Woodbridge

Station walk - by Michael Anderton

Background

The railway station at Woodbridge stands between the town and the picturesque River Deben giving easy access to

walks along the river and quay or just to wander around the historic town. This country walk provides you with a little of all there is to see, the colourful river, quiet Suffolk countryside and the ancient town, with many opportunities to take short cuts or make extensions if required.

With the arrival of the railway at Ipswich it wasn't long before the residents of Woodbridge felt that their town should have a railway station and the outcome was the Eastern Union Railway's Woodbridge branch line. The plan included an end on junction with the East Suffolk Railway at Woodbridge Station, the level crossing on Tide Mill Way was the actual boundary between the two company's railways and work began in 1856. Although the first engine to reach Woodbridge came from the north, it wasn't until 3rd March 1859 that a train was able to travel the route from Ipswich. The line finally opened for business on 1st June 1859, even though there were no timetables available at Woodbridge.

Walk Route

Start the walk from the front of the railway station and take the bridge over the railway,

between the station and the Riverside Cinema, to reach the path around the harbour and along the river to the right. Across the harbour look out for the five story high, white weather boarded Woodbridge Tide Mill, the only working tide mill in the country. The principle difference between a tide mill and a normal water mill lies in the use of stored water after the tide has risen to provide the driving force as it is released. Records show that there has been a tide mill here since at least 1170. The present mill was built in the early eighteenth century and was working until 1956 when the shaft of the 20 feet diameter water wheel broke. In 1968 the decaying mill was bought and restored. It is now well preserved and open to visitors from Easter to October, the machinery operates at specific times subject to the tide.

Follow the riverside path downstream to the right, past the Woodbridge Cruising Club, the Deben Yacht Club and away from the town. Walk to the end of the path in the trees ahead

and turn right up the lane that serves as a drive to Kyson House. Walk up the track past the National Trust's Kyson Hill property, where there are seats with a view over the river, and up over the red brick railway bridge spanning a deep railway cutting. Walk up through Broomheath, past the small car park on the left and on to eventually reach Sandy Lane.

Cross to Briarwood Road and walk to a point where the road bends to the right and then left. Turn left on a fenced path at the side of number 17, a white house with a blue garage door, to emerge out onto California. Turn right and walk up to Ipswich Road, crossing to Old Barrack Road and then left along Seckford Hall Road, opposite the end of the Seal pub. Walk to the end of the road and pass through a staggered barrier to reach the main A12 dual carriageway. Cross with great care and continue along the next section of Seckford Hall Road on the other side.

Seckford Hall is now a hotel and country club but was once the home of Thomas Seckford, a statesman of the Tudor period. The town owes much to its connection with Seckford, he founded a great charity, devoted to the maintenance of an Endowed School, a Library and a Hospital, and he presented to the town its Shire Hall, standing in the centre of Market Hill.

Opposite Seckford Hall turn right up the sandy track, marked as a Public Footpath, and, where the track turns left into the farm yard, continue straight on along a field edge path to the right of Wood Barn Cottages. At the end of the field turn right for about 40 metres and then left through a small gate in the hedge, now following a path between electric fence and hedge. At the end of the fence walk into the trees ahead and turn right over a small bridge into the adjoining field. Continue straight along the left edge of this narrow piece of land, through a staggered metal barrier and straight on along the field edge to reach a crossing track. Turn right for about 20 metres and then left, following the track towards Gazebo Farm. At the farm take the path known as Gazebo Walk, between hedges and along the rear of the Wyevale Garden Centre, to reach the A12 dual carriageway once again.

Turn right along the grass verge for a few metres and cross both carriageways by the end of the crash barrier, taking

great care of the speeding traffic. Once on the other side turn left for a short distance along the verge and then right through a gap in the hedge, by a small chestnut tree, opposite number 23 Bilney Lane. Turn right along the lane then left on Bullard's Lane. After about 100 metres turn left on Naughton Road and then right down Colletts Walk. At the end of the road continue straight on along the footway to the left of number 18 to eventually emerge onto Seckford Street. Walk straight on towards the town, past the imposing Seckford Hospital Almshouses on the left and then Fen Meadows, in the valley on the right, to reach the top of Market Hill.

In the centre of stands the fine sixteenth-century Shire Hall, home to The Suffolk Horse Museum, providing an exhibition about the Suffolk punch, the oldest breed of heavy working horses in the world. Down to the right you will find St. Mary's Alley leading through to the parish church of St. Mary's, whilst on the opposite side, in the lower part of Market Hill, there is a two storey red brick building with the initials EFG over the door. Edward Fitzgerald, translator of The Rubyait of Omar Khayyam, was born here in 1809 and lived most of his life in the neighbourhood. He is buried at Boulge Church and on his grave grows a rose grown from the seed of a rose on the tomb of Omar Khayyam.

Walk down the hill past the Shire Hall and bear right at the bottom down Church Street. At the Thoroughfare continue down Quay Street to return to the start of the walk at the railway station.

Thank you for taking the time to explore this walk.

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