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Hoxne is a picturesque village lying on the northern Suffolk border and bounded by the rivers Waveney and Dove. The legend of St. Edmund has been associated with Hoxne for over 800 years, he is believed to have been captured and killed here by the Danes in 870. A nearby field contains a stone cross commemorating the site of his martyrdom. From St. Edmund's Hall cross the Goldbrook Bridge, legendary site of St. Edmund's capture and follow Low Street right into the village. After crossing a tributary of the River Dove and passing the 15th century Swan Inn, walk up the path on the right to the Post Office Stores. From the red telephone box walk up past the many picturesque houses around the green. Follow the path up Church Hill to St. Peter & St. Paul's Church and the Stradbroke Road. Built mainly from 1350 to 1500 in perpendicular style with a fine tower erected in 1450. It Contains 14th century wall paintings discovered in 1926, a large seven-locked 14th century treasure chest, displays of local history, archaeology, and the St Edmund legend. Turn right and note the old almshouses across the road dating from 1844 and walk on as far as Water Mill Lane. Turn left down the lane, taking the right turn at a junction by a concrete hard standing, staying on the Tarmac lane. At the mill turn sharp right by a large conifer tree to pass through a gap at the side of a 5 bar gate. Follow the concrete track around to the left past a number of old buildings to reach a gap at the side of a second 5 bar gate. Bear right and follow the field edge around a new house to reach the access track. Turn right following the track out to the road and right again to reach the Stradbroke Road. Turn left, around the bend using the roadside verge and then right into Wittons Lane. Walk down the lane and across the River Dove tributary to reach the entrance to the 17 acre Brakey Wood. This was planted in 1999/2000 as a joint project between the Woodland Trust and Hoxne Parish as a Millennium project. Take the left hand path, passing a seat and a large carving of a Paleolithic man, complete with spear and flint axe, to reach a stile close to the sewage works. Continue on along the field edge path ahead, noting the turning right that provides a short cut back to the start if required. Continue straight along the field edge path ahead. The field to the right contains St Edmund's monument (reputed site of his martyrdom) that can be reached via a path from the road. The 16th century Abbey Farm, built on the site of Hoxne Priory can also be seen. The path eventually passes through some trees to emerge at Red Lion Corner in Cross Street. Turn left and then right into Nuttery Vale passing the old well on the corner. Walk along the lane for about 300 metres and turn right by a footpath sign denoting a path between the houses. Pass through a kissing gate and turn left along the field edge, following right and then left into the next field between fence and hedge. After crossing a stile turn right along the Goldbrook and then left across a footbridge leading to a path up across the field to join the Eye Road near an ancient oak tree. Turn right towards Hoxne, passing Banhams' former brick works that once supplied bricks for the many houses and ornamental brick walls in the village. This is also the site where flint axes were first recognised as man made by John Frere in 1791, made by early Paleolithic man 400,000 years ago. The fabulous Hoxne Hoard of Roman gold and silver coins, jewellery and many precious artefacts was also found close to here in 1992. As you approach the 30 m.p.h. signs, on the left is the Victorian walled kitchen garden, once part of Oakley Park. The main hall was demolished in the 1920s but the old stable block has recently been renovated as a private house. At the road junction turn right to return to Goldbrook Bridge and the start of the walk. InformationLocation: Hoxne is 23 miles north of Ipswich, 3 miles east of the A 140Start: St Edmunds Hall TM 179769 Length: 3 1/2 miles Conditions: Road and roadside footway, track and field (one cross field path), 2 stiles, (could be muddy when wet) How to get there: - Public Transport: Suffolk County Council's Public Transport information traveline - 0870 6082608 By road: A 140 north, turn right on B 1118 before reaching Norfolk border Car Parking: Free at St Edmund's Hall (Hoxne village hall) Refreshments: The Swan public house, tel 01379 66827 and Hoxne Post Office Stores Public Toilets: None Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 230 Diss and Harleston Information: Free Leaflet - Hoxne Circular Walk available locally, from TICs etc. and download from the Discover Suffolk website (below) Internet links: - Discover Suffolk - http://www.discoversuffolk.org.uk Swan Inn: http://www.hoxneswann.co.uk Hoxne Parish Council - http://www.onesuffolk.co.uk/HoxnePC Hoxne pictures - http://www.suffolkcam.co.uk/hoxne25052002.htm Woodland Trust - http://www.wt-woods.org.uk/brakeywood Suffolk Country Walks - http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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