Melford Hall countryside walk
A circular ramble and photography amble. Enjoy typical Suffolk countryside views including open fields, gently rolling hills, beautiful vistas, distant churches nestling in the countryside and clear running brooks. At times, all you will ‘hear’ is total peace and quiet. Look out for Kentwell Hall, picture-book villages, Chad Brook and red poppies in summer. An ideal walk for active families.
Poppies
Look out for the vibrant red flowers of poppies in summer.
Total steps: 12
Total steps: 12
Start point
Melford Hall, grid ref: TL866483
Step 1
Turn right from Melford Hall and cross the road. Follow the pavement up the hill, bear left into Kentwell Hall Park and walk up the long drive.
Step 2
Just before the metal gates of Kentwell Hall itself, bear left at the signpost and go through a gate, passing a small rotunda on the right. Go through two more gates and turn right, passing the hall on your right. Follow the wide dirt farm track north for nearly 1 mile (1.6km).
Step 3
At the top of the track, just before Kiln Farm, at the signpost, bear right, heading east. Follow the grassy path past Kiln and Ashen Grove woods to the left. At the end of Brakes Ley Grove (on the right), go left along a distinct grassy path, following it round to the left. Keep the small tree line to your right as though heading for Rowhedge Farm across the open field in front of you.
Step 4
At the signpost, by a lone tree in front of you, turn right and follow a very distinct path across an open field, heading for a gap in the tree line.
Step 5
At the gap, continue along the distinct path downhill. At the village of Bridge Street, turn right and then left, crossing a road. Follow the footpath down the hill, passing along some back gardens on your right.
Step 6
Cross the stile and shortly bear right. Go over another stile and cross the busy A134, heading for the minor road opposite. Follow this and at the signpost turn right, keeping Chad Brook to your right.
Step 7
Follow the brook along leafy glades and pass a ford on your right. Coming across an open, sloping field to your front, just by a hedgerow going up the hill to your left, turn right, going through a clear gap. Then cross over the brook by a footbridge with handrails.
Step 8
Turn left, now keeping the brook to your left. Follow the meandering path.
Step 9
By another distinctive ford on your left, turn right up a slight incline and then bear left by the pillbox hidden in the trees on the left corner. Follow the edge of the field with the trees and the now hidden brook to your left.
Step 10
As you walk along the flat, you'll see a radio mast off to your right at the top of the hill. Continue along and go past the thin hedge line, heading up the hill to your right.
Step 11
At the signpost by the second hedge line, turn right and go up the hill, keeping the hedge line to your left. At the top, cross the busy A134 again and keep straight on along the concrete track of Hare Drift.
Step 12
Go through the Cherry Lane Garden Centre and arriving in Long Melford High Street, turn left and follow the side of the road until you return to Melford Hall. Here you can pause and enjoy some refreshments in the tea-room.
End point
Melford Hall, grid ref: TL866483
Trail map
More near here
Lavenham to Long Melford railway walk
Walk amid wild flowers, birds and animals along the disused Great Eastern railway line between two medieval ‘wool’ villages, starting at the Guildhall and finishing at Melford Hall, Long Melford.
Lavenham Woodland walk
Spot rare butterflies and countryside views worthy of Constable, as you explore the woodland community project and an old railway line trail around Lavenham.
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