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Pin Mill is one of those idyllic Suffolk scenes that finds its way into most tourist publications, photo albums and onto chocolate box tops. But access can be quite difficult at times, the cul-de-sac lane down from the main road is quite narrow and the tiny pay and display car park soon gets filled with visitor's cars. This picturesque hamlet can get quite congested at times and may not always be quite so idyllic as the pictures on the postcards portray. However, the Chelmondiston Parish Council has come up with the answer in the form of a free car park in the main village at the top of Pin Mill Lane. At the rear of the car park of the Red Lion public house on Main Road there is ample free parking for those who wish to avoid the difficulties at Pin Mill and are prepared to visit on foot. The local bus service also stops close by and therefore this is the ideal place to start a walk around the area. A board at the car park has a map displaying all the local walks. You can either walk direct to Pin Mill or use this circular walk to make the riverside hamlet a halfway halt. In recent years The Red Lion pub was renamed The Venture to commemorate an old Pin Mill sailing barge. However, it has now reverted to its traditional name of Red Lion. The original Venture was blown up in the film 'Between the Lines' and all that remains is the transom, now preserved and displayed on the side wall of the pub. From the Red Lion turn right on the roadside footway along Main Road through Chelmondiston, passing the Methodist Church, Foresters Arms and the end of Pin Mill Lane. Turn left down Hill Farm Lane and at the farm, at a cross roads of tracks, turn right on the track across the open fields. Just before the track descends into the trees there is an opening on the left giving access to the National Trust's Cliff Plantation, an area of woodland paths that can be used to vary the route described here if required. Continue along the length of the track and down to a kissing gate on the drive to Clamp House, close to the river. Turn sharp left at a black barn at Clamp House, on a path up through the trees into Cliff Plantation. Follow the main path through the trees on the cliff top without turning off at the junctions, heading back towards Pin Mill. There are fine views in places across the river through gaps in the trees of Nacton opposite and up river of the Orwell Bridge. There is even a seat in a shady place to stop for a rest if required. Eventually the path passes through a kissing gate and along the rear of some houses before turning sharply right down some steps to Pin Mill Lane. Turn right on the lane towards the river front and the Butt and Oyster pub at the waters edge. First licensed in 1553 it has had plenty of time to get well established as a favourite with all those who visit this area. There are many tales of smuggling on the river and of outbreaks of the plague reckoned to have been brought ashore from the ship board rats. These tales abound along the length of this estuary, the last deaths due to the plague in this country were recorded here in 1918. Turn left on the track at the waters edge, first along the water front, then left inland past Pin Mill Sailing Club. At a junction by a double red brick garage, turn right between the trees. At a sharp left bend by a kissing gate continue on the path to the left and up into open countryside on a well worn field edge path. Pass a turning on the right and continue on the track to reach a tee junction, turn left towards Pages Common. After passing Longwood Cottage at Pages Common turn left along Church Lane, a narrow enclosed bridleway marked with a sign post in the trees. This leads to the village and opens out to a track near the houses. There is another fine view on the left from here, out over Pin Mill and the river. Cross Woodlands and Collimere Close and on towards the church. Turn right along Church Road to return to the start at the Red lion Public House. InformationLocation: Chelmondiston is 5 miles south east of IpswichStart Chelmondiston's Red Lion PH, Ordnance Survey map reference TM 204371 Length: 3 miles Conditions: Mainly tracks and well used paths, muddy after wet weather, no stiles How to get there: - Public Transport: For details telephone Suffolk County Council's Public Transport Information TraveLine - 0870 608 2 608 Road Route: From Ipswich Wherstead Road turn left on B1456 Shotley Road Car Parking: Free village car park at rear of Venture PH car park. Alternative pay and display (30p per hour) car park in Pin Mill Lane (soon gets full) Refreshments: Pubs and shops in Chelmondiston village, Butt and Oyster pub and chandlery shops at Pin Mill Public Toilets: At the end of Pin Mill Lane Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 197 Ipswich, Felixstowe and Harwich Internet: Suffolk Country Walks - http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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