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This walk starts from Anglian Water's Alton Reservoir car park and visitor centre and leads all around the area below the dam. There are many splendid views across the River Stour and of the Royal Hospital School as you walk completely around it. If you need a short cut you can use the footway alongside the road to Stutton passing through the centre of the Hospital School. From the Visitor Centre set out to the right along the access road past the Sailing and Water Sports Centre and on to turn left across the dam. Construction was completed in 1976 and was officially opened by the Princess Royal in 1987. The reservoir has a capacity of 200 million gallons, covers 390 acres and provides drinking water for Ipswich and the south east corner of Suffolk. The reservoir is now a main centre for recreation with a footpath and cycleway around the perimeter and all types of water based activities available. After crossing the white bridge over the lake overflow follow the fence and path on the right down between two wire fences. The path passes around the edges of the water treatment plant and along the valley bottom towards Holbrook Mill. Do not take the path up to the left unless you want to visit Holbrook village as an extension to your walk. There you will find village pubs and shops, including a Tea Shop and a pub with dining facilities. The path will eventually reach a low stile and then pass through a cricket bat willow plantation before reaching the road via another stile and gate. Turn right along the roadside footway and a boardwalk past Holbrook Mill to the bottom of Primrose Hill. For a short cut, continue up the hill to reach the main entrance to the reservoir. Otherwise, take the footpath off to the left, well marked with a green footpath signpost directing you to the River Stour. This is the Mill Stream Path which provides a variety of wildlife habitats along its length and, after crossing a number of stiles, leads to Holbrook Creek and Wall Farm Wharf. Turn right when you reach the track at the creek and around the rear of a sailing club boat house. Turn left off the track up onto the seawall path marked with a public footpath sign. This path provides wonderful views of the wildlife of the mudflats, also note the wooden remains of the old barge wharfs. The creek provides safe anchorage for small boats whilst across the River Stour there is a wonderful view of the Essex bank over a mile away. Inland there is a superb panorama of the Royal Hospital School, originally founded in 1694 at Greenwich, for the sons of officers and men of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. In 1935, the school moved from Greenwich to Holbrook after Mr Gifford Sherman Reade (1846-1926) had donated the site from his estate in appreciation for the work done by the Royal Navy in the First World War. The school is dominated by a clock tower 200 feet high, designed by Buckland and Haywood in neo-Georgian style. The seawall eventually turns inland and, just before the end, look out for a set of steps down to the right. This leads to a gap in the trees, a wooden footbridge and a path along the rails at the edge of a paddock. At the end of the paddock turn left into a pretty hedged path leading to Markwell's Farm. Continue past the farm and straight on across a section of grass to the trees on the other side. Turn left at the footpath sign at the other side to follow the path and drive up to Stutton Church. The tower and nave of Stutton's St. Peter's church are mainly 15th century, but the remainder of the building was dramatically restored by the Victorians between 1860 and 1879. The access road to the church provides an ideal alternative start point for the walk if preferred. Walk up the road past the church and turn right at the first junction by a barn. This lane will lead you out onto the main Holbrook Road close to the Hospital School houses. Turn left along the footway to the reservoir main entrance and then right down the access road to return to the start. InformationLocation: Holbrook is 7 miles south of IpswichStart: Alton Water Visitor Centre Ordnance Survey map reference TM 156353 Length: 41/2 miles (short cut available via road) Conditions: Can be muddy, some road walking, 5 stiles How to get there: - Public Transport: For details telephone Suffolk County Council's Public Transport TraveLine - 0870 6082608 Road Route: From Ipswich on B1456 and B1080 to Stutton Car Parking: Pay and Display £1 in winter and £2 in summer Refreshments: Visitor Centre or local pubs and shops in Holbrook and Stutton Toilets: At the Visitor Centre Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 197 Ipswich, Felixstowe and Harwich Information: Visitor Centre Open 11 am. to 4 pm. (not all season)
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