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Thurston
Station walk - by Michael Anderton
Background
The station at Thurston was designed by Frederick Barnes, who was also responsible for Stowmarket and
Needham Market stations, the building no longer provides access to the platforms, has been extensively restored and is now a printing works. Unfortunately the buildings on the south side of the track have been demolished, all access to the platforms is now through the station car park on the down (north) side. The formal opening of the Eastern Union's Ipswich to Bury St. Edmunds line took place on the 7th December 1846 when a special train from London, with two engines and a brass band, arrived at Bury to be met by the mayor and provided with a banquet.
The village of Thurston is well served with opportunities for access, situated east of Bury St. Edmunds, just north of the A14 Trunk Road and one of the few communities with its own active railway station. The village is the centre of a large thriving community with many facilities, including pubs and shops for refreshment.
Walk Route
The walk starts at the exit from the platforms to the large station car park next to the old railway station
building. Walk up Station Hill and turn right through a staggered metal barrier, just before reaching New Green Avenue. Follow the combined cyclepath and footway past the right side of the New Green Community Centre where a National Cyclepath Network sign stands advising that Stowmarket is 10 miles and Bury St Edmunds 5 miles away. At the end by another barrier continue along School Road to reach Thurston VCP Primary School. Bear right along School Lane and, at the end of the road, continue straight on along the walkway between trees and alongside the playing field. To the right is a smart sports pavilion and in the corner of the field the cream painted Cavendish Hall. The hall was given to Thurston in memory of William Tyrell Cavendish who was one of the passengers to go down on the Titanic.
The path emerges at the road opposite the parish church of St. Peter's. Rebuilt in 1860 after the tower
collapsed one modern window was also more recently provided when an American Flying Fortress crashed with a full bomb load and blew the window in. Opposite the church gate you will find the village sign at the roadside, topped with the Thedwastre Oak, the symbol of the old Thedwastre Hundred whose elders were reputed to have met beneath the tree in the area of New Green. A "hundred" was an administrative division of a shire county, and for a long time was an important element of local government.
Walk up the hill and, just before the derestriction signs, turn left across the field on a well defined and partly surfaced path to the road. Across the fields to the right the unusual 14th century octagonal crossing tower of Pakenham church can be seen. Turn left and walk along the road with care around the bend and on to reach the crossroads by the Victoria pub. Turn right along Meadow Lane, passing a number of flint cottages on the left, and on at the end on the grassy path between shady hedges.
At the end of the old lane turn right across a footbridge and then diagonally left across the cultivated field, heading to the right of three willow trees. Continue on the path through the trees with a fence on the right, over a small footbridge and on between the trees to a stile into a meadow. There may be cattle here at times, turn left through the narrow section of the meadow on the path to the left of Skeleton Plantation opposite, aiming for another stile and gate at the end to reach Sheep Lane. A permissive path has been provided between the left fence and trees in order to avoid walking in the field if preferred.
Turn left along Sheep Lane, a stoney track with Coronation Belt on the left. Cross the Ixworth Road with care and walk on past Millfields Cottage to reach Mill Lane at the Tee junction at the end. Turn left down the narrow lane, taking to the verge wherever possible when traffic approaches. Follow the lane down hill towards the Barton Road and, just before reaching the junction, note the two large Black Poplar trees on the left, a species indigenous to the eastern counties.
At the road junction turn left along the roadside footway on the long straight into the village centre. After passing the Post Office Stores on the right, the railway bridge ahead marks the end of the road.
At the road junction by the Fox and Hounds pub turn left up Station Hill, passing the old red brick station building on the right, and continue on up to the start of the walk at the car park.
Thank you for taking the time to explore this walk.
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