Making Tracks

It’s a gorgeous spring evening, still and calm and full of birdsong, perfect for a pre-supper stroll. We choose a 6-mile circular walk from Earl Soham that follows hedge-lined bridleways and wooded tracks and promises an abundance of wildflowers and glorious countryside views.

We park by Earl Soham church, just space for a car under the towering yews, and from here follow a little track through the graveyard that leads down a bank to a narrow lane. Unusually for Suffolk, we are greeted by the sound of running water, last night’s downpour gushing down a gully to our left, and spontaneously throw in a few sticks that quickly surf their way out of sight. Just up to the right is a clearly marked footpath that leads around the edge of a field towards a small wood. At the gap in the hedge, turn left and then right and follow this wide grassy track, passing under the electricity wires of the pylons that stride across the open countryside, their low hum echoed by the bees that busy themselves amongst the cowslips and buttercups.

We soon come to anther gap in the hedge and here turn left, joining a bridleway that leads us into a wooded track. The dogs run on ahead, eager to explore, and through the trees we catch glimpses of a brooding sky that looks like it could dampen our spirits, but for now offers a dramatic backdrop to the neat lines of the wheat fields that look almost purple in the evening light. The edges of the path are lined with swathes of Lords-andLadies and newly unfurled cow parsley, and we keep an eager eye out for any signs of wild garlic – always a delightful discovery. At the end of the track, we turn left and follow a lane to a corner, before rejoining the bridleway which takes us over a railed bridge and then right along the edge of a large field.

At the corner of this field, we turn left and head up the hill, following the field round to the left before taking a right through a small copse and then onto towards Saxtead. We emerge onto the wide common land where dandelions bob and buttercups stud the grass, and head left towards the Mill Inn – a very convenient stopping off point for anyone who has built up a thirst. Keeping the iconic Saxtead Mill to our left, we cross the common and head in the direction of Tannington. The edges of the common are home to several small ponds, so beware as the ground is surprisingly boggy, but it is lovely to see such wildlife habitats left untouched. At the end of the common, we admire the colourful display of plants, painted pots and fake sunflowers that brighten this corner, and then hit the road, keeping Windmill Lodges to our left.

After a sharp bend, make sure to ignore the first footpath and instead take the second one on the left which leads towards a white house. The path here is narrow, so we emerge with soggy trouser bottoms and heavy, mud encased boots, and it is a relief to join another wide grassy bridleway. Turning left, this part of the walk is a delight, the track taking us through woodland that is dripping with May blossom and leading to a narrow path, the steep banks on either side lined with primroses. At one point a small stream, struggling after last night’s rain, has overflowed onto the path, so for a while we hop from bank to bank to avoid getting a boot full whilst the dogs, having scrambled with ease up the steep sides, look down with amusement.

We come out onto the Bedfield Road and after turning left, take a footpath on the right that leads down the side of a well-kept bungalow – even the footpath has been kindly mown – that has enviable views out across the Suffolk countryside. We follow the hedge-line, peeking over to see a flock of Herdwicks enjoying the lush spring grass, and come to a small managed wood. The path leads us round the edge of the gardens of a magnificent country house which looks over pretty hay meadows and the canopies of quintessential horse chestnuts whose candelabras are just coming into bloom. Ignore a track to the left and carry straight on until a wooden bridge takes you left, and here we catch sight of the tower of Earl Soham church – the end is in sight. The footpath leads past the side of the primary school and so we just have to skirt back along the road to return to our car – the only decision being whether to go home for supper or nip into the Earl Soham Victoria – we’ll leave you to decide what happened next!

