Lavenham Woodland walk
This easy 2.8 mile walk takes you around the Lavenham Woodland which is part of the old Lavenham to Long Melford Great Eastern Railway line. Starting from the Guildhall in the centre of the village, you will have the opportunity to see the magnificent Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, a nod to how wealthy this wool town was in medieval times. You will then head out into the countryside before returning past more architecturally impressive buildings. Find the map and route details here.
The buildings in Lavenham haven’t changed much since medieval times
Sailors Path
One of the finest Suffolk walks you can take is along the Sailor’s Path, a six-mile gentle
leg-stretcher that wends its way through the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area Of
Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The Sailor’s Path is one of the Suffolk walks first trod by the briny boots of the seamen who used to ply their trade along this part of the coast. Legend has it that when their boats got stuck in the Snape Maltings mud at low tide, the sailors would have to abandon their craft and head back to their Aldeburgh homes on foot.
Like many Suffolk walks, the Sailor’s Path forms part of the Suffolk Coast Path, a 50 mile
route stretching from Felixstowe to Lowestoft. The path follows the meandering
course of the River Alde, one of the most beautiful estuaries on the east coast. All the details for walking the Sailor’s Path are here.
Snape Maltings overlooking the reed beds
Alton Water Lake Trails
Just outside the town of Ipswich on the Shotley Peninsula, this man-made lake can be found. It is a haven for wildlife, walkers, cyclists, and generally all outdoor enthusiasts who love both land and water. The whole family will enjoy time exploring on either the short route or the longer eight-mile trail. Dogs on leads are welcome too. Plan your visit here
Choose either a gentle stroll or a more challenging eight-mile walk around the lake.
Nowton Park Bury St Edmunds
On the outskirts of the historic town of Bury St Edmunds is Nowton Park. Here you will find 200 acres of Suffolk countryside with walks of varying lengths around the parkland. Wander through the arboretum and see the henge and various sculptures as you enjoy the undulating parkland. In spring the lime avenue, which was planted around 1880, is one of the finest examples in the UK. In spring you will see a spectacular sight, as it is adorned with over 100,000 daffodils, sitting under the trees.
Nowton Park in winter (c) Phil Morley
The Newmarket Rides – Moulton Circuit
The Newmarket Rides are as the name suggests close to Newmarket, the home of horse racing. This is a less discovered area of Suffolk but nonetheless is extremely picturesque and has plenty of history. As you walk the eight-mile route you will come across moated farmsteads, medieval churches and mills, the remains of a motte and bailey, a malt kiln, and a packhorse bridge. The Newmarket Rides offer a good mix of off-road, quiet lane, and on-road routes for walking. You may find cyclists and horse riders too as the network is quite extensive, making it easy to create a much longer route if you wish. You can download the route here.
Moulton packhorse bridge can be seen at the start of the walk
This is only a snapshot of some of the picturesque walks in Suffolk, you can find many more both short and long-distance trails at Discover Suffolk.
