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The village of Thurston is well served with opportunities for access, situated east of Bury St. Edmunds, just north of the A14 Trunk Road and one of the few communities with its own active railway station. The walk passes the old railway station building and halt that now serves the area, making a good start point for those arriving by train (see text). The village is the centre of a large thriving community with many facilities, including pubs and shops for refreshment. Start the walk from the Cavendish Hall close to the church. The hall was given to Thurston in memory of William Tyrell Cavendish who was one of the passengers to go down on the Titanic. Turn left up past the church of St. Peter's, rebuilt in 1860 after the tower collapsed, one modern window was also more recently provided when an American Flying Fortress crashed with a full bomb load and blew the window in. Note also the village sign on the opposite side of the road, topped with the Thedwastre Oak, the symbol of the old Thedwastre Hundred whose elders were reputed to have met beneath the tree in the area of New Green. Just before the derestriction signs turn left across the field on a well defined and partly surfaced path to the road. Across the fields to the right the unusual 14th century octagonal tower of Pakenham church can be seen. Turn left and walk along the road with care around the bend and on to reach the cross roads by the Victoria pub. Turn right along Meadow Lane, passing a number of flint cottages on the left, and on at the end along the grassy path ahead between shady hedges. At the end of the old lane turn right across a footbridge and then diagonally left across the field, heading to the right of three willow trees. Continue on the path through the trees with a fence on the right, over a small footbridge and on between the trees to a kissing gate into a meadow. There may be cattle here at times, turn left through the narrow section of the grassland on the path to the left of Skeleton Plantation, aiming for another kissing gate at the end to reach Sheep Lane. Turn left along the stoney track with Coronation Belt on the left, crossing the Ixworth Road with care and walking on past Millfields to reach Mill Lane at the end. Turn left down the narrow lane, taking to the verge wherever possible when traffic approaches. Follow the lane down hill to reach the Barton Road and then turn left along the roadside footway on the long straight into the village centre. After passing the Post Office Stores on the right, the railway bridge ahead marks the end of the road. At the road junction by the Fox and Hounds pub turn left up Station Hill, the old red brick station building is still standing on the right. Designed by Frederick Barnes, who was also responsible for Stowmarket and Needham Market stations, the building no longer provides access to the platforms and is now a printing works. The formal opening of the Eastern Union's Ipswich to Bury St. Edmunds line took place on the 7th December 1846 when a special train from London, with two engines and a brass band, arrived at Bury to be met by the mayor and provided with a banquet. Continue on a little further up the hill to pass the entrance to the platforms and the alternative start point for walkers arriving by train. There are about 10 trains a day during the week and 5 on Sundays, providing access from Ipswich and Cambridge. Walk on up Station Hill but turn right through a staggered metal barrier, just before reaching New Green. Follow the Tarmac footway past the right side of the New Green Community Centre and then the cast iron National Cycle Network signpost. At the end by another barrier, continue ahead along School Road to Thurston Primary School. Bear left at the school and, at the end of the road, continue straight on along the walkway between trees and garden fences with the playing field and Cavendish Hall on the right. Turn right at the end of the path by the church and village sign to return to the start of the walk at Cavendish Hall. InformationLocation: Thurston is 4 miles east of Bury St. Edmunds and 19 miles west of IpswichStart: Cavendish Hall, Thurston, Ordnance Survey map reference TL928651 Length: 3½ miles Conditions: Road and footway, tracks and grassy paths, there may be cattle in meadows How to get there:- Public Transport: Check for details with Suffolk County Council's Public Transport Information TraveLine 0870 6082608 Road Route: Turn off the A14 at junction 46 and follow the signs for Thurston, on Thurston Road look out for a right turn signposted to Cavendish Hall and Church Car Parking: Free at Cavendish Hall or elsewhere at the roadside within the village Refreshments: Two local pubs and a village post office stores Public Toilets: None Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 211 Bury St. Edmunds and Stowmarket Internet: Thurston - http://www.thurston-village.co.uk Suffolk Country walks - http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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