Today we are exploring the countryside south of Bury St Edmunds. We have not visited this area before so there are a few trig points I plan to bag over the next couple of days. The starting point for our walk is the Nowton Park Car Park (Grid Ref: TL864622) (IP29 5LU) this is located about two miles from the centre of Bury St Edmunds.
It is tempting to wander around the country park which covers almost two hundred acres. This was created along with Nowton Court in 1837 by Henry Oakes, who as well as being the Lord of the manor was a first class cricketer. He was also the mayor of Bury St Edmunds in 1847.
Before starting our walk we pop to the visitor centre where there are public toilets.
Leaving the park by the main entrance we turn right and walk along a pavement beside the park wall.
After 200 metres we turn left along a driveway which has a way mark “To Clare”
At a junction of paths 300 metres from the road we turn left and head south along a track which becomes a minor road after passing Nowtoncourt Farm. On reaching a bridleway on the right we take this route as it heads steadily uphill beside a field.
After 1km we turn left at a junction of paths and head south between fields.
The footpath crosses a small footbridge and then sitting beside the route is the Hardwick Ordnance Survey Trig Pillar, this is the 450th trig I have bagged.
On reaching Park Lane we turn left and follow this to a junction where we go straight on into High Green and then just after a property on the left we take a footpath across fields.
After crossing a stile we pass in front of Nowton Hall. This former farmhouse is dated 1595 on the chimney-stack which also carries the initials A.P. relating to Anthony Payne (died 1606).
The footpath leads to St Peter’s Church, parts of which date from the 12th century. It was enlarged in 1843 with the costs being met by the Oakes family.
Leaving the church our route is down the driveway to Nowton Hall to reach a ‘B’ road where we turn right and walk along the road to reach a track on our left which heads around the edge of fields-on the route of the St Edmunds Way, this 80-mile long distance path runs from Brandon in Suffolk to Maningtree in Essex.
We stay with the long distance path to reach Hawstead Lane where we turn left and head into Sicklesmere. We pass the Sicklesmere Gate Toll House which was built in the 19th century by the Turnpike Trust to collect tolls on the Norwich to Sudbury turnpike.
Turning right along the main road we then turn left to pass in front of the Rushbrooke Arms public house. This pub dates back to the mid 16th century. It was originally called the Waggon but changed its name in the 1890s.
Through the pub car park we pass a play area and then head slowly uphill to a junction of paths, just as the path becomes tree lined we turn right and take a well-worn path between fields.
We cross a road and go through a gate to walk along the route of a dismantled railway line. This was part of the Bury St Edmunds to Long Melford line. At Melford it was possible to connect to the main line into London Liverpool Street. The line was closed in 1965 and this area of land was acquired by Great Welnetham Parish Council in 1983, the walk was created and the surrounding area turned into a nature reserve.
At a junction of paths we cross a stile on our left and walk along the field edge, initially this is close to the disused railway line, but it soon heads north and goes around fields to reach Little Welnetham.
After crossing a road we join a track, Parsonage Lane, and head towards Rushbrooke Wood.
At a minor road, Linwood Lane, we turn left and follow this former Roman Road for just over 1km to reach a junction where we turn left to head into Rushbrooke.
We stop to look in the church of St Nicholas. This is an amazing building with a 14th century tower, the remainder was rebuilt during the 16th century. The interior has elaborate Victorian gothic seating in the nave, this dates from 1840 and was introduced by Col. Rushbrooke an antiquarian and woodcarver of Rushbrooke Hall.
There are various monuments including one for Thomas Jermyn (died 1692). His family rebuilt Rushbrooke Hall in the 16th century. It was a large impressive red brick county house which passed through generations of the family and then was sold to Robert Rushbrooke who owned it until 1919.
In 1938 the Rothschild family purchased the house and in 1941 it became a convalescent home for injured World War II soldiers. After the war it became a farming institute and then in 1961 it was decided to demolish the house, but soon after it burnt down.
Leaving the church we follow the footpath as it goes through properties on Rushbrooke Estate. All the properties appear to have been built to the same design so it gives a slightly odd feel to the place.
In the midst of the houses is a small 16th century building housing a 19th century parish water pump.
Leaving the village we continue along a track towards Hall Farm, the path soon leaves the track and goes around fields to reach the other side of the farm house.
Now we stay with the farm driveway for 1km to reach a junction with a minor road.
We go straight across and follow Rushbrooke Road as it heads towards the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds. Either side of the road there are indications that the surrounding fields will soon be covered in new houses and as we near the end of the lane we are diverted on a route that leads through the construction site.
Following the signs the path brings us to a lane by a roundabout which we take. Just before reaching the Police Investigation Centre we follow a path which is soon beside the A134. We stay on this road to reach a roundabout where we go left into Sicklesmere Road and then cross the road to join Nowton Road. We stay on Nowton Road back to the car park from where we started our walk.
To follow my walk you will need Ordnance Survey Explorer 211 – Bury St Edmunds & Stowmarket
You can view this 10 mile walk on OS Maps and download the GPX File Here
31st August 2024
© Two Dogs and an Awning (2024)
All information on this site is provided free of charge and in good faith and no liability is accepted in respect of damage, loss or injury which might result from it. To the best of my knowledge the routes are entirely on public rights of way or within areas that are open for public access.
Walking can be hazardous and is done entirely at your own risk. It is your responsibility to check your route and navigate using a map and compass.