Evening Star Walks|
Some of our villages often get overlooked, tucked away in the countryside
and off the beaten track. Great Wenham became a very busy place during
World War II when the American Air Force set up shop and flew their
warplanes from the nearby Raydon Airfield. The village of Great Wenham
was home to much of the domestic and administrative buildings of the
airfield and was virtually absorbed into the small town that was built
during those war years. Places with names such as Dodge City, Youngs
Town and Greenwich Village were well known to local people but, most
of that infrastructure has now gone. The village is more widely known
these days for the curries served up at the local Queens Head pub
although the outline of the airfield still remains, including some
of the technical buildings and hard-standings. The Public Rights of Way hereabouts are all well documented on the relevant OS maps but some may be little used and therefore not quite so easy to follow. The walk this week uses some of those little used paths and you may find them partly overgrown, it is therefore wise to carry a good map to supplement the accompanying map and this description. Please note that parts of the walk cross meadows usually occupied by sheep and cattle, including cows with calves, that may become agitated with your presence. Dogs should therefore be kept on leads and not allowed to disturb the farm animals, you should also keep a look out for any inquisitive livestock that may regard you as a threat. From the church gate turn left and walk to the end of the wall at the front of The Old Rectory and turn right over a pair of stiles to the meadow beyond. Bear diagonally left to a stile in the opposite corner of the field, leading through a gap in the hedge and across a ditch to the next field. Head for the left end of the hedge that can be seen on the opposite side of the field where there is an unused stile, probably brought into use when the field is occasionally sub-divided. Continue along the hedge line passing the stile on your right and, at the corner of the field, turn right over a stile into the next field. Walk straight ahead on the wide grass path now with the hedge on the left, heading towards Capel St. Mary across the valley. As the path, now a track, descends into the valley and through the trees you will reach a crossing track in the meadows beyond. Turn right along the well used access track, passing the picturesque thatched Keepers Cottage, and on along the edge of woodland. On reaching the end of the track and a metal gate into a meadow, continue on the path to the right of the wire fence. Sometimes this section is a little overgrown but often used by horses, at the end of the fence turn right on a well kept path, heading towards Wenham Hill. Walk straight on across the grass at the side of Wenham Hill house to reach the access drive and on down to reach Wenham Lane. Turn right along the lane for a few yards to cross the stream and then turn left on the bridleway along the edge of a section of rough ground. After about 250 metres the path turns right and up along the edge of an arable field to the next corner and then left along the top edge, heading due west. At the end of the field, pass through a gap in the hedge to the next field, continuing on for just under 100 metres to turn right through another gap in the hedge to the next field. Follow this field edge, with the hedge on the right, over the ridge and down to the corner, crossing the next narrow field to the track along the hedge on the other side. Turn right along the track, heading now for Great Wenham Church. Continue straight along the improving track to eventually emerge at the church and the start of the walk. Fact FileLocation: Great Wenham is 8 miles south west of IpswichStart: Great Wenham church, Ordnance Survey map reference TM 071381 Length: 3 miles Conditions: Meadow, tracks, field edge and road, 4 stiles How to get there:- Public Transport: For up to date travel information telephone the County Council’s Public Transport Information TraveLine 08459 583358 Road Route: From Ipswich, south on A12 to Capel St. Mary village and through to Great Wenham Car Parking: Very limited roadside parking at the church, otherwise roadside in the village Refreshments: The Queens Head pub, otherwise in adjoining villages Public Toilets: None Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 196 Sudbury, Hadleigh and Dedham Vale
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Evening Star Walks
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