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Home > Leisure Offers > Station Walks > Saxmundham
Station walk - by Michael Anderton
Background
Saxmundham Station opened in 1859 and is an important point on the East Suffolk Railway for it is from this signal box
that that the whole of the line is controlled. Apart from the platforms, the station building is no longer used for railway purposes, but in times past this was the junction for the Leiston and Aldeburgh branch line where holiday makers from London made their way to the coast. The branch line closed for passengers in 1966 and now only serves the power stations at Sizewell.
Saxmundham stood on the coaching route from London and Ipswich to Yarmouth, its old inns and other facilities providing a much welcomed stop for weary travellers. However, the coming of the railway played a significant part in the history of the town, the modern transport of the day bringing faster access and new business. The A12 has now by-passed the town and, although the railway remains, life in the old market town has become a little more sedate, although still a thriving country town and centre for the villages around about.
Walk Route
From the station forecourt cross the road to New Cut, the road between the Railway Inn and the police station opposite,
to reach Chantry Road. Turn right across the railway and walk up Mill Road, turning left 50 metres after passing Mill Rise, up three steps to the footpath between fences and hedges. Follow this to reach the road by the water tower and take the path to the left of the fire station.
Follow this path out to open field and across rough grass to a stile leading down steps to the A12. Turn right along the edge of the road, using the verge wherever possible and taking great care to avoid the fast moving traffic. At the B1119 Rendham Road cross roads turn right for a few metres and then left on a newly laid path, crossing a footbridge and on, parallel to the A12. At the far side of the first section and a crossing path, walk straight on over a narrow footbridge to continue along the newly laid path along the edge of a new housing estate.
Follow the path towards the left
side of Ash Ground Wood ahead, keeping generally parallel to the main road. The path follows the edge of the wood and eventually joins a track at Well House; continue along the track to reach the road opposite Rosemary Lane. Cross to the lane and walk up past the Poachers Pocket pub and around the corner beyond. At the next left bend in the road turn off right, passing through a gap in the hedge on the right and then left along the edge of a small section of meadow to a path between the hedges.
After emerging out at Carlton Green turn left along the footway, passing the Old School House and Old Post Office. Where the road bends to the left turn right on the track towards the 16th century red brick tower of Carlton's St. Peter's Church in the fields. At the church gate follow the path right, around the church yard fence, and then at the edge of the playing
field turn right up the right side of the hedge on a field edge path. At about 150 metres turn left over a stile and cross the playing field to the right of the adventure play area in an old pit and on to reach a gap between the trees at the other side.
Follow the path ahead through the houses to the road at the primary school. Cross to the footway opposite and follow the path as it turns left and then right over a bridge to Henley Close. Turn left and walk along the close as far as a red brick electricity sub station and a path passing the right side of house number 27. This path eventually becomes an access drive and is known as Harpers Lane and leads out to North Entrance road in Saxmundham.
Turn right and walk into the town under the railway bridge. Turn right into the Market Place, an area of two parallel streets and the venue of the town's street markets for centuries. On the left are a number of cottages that have been converted from the old
16th century Angel Inn that once faced the High Street and contained a cobbled yard, stables and pumped horse trough to serve the needs of travellers arriving along the A12.
At the end of the Market Place turn right into Station Approach past the front of Old Bank House, Saxmundham's first bank built by Gurneys in the 18th century. Walk up Station Approach to complete your walk and return to the start of the trail at the station.
Thank you for taking the time to explore this walk. We would love to hear your comments about this site and about your day out.
Please email us at nxea.customerrelations@nationalexpress.com.
