141 road from Hadleigh to Lavenham at Clayhill. Turn right and walk down the hill, taking extreme care to use the roadside verge for refuge whenever traffic approaches. As the road bends left at the bottom of the hill continue straight on into the lay-by and look out for a narrow path through the hedge on the right leading to a kissing gate with access to the meadows of Chelsworth Park. Bear diagonally left across the grass, heading for the higher ground surmounted by small hawthorn trees, and then to a kissing gate in the fence beyond by an ash tree. This leads to a small brick bridge over the River Brett, reputed to have been the main route from the village to Monks Eleigh in the past. Follow the path left out to The Street by the modern bridge and turn right through the village using the roadside footway. The former school stands on the left opposite the village sign just where the road bends to the right; by the next left bend, an access track past The Grange leads to the church. The Norman church of All Saints contains a Doom, a wall painting of the Last Judgement, discovered over the chancel arch in 1829. It ranks highly amongst the surviving church murals of the 15th century, although it was partly restored upon discovery. A second mural was also discovered over the western arch but has disappeared and all that remains is a contemporary drawing hanging in the church. Continue along The Street to return to the start of the walk at the Peacock Inn. InformationLocation: Chelsworth is 13 miles east of Ipswich, 5 miles northwest of HadleighStart: Peacock Inn, Ordnance Survey map reference TL982480 Length: 3 miles Conditions: Road and roadside footway, meadow and field paths, muddy at times, 2 stiles How to get there:- Public Transport: For details telephone Suffolk County Council’s Public Transport Information TraveLine 0870 6082608 Road Route: From Ipswich to Hadleigh on A1071, turn right on A1141 and B1115 to Bildeston, turning left at village for Chelsworth Car Parking: Roadside in village next to red telephone box, please park with care Refreshments: The Peacock Inn, otherwise in adjoining villages Public Toilets: None (nearest Hadleigh) Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 196 Sudbury, Hadleigh and Dedham Vale Internet: - All Saints Church - http://www.suffolkchurches.co.uk/chelsworth.htm Suffolk Country Walks - http:www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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