About You

Be Well Barn

Redlingfield

Eye IP23 7QP www.bewellbarn.co.uk

Ruby and the Angel Eco 66A High Street

Debenham IP14 6QP www.rubyandtheangel.co.uk

Sauna Box www.saunabox.co.uk @saunaboxhq

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The Three Tuns

Pettistree IP13 0HW

T: 07718 192888 www.vida.haus

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Barretts of Woodbridge 40 Thoroughfare

Woodbridge IP12 1AL www.barretts.co.uk

East of Eden

The Old Barn Fromus Square Saxmundham IP17 1DG www.east-of-eden.co.uk elsie & tom www.elsieandtom.co.uk @elsieandtomcandles

Hannah Berridge Studio www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ HannahBerridge in da cottage www.indacottage.co.uk @indacottage

LayerTree www.layertree.co.uk @layertree

New Street Market 70 New Street Woodbridge IP12 1DX www.newstreetmarket.com

Red Eyed Dove Barnaby Green, 23b High Street Southwold IP18 6AD @redeyeddove

Snape Maltings

Snape Bridge Snape IP17 1SP www.brittenpearsarts.org

Suffolk Carpet Weavers Unit 5, Bridge Business Park Top St, Martlesham Woodbridge IP12 4RB www.suffolkcarpetweavers.com

Suffolk Plant Centre Main Rd, Pettistree Woodbridge IP13 0HH

T: 01473 364025 www.suffolkplantcentre.co.uk

The Merchant’s Table 10 Church Street Woodbridge IP12 1DH www.themerchantstable.co.uk

Thrive Collective

Helmingham Hall Gardens Stowmarket IP14 6EF www.thrivecollective.online @t.hrive_

Vanil 17 Church St Woodbridge IP12 1DS

T: 07702 877081 www.vanil.co.uk

Stockists

fashion emporium collated

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Framlingham IP13 9BD www.collatedonline.com

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Fleur

166 High Street

Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ www.fleuraldeburgh.co.uk

Hug 12 Market Hill Woodbridge IP12 4LP www.huglifestyles.com

Ives footwear

29 & 31 The Thoroughfare Woodbridge IP12 1AA

T: 01394 386393 www.ivesfootwear.co.uk

Joli 158 High St

Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ www.jolisuffolk.com

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20A Market Hill Woodbridge IP12 4LU @mooseonthehill

No10 Market Hill

Market Hill Woodbridge IP12 @10markethill

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Framlingham IP13 9AN @rubytyger.framlingham

Spiral Gallery

46 High Street

Debenham IP14 6QW www.spiralgallery.co.uk

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Earsham Home Furnishings

Earsham Hall, Earsham

Bungay NR35 2AN

T: 01986 893423 www.earshamhomefurnishings.co.uk

Earsham Street Deli

51 Earsham Street

Bungay NR35 1AF www.earshamstreetdeli.co.uk

Fen Farm Dairy

Flixton Rd, Bungay NR35 1PD www.fenfarmdairy.co.uk

Flint Vineyard

Camphill Farm

Middle Rd, Earsham Bungay NR35 2AH

T: 01986 893942 www.flintvineyard.com

Front Room

28 Earsham St, Bungay NR35 1AQ @thefrontroombungay

George’s Gorgeous Gardens

Earsham Hall, Earsham Bungay NR35 2AN

T: 07592 491234 www.georgesgorgeousgardens.co.uk

Giddens & Thompson Greengrocer

36B Earsham St, Bungay NR35 1AQ

T: 01986 897944 www.giddensandthompson.co.uk

Interiors @ No.11

30 Earsham St, Bungay NR35 1AQ

T: 01986 807444 www.interiorsatno11.co.uk

Muse

4 Earsham St, Bungay NR35 1AG

T: 01986 895538 www.musebungay.co.uk

New Beginning Florists

32-34 Earsham St, Bungay NR35 1AQ

T: 01986 896404 www.newbeginningsflorist.co.uk

St Peter’s Brewery

St. Peter South Elmham, Bungay NR35 1NQ

T: 01986 782322 www.stpetersbrewery.co.uk

Suffolk Sentry

73 Flixton Rd, Bungay NR35 1RB

T: 01986 948507 www.suffolksentry.com

The Art Trading Company

55 Earsham St, Bungay NR35 1AF

T: 01986 897939 www.thearttradingcompany.co.uk

The Bell Gallery

40 Earsham St, Bungay NR35 1AQ

T: 01986 894456 www.thebellgallery.com

The Little Black Dog Wardrobe

36a Earsham St, Bungay NR35 1AQ

T: 01986 948080 www.thelittleblackdogwardrobe. co.uk

The Recycled Weasel

48 St Mary’s Street, Bungay NR35 1AX

T: 07886 205535 www.therecycledweasel.co.uk