British Walking Federation

BURY ST EDMUNDS WALK ORGANISED BY HAVAC WALKERS

CONTACT: Peter Addison, 38 Peterborough Avenue, Upminster, Essex RM14 3LL
Tel: 01708 250841     Email: peter.addison@tesco.net

DISTANCE: 16km
ENTRY FEE: £1.50 per person (Cheques payable to Havac Walkers)
AWARD: No Award
ENTRY SYSTEM: Postal
START VENUE: Abbey Gardens, Angel Hill, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1XB (Map: 155 GR: TL855642)
CAR PARKING This is a circular walk based on Bury St Edmunds Abbey Gardens but can be started from anywhere around the route. Because you have to pay for car parking in Bury St Edmunds both in the car parks and on the streets at all times it is suggested that if you come by motor vehicle you use Nowton Park as the start and finish of the walk where parking is free but restricted to the park opening hours, 8.30am till 6pm in winter and 8.30am till 8pm in summer. Nowton Park, Nowton Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP29 5LU - Map 155 GR TL865621
PUBLIC TRANSPORT: Bus service within 1km of start.
TERRAIN: Urban areas, roads, parkland, farmland, woods and riverside paths.
REFRESHMENTS: Can be purchased on the route.

ROUTE DESCRIPTION (updated 04 July 2010)

From Angel Hill enter the Abbey Gardens through the Abbey Gate. Walk straight down the main path between flower beds and bear right towards children’s play area. Turn left and exit gardens over metal footbridge. Turn right and continue along path, river on right. Pass through barriers and straight on along field path to exit at main road. Cross road with extreme care and turn left to roundabout. At roundabout turn right (Rougham Hill) and continue on road, cross Rushbrooke Lane, pass recycling centre on left and lorry park on right, to its end. At footpath signpost on right, just before double electricity post, turn right onto the path.

Q.1 There is a stone tablet on the right as you enter the footpath. When was this Oak Grove planted?

Walk through trees/bushes then straight on following waymarkers along edge of fields, hedge on left. At overhead pylon wires path turns right to road. At road turn left to ‘T’ junction. At junction cross road with care onto track opposite and continue ahead through gate, bungalow on left, uphill. Continue along this wide track towards a farm. As you approach the farm there is a waymarker on the right beside a large tree. Turn right and follow round two sides of meadow on a grass path, wooden railed fence on left. On meeting farm track, there are several thatched buildings ahead through the trees, (Rushbrooke) turn right, hedge on left. At corner of next field turn diagonally right across grass area to another track. Bear right on this track between an avenue of young trees. Where track bears right continue straight ahead (waymarked) along a wide grass path. This path eventually becomes enclosed between tall hedgerows (Hawkers Lane) and exits onto an open field. Continue straight ahead across field on an obvious path to the rear of the Rushbrooke Arms public house in Sicklesmere. Go through pub gardens and car park to main road, cross with care and turn right then almost immediately left into Hawstead Lane.

Q.2 What is the name of the first cottage (thatched) on the right as you enter lane?

Continue along lane until meeting a footpath finger post on right. Turn right on track going uphill. At top turn right along field edge, hedge on left, and at corner by next waymarker turn left with hedge/ditch on right. At end of hedge/ditch on right continue straight on towards tall trees with buildings beyond and then down grass track to the buildings. Pass between buildings to road. At road turn right and just before speed de-restriction sign turn left through wooden gate into Nowton Park. On reaching large open area (Panda statue ahead) turn right and follow the yellow-banded marker posts anti-clockwise around the perimeter of the park to the car park.

IF USING NOWTON PARK AS BASE START AND FINISH WALK HERE.

Walk through the car park to the Ranger Centre.

Q.3 Above the Ranger Centre door is an alarm. What is the telephone number on it?

At the Ranger Centre turn left to cross a humpback bridge and then right along the avenue of lime trees towards a large house. At end of avenue go through a small hand gate to left and continue ahead, house now on right. Continue along main path in wooded area, following yellow-banded marker posts, to pass a large pond on left then a font and ruined archway. On exiting trees/bushes look for a gate on the right. Leave the park via this gate to road (if you pass a Totem Pole on left you have gone too far). Turn right on road and then left at Nowton village sign. Continue along Cooper Lane to ‘T’ junction and turn right. At bridleway finger post on left turn left up track. At end pass a small copse and pond on right, continue straight ahead into field for about 30metres then turn sharp right across field aiming for a waymarker post in gap of trees ahead, very slightly to right of electricity pole with insulators. Go through trees, then along field edge towards left side of houses ahead. Follow path across a grass area to opposite corner and enter trees. Turn right along avenue of trees into Hardwick Heath. Path passes sports area on left. At gate (car park on right) turn left, fence on right, sports area on left. At end of fence on right turn right downhill.

Q.4 Just before turning right there is a concrete pad on the left. What is the pad used for?

Pass through barrier and cross road with care. Go through barrier opposite and continue down footpath between houses to pass through another barrier. Cross an estate road and through yet another barrier to the right of telephone box. Continue down path passing through more barriers and an area liable to flooding to eventually meet a major road. Turn left and cross road with care at bollards in centre of road. Continue in same direction up to a double mini round-about. Turn right into Westgate Street and pass the Catholic Church on right. At pedestrian crossing, just before junction with Crown Street on left, cross road, turn right and left into Crown Street. Continue along Crown Street. Pass St Mary’s Church to the Cathedral. At the Norman Tower turn left into Churchgate Street up to its end. Turn right into Guildhall Street and then right into Abbeygate Street. On the left is the Corn Exchange built in 1861.

Q.5 How many round pillars are there on the front of the Corn Exchange?

Continue along Abbeygate Street. Pass the Nutshell public house on left, and on to Angel Hill. The Abbey Gardens Gate is ahead and end of walk.

When you have completed this trail please use the Permanent Trail Entry Form

The organisers are not liable for accidents, thefts and/or damage to property. Every effort will be made by the organisers to make this a safe, enjoyable and memorable event.

This trail is registered until 31 December 2012.