/assets/Footpaths/Nature-Notes-Dec-2022.pdf

Maps, Paths and History

 Scroll down to see a series of downloadable leaflets which set out a range of walks around the village. These routes have been prepared by David and Alison Vickers to whom thanks go for the huge amount of work which this has entailed. To add interest to your walks there is also a gazetteer with background information on points of interest, and a set of nature notes which focuses on the animals, crops and wild flowers you might be lucky enough to see on your walks.

Another useful addition is the hand-drawn map of the footpaths around the village. You can see the map on our display boards outside the Memorial Hall, at the Capel Hall Lane picnic site and at Roselea Nursery Farm Shop. The Parish Council is very grateful to Roselea Nursery for generously permitting the sign to be installed on their land. 

Points of particular interest are shown on the footpath map and many of these are also referred to in the  descriptions of the suggested walks.

Gazetteer

The gazetteer provides lots of fascinating information on places of interest in the local area.  Click on local history to see more. Thanks go to Elizabeth Rastrick,our Village Recorder, for all her work in producing this for the benefit of the community.

Nature Notes

These notes were kindly provided by local resident, Robin Biddle. Robin has a huge amount of knowledge of the natural world around us and his notes offer a wonderful picture of the variety our village has to offer

The by the wayside and beyond section of the website gallery gives a flavour of what you might see on your walks. This includes photographs taken from various points along the walking routes - just click on the individual photographs to see their titles.

Archaeology

Robin Biddle has also contributed notes on archeology which focus on the digs which were undertaken on the local housing development sites. 

The Walks

The individual walks are shown below ready for you to choose what interests you.

Please be aware that many of our footpaths run through working countryside. Sometimes farmers have to disturb the paths in order to prepare the land and plant their crops. Reinstatement should be within two weeks. You will normally be able to follow the usual route of the right of way, but this can be difficult to see if work has recently taken place so it helps if you have a map with you.

Two Sisters Stroll 

This is a short walk of  1½ miles/2.4km which starts from the village sign at the junction of the High Road and St Martins Green. You can download a combined map and description or choose to view the map and the description of the route separately

Lily Pond Walk

This walk of 3.4 miles/ 5.45 km offers lots of variety and would be a lovely walk on which to take children. You can download a combined map and description or choose to view the map and the description of the route separately. To get a taste of what you might see take a look at the Views from the Walks section within the By the Wayside and Beyond section of our Gallery

Grimston Hall Historical Route

This fascinating and varied walk of 3 miles/ 5 kilometres can be viewed as a combined map and description or separately as a map and description of the route

Loompit Lake Loop

This is  fairly strenuous walk of 3.9 miles/6.23 km will take you to Loompit Lake and the shores of the River Orwell. Birdwatchers will particularly enjoy this one.  As before, you can view or download a description of the walk and a map, but this time there is also a second map which offers an extension to the walk. There is also a combined description and map available with a second combined file which shows the extension. If you wish to do the whole walk, including the extension, you will need to download both of these combined files. There are also some additional Nature Notes for Loompit Lake.

There is also a Loompit Lake Extension along with a Loompit Lake Extension combination.

The School Run

This is a varied circular walk of just over 3 mile (5Km) in its short form, and 4.4 miles (7.13 Km) for the longer version which takes in the Artisan Smokehouse. When planning your walk please be aware that the smokehouse is not open during the current covid restrictions. Dowload a description of the walk and a map separately or in combination.

Candlet Circuit

This is a circular route of 4.45 km/ 2.75 miles, with hardly any slopes. As you will see from the description and map you will walk on bridleways, pass through fields and wooded areas. This might be a nice route for children as you go over streams and a lake and there may well be sheep in the meadows near Capel Hall. You can also download the description and map in combination.

Falkenham Route

This circular route of 5.0 Km/3.4 miles  is mainly on the level although it does take in a short steep slope which can be slippery in wet weather. It also offers an additional section to take in the beautiful Falkenham Church. As always there is a description and map and an opportunity to download both in combination

Goslings to Gaymers Lane

This is  an easy walk of 4.3 Km/ 3 miles. The walk is varied, but mainly on the level. You can download the description and the map separately or in combination

Wheel Friendly Walk to Kirton

This walk is designed specifically for people using wheelchairs or electric buggies. You can download the description and the map separately or in combination.

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Wherever you choose to walk , please follow the countryside code. You can click on the Countryside Code leaflet link to download a full copy of the code produced by Natural England, or use their short summary which is set out below:

Respect other people

• Consider the local community and other people enjoying the outdoors
• Park carefully so access to gateways and driveways is clear
• Leave gates and property as you find them
• Follow the paths and do not trample crops; give way to others where the path is narrow

Protect the natural environment

• Leave no trace of your visit, take all your litter home
• Don’t have BBQs or fires
• Keep dogs under effective control; do not allow them to run freely through fields under cultivation
• Dog poo - bag it and bin it

Enjoy the outdoors

• Plan ahead, check what facilities are open, be prepared
• Follow advice and local signs and obey social distancing measures