October Guided Walks
The Community Rail Partnership is holding two free station-to-station guided walks this month. Both walks will take place on a Saturday and make it easy to take the train to the station, join the walk, and return by train.
The differences in the two walks extend beyond the mileage (one is 10 miles; the other is 4) and reflects the diversity of topography which is characteristic of the areas the East Suffolk Lines railway passes through.
Our Fynn Valley walk from Woodbrideg to Westerfield walk is mainly rural and some sections are exceptionally isolated. Our second walk, the Easterling from Oulton Broad South to Lowetoft is a brilliant trek, rich in history, to Britain’s most easterly point.
Saturday 19 October 9.35am
8.07 train from Lowestoft, 8:28 from Felixstowe; 9:17 from Ipswich
Woodbridge to Westerfield (Fynn Valley)
10 miles
Walk No. 7 in the 2018 booklet
Led by David Foster
The Fynn Valley walk traverses some of the most picturesque countryside in East Anglia and dispels any notion that Suffolk is flat! From Woodbridge station the walk passes through Kyson Point offering an outstanding view of the River Deben. Turning westward, the route parallels Martlesham Creek and then the River Fynn through Bealings and Playford where the difference in elevation between the footpath and nearby railway is most pronounced. Refreshment is available at The Fountain Tuddenham Pub and Restaurant and also at the end at Westerfield’s Railway Inn Pub but be sure to bring water and food/snacks due to the length of the route.
Saturday 26 October 10.40am
10.07 train from Lowestoft, 8:28 from Felixstowe; 9:17 from Ipswich
Oulton Broad South to Lowestoft (The Easterling)
4 miles
Walk No. 22 in the 2018 booklet
Led by Trevor Garrod
Our second walk in October is a short but remarkably varied and contrasting walk leading to Britain’s most easterly point. It takes its name from the 1950s East Suffolk Line express train named ‘The Easterling’ which brought holidaymakers from London. After visiting the Lowestoft Museum in Nicholas Everitt Park enjoy views across the open expanses of Oulton Broad, cross a Dutch style lifting bridge, tunnel below the railway near Oulton Broad swing bridge and cross the slipways of busy boatyards fronting Lake Lothing. From Normanston Park the walk turns north-northeast along the old alignment of the Lowestoft to Yarmouth line, part of which is now a linear park. The lighthouse stands on an elevated cliff top below which Lighthouse Score, one of a series of fascinating alleyways descending the cliff face, leads down to the Denes, an open area traditionally associated with the repair of fishing nets. The informative Maritime Museum, seawall and Lowestoft Ness are close by.
FREE – No Need to Book – Dogs Welcome
There’s no need to book; our walks are free and dogs on leads are welcome. Stout footwear is essential. Those taking part do so at there own risk as insurance is not provided.
East Suffolk Lines Walks Booklet and Maps
The walks are featured in the latest edition of the East Suffolk Lines Walks booklet which has details on 160 miles of way-marked walking routes, most of which connect rail stations between Felixstowe, Ipswich and Lowestoft.
Guided walks are held throughout the year and anyone can sign up for email notifications of future walks by visiting our sign up page.
Additional details
- FREE – NO NEED TO BOOK – Just show up
- Stout footwear essential, trousers recommended, waterproofs if wet. Bring water/snacks/food for stops along the way
- Dogs on leads welcome!
- Check train information before setting out: nationalrail.co.uk or 03457 48 49 50. No insurance cover – come at own risk.