Melford Hall to Lavenham railway walk
Follow this easy walk from Long Melford to Lavenham, through woods and open fields, following the route of the old Great Eastern Railway's Long Melford to Lavenham line. You can return to Long Melford by bus, or re-trace your steps if you are able.
Busy road
Take care crossing the busy main A134 Sudbury to Bury St Edmund's road.
Total steps: 12
Total steps: 12
Start point
Melford Hall car park, grid ref: TL867462
Step 1
Starting from the Melford Hall car park, turn right out of the gate, and keeping to the same side of the road, walk 660yd (600m) until reaching the Cherry Lane Garden Centre. Entering the garden centre, walk just past the building entrance and look for the public footpath sign in front of you. This is known as Hare Drift.
Step 2
Hare Drift continues along a concrete path until joining the main A134 Sudbury to Bury St Edmunds road. The traffic on this road can be very fast, so cross with great care. Go through the gate on the opposite side of the road, and walking straight ahead, follow the footpath, which after 100yd (90m) continues downhill. At the bottom of the hill turn left and follow the tree line.
Step 3
Ignore a footpath sign to the left (St Edmund's Way). You will find an exit through the trees on the right-hand side after another 100–200yd (90–180m). Going through the trees, continue across a small bridge over the River Chad, heading slightly uphill.
Step 4
Exit into a plain with scrub to the right. You can see signs now covered with scrub, showing where the path was/should be.
Step 5
Head up the plain for about 200yd (180m) keeping the scrub to your right, until the path runs alongside some woodland to the left.
Step 6
Follow the path for about 400yd (360m) until reaching a path crossroad. The section after this is a permissive footpath and dogs should be kept on leads.
Step 7
Keep on for 200yd (180m) until the path enters Lineage Wood to the left and Paradise Wood to the right.
Step 8
When you leave the woodland you are entering a section of railway cutting designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Step 9
You will have reached the end of the SSSI section when reaching the Bridge Street railway bridge. The next section is now known as the Lavenham Walk.
Step 10
Continue on the Lavenham Walk until you reach metal gates.
Step 11
Reach the metal gates, which are at the Park Road crossing. Crossing the road, go through the gates and continue on for approximately 400yd (440m), until you reach Lavenham High Street to the right of the Bury Road railway bridge. Now cross the road, and continue right up High Street, for approximately 300yd (270m), and turning left into Market Lane walk up to the Market Square.
Step 12
Lavenham Guildhall is across the Market Square.
End point
Lavenham Guildhall, grid ref: TL916493
Trail map
More near here
Melford Hall countryside walk
Enjoy views of open fields, gently rolling hills, beautiful vistas, distant churches and clear running brooks on a walk through Suffolk countryside.
Melford Hall to Sudbury Mill walk
Enjoy an exhilarating walk from Long Melford through Sudbury's famed water meadows, passing old watermills before ending at Gainsborough's House and then his statue in Sudbury Market Place.
Melford Hall estate park walk
Take in the splendour of the ancient former hunting park of Melford Hall, and the impressive 15th-century Holy Trinity church, on this scenic walk around the estate.
Melford Hall Windmill Hill walk
Take in the Suffolk countryside on this circular walk, with hidden gems, woodland, open fields and spectacular views.
Get in touch
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
You might also be interested in
Walking
Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.
Walking in Suffolk
From strolls around famous historic sites to wanders through patchworks of purple heather, these are some of the best winter walks in Suffolk.
Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner
Learn about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. Find out how they help us care for precious places and the exclusive discount available for National Trust supporters.
Staying safe at National Trust places
The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.
Follow the Countryside Code
Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.
Things to see in Melford Hall
Explore Melford Hall, which was ravaged by fire in 1942 and brought back to life as a much-loved home to the family who have lived here for over 300 years.
Lavenham Guildhall
One of the most spectacular timber framed buildings of medieval England at the heart of village life
Things to do in Lavenham Guildhall and village
From the medieval Guildhall of Corpus Christi to the winding, hidden lanes and historic architecture, there's plenty to discover on a visit to Lavenham village.