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The Stour Valley is a favourite place for walkers with fine views across the valley to Essex, especially on days when the weather is fine, and provides the huge skies that inspired John Constable to paint. The village of Stratford St. Mary is off the main road now but was once a main crossing point for the Roman Road north from Colchester (Comulodunum). We are reminded today of that crossing in the meaning of the village's name, (Strat - Street or Road and Ford - river crossing). Although this walk starts in Suffolk, the paths are on the Essex side of the river. Start from the site of the old mill between the Black Horse and Swan pubs, leaving the road on the walkway at the mill and across the concrete bridge over two levels of water to reach a stile leading out into the pasture beyond. The second channel you cross with the lower level of water is the route taken by the old barges as they plied up and down the river carrying their cargoes between Sudbury and Cattawade. Higher up the river and out of site in the trees is the remains of Stratford lock. Walk diagonally right across the meadow to a stile in the corner and then follow the willow lined path along the river bank. Before the river bends to the right follow the path left through a gateway into the adjoining field, and then right, walking along the field edges to reach the track leading to Broom House. Continue straight on along the track between hedges and, at the first right bend, continue straight on across the field ahead. At the hedge on the far side, pass through a gateway and walk straight on across the next field to the road leading up from the the water pumping station and the river. Continue straight on along the road ahead and around the left bend past Low Lift Cottages, walking uphill now, away from the river on this quiet gently sloping tree lined road. Continue on past the first turning on the right and then turn left at the next junction, on the stony track by the side of a new red brick bungalow. At a junction in the tracks bear left and, after about 25 metres, look out for a stile nearly hidden in the thick hedge on the right, leading to a footbridge and stile giving access to a meadow. A notice says Beware of Bull and, although there were cattle in the field at the time of writing, I saw no sign of the bull. However, be alert and cross to another stile and footbridge to the left of the wood on the other side. Continue along the field edge ahead and past the first wood and then continuing past Primrose Wood to the corner of the field. Continue in the next field, now to the right of the hedge as far as a crossing track. To visit St Mary's Church at Langham turn right up the track, using the shady right hand track through the woods to emerge at Church Farm and Langham Church. Although John Constable was born in East Bergholt, he married his childhood sweetheart Maria Bicknell at Langham Church in October 1816 and the church is the subject of several of his works. Close to the church lychgate, pause to read the inscription on the wall of the Poor Girls School, erected by Dr. James Hurlock who was Curate from 1803 to 1831 and Rector from 1831 to 1832. In the porch of the church there is a charming old cast iron sign that may have come from the very steep Gun Hill nearby. It reads 'Dumb Animals Humble Petition. Rest, driver rest on this steep hill. Dumb beasts pray, use will, all good will. Do not scourge, not with thonged whips. Let not one curse escape your lips, God sees and hears. T.T.H. Posuit.' To return to the walk route, continue back down the track through the woods, emerging out to a fine view across the valley. At the hedge at the bottom turn right to rejoin the route along the right side of the hedge and, at the corner of the field, turn left on a grass track between the trees. When you reach the end of the trees and an open area of grass, turn right across a cart bridge, over a stile, and head across the pasture to the stile and concrete footbridge at the starting point on the other side at Stratford Mill. Fact FileLocation: Stratford St Mary is 10 miles south west of IpswichStart: Stratford St. Mary Mill, Ordnance Survey map reference TM042340 Length: 3 miles Conditions: Riverside, meadows with livestock, road, track and cross field sections, 6 stiles How to get there: - Public Transport: For full details telephone the County Council's Public Transport Information TraveLine - 08459 583358 By Road: From Ipswich south on A12 to the Dedham and Stratford turn off. Follow the road past the church into the village centre Car Parking: Roadside by the river at the old mill Refreshments: The Black Horse, Swan and Anchor pubs and the village PO Stores Public Toilets: None (nearest in Dedham or Flatford) Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 196 Sudbury, Hadleigh & Dedham Vale Walking on the web: http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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