Return to EADT Suffolk Walks
|
Norton is situated on the A1088 road between Woolpit and Ixworth and takes its name from the Old English Nortuna or North Farmstead, a fair description of the land use around the parish today. The Domesday Book records that Norturna was King's land, kept by Godric. About 500 years later Henry VIII brought Cornish miners here to search for gold, but they were unsuccessful. From the Village Hall car park walk back to the A1088 road and note the village sign standing on the corner. This depicts a decorated Iron Age horse harness mount found in the village and is a record of the presence of man here for over 2000 years (see the small plaque on the post). Turn left along the roadside footway, passing a red telephone box, the old village forge and The Norton Dog public house. At the cross roads turn right along Heath Road for about 200 metres and then right along Hawe's Lane into the open countryside. Some of the houses on Heath Road are built on small plots of land that were given to the villagers at the time of the Enclosure Act of 1814 in lieu of grazing rights on the heathland. At Bury Road turn left to cross the River Blackbourne, and at the end of the trees, turn right over a small footbridge. Continue along a wide grassy path along the edge of the woodland and into an area of parkland adjacent to Little Haugh Hall. Walk straight ahead between large oaks across an open area of grass to reach a footbridge over the river. Note the rather grand summer house or folly to the right, the inscription reads 'Ceci n'est pas une banque' (this is not a bank), a rather unusual feature to find in the Suffolk countryside. Also, beware of aircraft crossing the route of the path, a warning sign is displayed close to the footbridge. At the time of my visit a very noisy helicopter came in to land close to the hall and then took off again, skimming across this section of grass. Little Haugh Hall was originally a three-storied Tudor red brick house when it became the home of Cox Marco (1683-1767), chaplain to George II. He was a member of the rich Bury St. Edmunds family whose home was Cupola House in the Traverse. Macro carried out extensive alterations and improvements to the hall, richly finishing the interior with wall murals, wood carvings and decorative plaster work. In the 1830s the house was given its present Georgian appearance. Cross either the footbridge (slippery wood, two stiles) or the cart bridge, walking straight ahead on the path with a wire fence on the left and a ditch on the right. Pass through a kissing gate and then emerge out onto the A1088 road again (short-cut right if required). Turn left on the roadside footway for about 100 metres and then right along Hall's Lane. Follow the lane around the bends and then along the concrete drive towards Hall's Farm. Where the drive bends to the left, turn right through the gateway and left along the wide grassy field edge path with the hedge on the left. Walk on through two fields and, at the corner, turn right, first on the right of the ditch and then after about 100 metres on the left, heading towards the Old Rectory and Saint Andrew's Church in the trees ahead. A small sign advises that 'The edges of our field are sown with wild flowers, plants and grasses to create wildlife friendly habitats'. At the corner of the field bear right and cross a small square of grass, heading diagonally towards the opposite corner, close to a small seat. Bear left and follow the wide section of grass between the hedges, turning left at the end through the car parking area. Make for the end of Church Lane by a set of white railings and at the end of an avenue of lime trees leading up to Saint Andrew's Church. The church is known for its late 14th century stalls with carved armrests and its 15th century font. Turn right along the lane towards the village to emerge onto The Street. Turn right to return to the centre of the village at the crossroads on the A1088 road. Turn right along the roadside footway to return to the village hall car park. After the last house on the right look out for a small gate on the right giving access to the playing field. Follow the fence around the rear of the children's play area to return to the start of the walk at the Village Hall. InformationLocation: Norton is 19 miles north west of Ipswich and 6 miles east of Bury St. EdmundsStart: Norton Village Hall - Ordnance Survey map reference TL 957659 Length: 3 miles (short cut available) Conditions: Road, footway, tracks, parkland and field edge, two stiles (can be avoided), muddy when wet How to get there: - Road Route: From Ipswich west on A14 or from Bury St Edmunds east on A14 to follow A1088 (J47) to Norton village hall, just north of village centre Public Transport: Tel. Suffolk County Council's Public Transport Information traveline - 0870 6082608 Car parking: Free at Norton village hall Refreshments: The Dog public house Public Toilets: None Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 211 Bury St. Edmunds and Stowmarket Internet: Suffolk Country Walks - http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk St Andrew's Church - http://www.simonknott.co.uk/norton.htm
Map
EADT Suffolk Walks
Home Page
|