Exploring Sudbury - Village Trail
Explore and learn about the current grounds of The Children's Country House at Sudbury and the historic estate village of Sudbury on this self-guided walking trail. Through Sudbury village, the trail follows roads, some have pavements while others do not. Please take care and be considerate of residents. The main route also crosses the main road – take care crossing because visibility can be restricted due to parked cars. The Courtyard (Trail point 6) is not open on Mondays.
Total steps: 14
Total steps: 14
Start point
The stable yard at The Children's Country House at Sudbury
Step 1
From Visitor Services walk into the stable yard towards the gardens. Go through the gates in front of you and take the path to the right onto the garden terrace. Note: There is a short steep ramp into the garden. For an alternative route: Pick up the main trail at Step 6. En route learn about the stable yard from the description of Trail Point 5.
Step 2
Continue across the garden terrace, turning right at the end to enter Bluebell Wood. Note: Bluebell woods and the lawn is uneven and can be muddy. For an alternative route: Retrace your steps back across the terrace, taking time to stop and take in the view of the lawn and lake (see description of Trail point 3). Continue back into the Stable yard and cross towards the cafe. Pick up the main trail at Step 6. En route learn about the Stable yard from the description of Trail Point 5.
Step 3
Follow the winding path through Bluebell Wood and across the grass down towards the lake.
Step 4
Continue alongside the lake until you reach the boathouse.
Step 5
Take the path to the right of the Boathouse through the trees, past the activity playground and through the gap in the hedge. Cross the stable yard grass towards the café. Note: Be aware of roots and low-hanging branches through the trees. To completely avoid these, head back through the gate you used to enter the gardens. The area in front of the café is cobbled and uneven.
Step 6
Go through the gate to the right of the café and head through the big green gates on your left into Sudbury Courtyard. Note: Sudbury Courtyard and shops are not open on Mondays. There is a cobbled speedbump to go over to access the lightly gravelled Courtyard.
Step 7
Return back through the big green gates. Continue straight along the track, then turn left through the small gate onto the permissible path (signposted as ‘Access path to School Lane’). Follow the permissible path and lane until you reach Sudbury Gasworks. Note: The lanes have potholes and there is no pavement – please take care of ground and cars and be considerate of residents.
Step 8
Walk down the entrance road to Sudbury Gasworks, turning left on the lane to walk towards Sudbury village past Sudbury Primary School. Note: The lanes have potholes and there is no pavement – please take care of ground and cars and be considerate of residents.
Step 9
Continue down the lane past the Old Butcher’s Shop. Note: The lanes have potholes and there is no pavement – please take care of ground and cars and be considerate of residents.
Step 10
Continue to Main Road. Turn left, and stay on the pavement to follow the road through the village past the Vernon Arms and Bowling Green. To extend your route slightly, turn right onto Main Road instead, and see if you can spot the Village Stocks on your right towards the end of the village. Please be aware that these are on private property so please do not trespass. Retrace your steps and proceed through the village.
Step 11
After the Vernon Arms lawn, cross the road onto the track. Please take care crossing the road as visibility. can be restricted due to parked cars. To the right of the gate enter WELLIES wood on the path between the stumps. Note: WELLIES Wood and the meadow beyond are uneven and can be muddy. For an alternative route: Re-enter the grounds of Sudbury Hall through the metal gate to continue your visit, admiring the grand frontage of the Hall (see description of Trail point 13).
Step 12
Continue through WELLIES wood until you emerge onto the field. Follow the path across the field to your left until you reach the middle of the field. From here, you will see a great view of the Hall.
Step 13
Continue across the field in the direction of the car park. Pause to look over the hedge across the A50.
Step 14
Follow the path back towards the main path which links the Hall and car park. From here you can choose to cross the road to return to The Children's Country House at Sudbury and continue your visit. Alternatively, you may choose to head back to the car park directly.
End point
The Car Park or return to Visitor Services.
Trail map
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