Return to EADT Suffolk Walks
|
The old trackways and roads that have been by-passed by modern traffic provide ideal access to the quieter parts of the countryside. The green lanes around Stanton formed part of an ancient transport system, in use before the age of steam and the motor car, connecting the hamlets and villages with the produce markets in the area. On this walk you will pass several interesting countryside features such as Wyken (pronounced Wicken) Hall Vineyards, Stanton Windmill, and a former wartime air base. The old drove roads and lanes are now deserted and used mainly for farm access, many of them have interesting names including Posters Lane, Packlose Lane, Kings Lane, Pig Lane and Wash Lane, their origins leave much to the imagination! From the recreation ground car park turn right along Bury Road to the War Memorial at the village centre, then right again along The Street. Opposite the Cock Inn, turn right up Bury Lane, past Stanton Primary School. Continue along the lane, past the Bowls Club and speed derestriction signs where the Tarmac surface of the road is replaced by a stoney track. After Doctors Hall and Stanton Manor the track becomes an unsurfaced unclassified road (green lane) through Half Grove Wood. Exit out onto Wyken Road and turn left past Kiln Wood, ignoring the turning to Stanton on the left and continuing on towards Wyken Hall. At the first sharp right bend in the road, walk straight on along the track through Wyken Hall Farm, with the buildings on the right and Dovehouse Wood on the left. Wyken Hall's Leaping Hare restaurant, cafe and vineyards are on the other side of the buildings on the right. If you are visiting just continue along the road and then left along the hall drive before returning back to the walk route through the farm complex. Walk along the track straight through the farm and at a fork by the field, bear right on a muddy section of track along the edge. Follow the track all around the right side of the field and, at the far end follow the track left along the edge of Rushgreen Grove and then right between a hedge and the edge of the wood. This section is a little narrow in places and is sometimes muddy where it has been churned up by the horses. At the end of the wooded section the path opens out into a wide grass lane called Posters Lane. Half way along there is a left turn where a short cut can be made back to Stanton along Packlose Lane if required. Continue on down Posters Lane to a junction at the bottom, turn left on the wide grass track leading up past Potash Farm to reach Readings Lane, the road to Walsham-Le-Willows. Turn left for a few yards and then left again through a gap in the trees, on a short section between wire fences and a well kept tree lined green lane beyond. Note the large mound to the right which was part of the Shepherds Grove airfield, the large mounds of surplus soil on these airfields were often used for ground testing the aircraft guns. Remnants of the former war time air base can be seen on various sections of this walk between here and Stanton Mill. The track soon enters a narrow section between hedges, trees and ditches and at the end, crosses a wide bridge to give access to a wide field edge path straight ahead. There are some good views over the surrounding countryside from here, directly ahead on the horizon, the top of Stanton windmill can be seen above the trees. Follow the field edge down to meet Wash Lane a crossing track. Turn right and, if the track is extremely wet, use the high bank of the field edge to reach the corner, following the track to the left to reach the Upthorpe Road. Turn left at Upthorpe Road on the roadside footway towards Stanton. Pass the windmill and walk down into Stanton, at the main road junction turn left along Bury Road past Foundry House to return to the war memorial in the village centre. Continue on along Bury Road to return to the start at the recreation ground car park. InformationLocation: Stanton is 25 miles north east of Ipswich and 9 miles north east of Bury St. EdmundsStart: Ordnance Survey map reference TL964735 Length: 5½ Conditions: Track, field and roadside footway, often muddy in parts How to get there: - Public Transport: For details telephone Suffolk County Council's Public Transport TraveLine - 0870 6082608 By Road: From A14 Junction 47 at Woolpit follow A1088 to Ixworth and then A143(Diss) to Stanton Car parking: Free parking at Village Hall and Recreation Ground car park Refreshments: Pubs and shops in the village, restaurant at Wyken Hall Public Toilets: Recreation ground Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 230 Diss and Harleston, East Harling and Stanton Information: Wyken Hall Vineyard Restaurant, Country Store and Cafe open 10am. to 6pm. daily, Garden 2pm. to pm. Sunday to Friday Telephone 01359 250287 Stanton Windmill is open on Sundays from Easter to September 10am. to 4pm. or at other times by arrangement. All enquiries to Mill Cottage tel. 01359 25062 Leaflet: Stanton Country Rides leaflet - 18 miles of path for riders and walkers in 3 circuits. Available from Suffolk County Council - 20 p + s.a.e.
Map
EADT Suffolk Walks
Home Page
|