Guided Walks March 2019

The East Suffolk Lines Walks Team has several guided walks planned for March and April, and we’ve added additional dates since this story was first published.

Saturday 9 March – 10.35am

Brampton Station Circular – 7.5 miles – about 3.5 hours

The Saturday 9 March ramble is a level walk through Adrian Bell country with extensive views, a diminutive church, a trek alongside Webby Wood, and a stop a real ale pub. The map depicts the route through this very rural part of Suffolk which starts from the smallest station along the East Suffolk Lines.

The walk will get underway from Brampton station at 10:35 following arrival of the 9:17 train from Ipswich, the 10:07 train from Lowestoft, and the 8:28 train from Felixstowe (change at Ipswich).

Saturday 15 March – 10.35am

Alde Valley Circular – Saxmundham to Wickham Market – 10 miles – about 5 hours

The Saturday 16 March guided walk is one of the longest in the series at 10 miles. The route goes through a variety of landscape including woodland, lush meadows and light terrain characteristic of the Suffolk Sandlings. There are no places for refreshments enroute; it’s advised to bring enough food for the entire walk. Refreshments are available at the end at Station House Cafe, Campsea Ashe, at Wickham Market Rail station.

The walk gets underway from Saxmundham station at 10:00 following arrival of the 9:17 train from Ipswich, the 9:07 train from Lowestoft, and the 8:28 train from Felixstowe (change at Ipswich).

Saturday 23 March – 10.15am

Sutton Hoo – Melton Station Circular – 5.5 miles – about 2.5 hours

Our 23 March guided walk is a circular route that includes tidal marshes, oak woodland and sandy heaths, leading to the National Trust’s Sutton Hoo estate.

The walk gets underway from Melton station at 10:15 following arrival of the 9:17 train from Ipswich, the 9:07 train from Lowestoft, and the 8:28 train from Felixstowe (change at Ipswich).

Free – Open to the Public – No Need to Book – Dogs Welcome

The walks are all free and open to the public. Just show up on the day as there’s no need to book. Dogs on leads are welcome, and your four-legged friends travel free on the train.

Download the route maps

The East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership has published a new Guided Walks booklet which details more than 20 routes along the East Suffolk Lines (Ipswich – Lowestoft and Ipswich – Felixstowe). The booklet is available at Suffolk Libraries and many other locations across the county; you can also request a copy in the post, download the entire booklet as a PDF, or view and print each individual walk. There’s also a flip-the-pages version you can view right from your PC or smartphone. All the details and links can be found on the walks page.

  • FREE – NO NEED TO BOOK – Just show up
  • Stout footwear essential, long trousers, waterproofs if wet
  • Bring water and enough food for your walk.
  • Dogs on leads WELCOME
  • Check times before setting out: nationalrail.co.uk or 03457 48 49 50.
  • No insurance cover – come at own risk.

April Guided Walks

6/4 Deben Valley

  • Melton to Wickham Market
  • 5.75 miles – about 2.5 hours
  • Starts 11.40 from Melton station

13/4 Orwell & Trimley Marshes

  • Trimley Station Circular
  • 7 miles – about 3.5 hours
  • Starts 10.35 from Trimley Station

27/4 Deben & Coast

  • Trimley to Felixstowe
  • 9 miles – about 5 hours
  • Starts 10.35 from Trimley Station

The story was updated 10 March to provide updates to the walks programme in March and April.