Walks you can reach from Melton by train

The Fynn Valley Walk through some of the most picturesque countryside in East Anglia, with the outstanding view from the National Trust's Kyson Hill near the riverside finish at Woodbridge.

Kyson Hill

Lunch: Pubs along the route at Westerfield, Tuddenham, Martlesham and Woodbridge.

Warnings: At high tide the path along Martlesham Creek may flood at Kyson Point (an alternative via Broom Hill avoids this); beware traffic where the road passes under the railway arch.

Walk details: East Suffolk Lines (PDF).

The outer route through the gentle, well-timbered slopes of the River Fynn valley and picturesque Suffolk villages, with oak-lined hedgerows along the way, looping via Witnesham Thicks.

Time: 4h

Lunch: Pubs in Westerfield, Witnesham and Tuddenham.

Walk details: East Suffolk Lines (PDF).

From an isolated rural station, extensive views across quiet, unspoiled working countryside contrast with intimate scenes such as the diminutive parish church at Redisham, evocatively described in Adrian Bell's 'Apple Acre' when decked for the harvest festival.

Redisham Church

Redisham

Time: 3h30

1 lunch spot: the Shadingfield Fox

Warnings: Livestock graze parts of the route — keep dogs under close control; one road section has no footway, so beware traffic.

Walk details: East Suffolk Lines (PDF).

The longest and most rewarding walk in the series, through isolated, remote countryside, woodland, lush meadows and the light terrain of the Suffolk Sandlings; this option detours to the world-famous Snape Maltings, where the route meets the Sandlings Walk and the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Path.

Snape Maltings

Time: 7h

Lunch: Crown and Golden Key pubs in Snape village.

Warnings: Cross the busy A12 with caution; the valley bottom and one section near the cottage can be waterlogged or flooded in winter.

Walk details: East Suffolk Lines (PDF).

Field and park paths to the picturesque village of Yoxford — known as 'The Garden of Suffolk' — approached across the pastures of Rookery Park along a line of ancient oaks; the village was once a staging point on the London-to-Yarmouth turnpike.

Yoxford

Lunch: Village shop and the Griffin and King's Head pubs in Yoxford.

1 end-of-walk reward: Darsham Nurseries Café

Warnings: Cross the main roads with extreme caution.

Walk details: East Suffolk Lines (PDF).

Broad valley views above the little River Yox, through the village of Bramfield — whose thatched church has a detached round tower and the best rood screen in Suffolk, with a fine crinkle-crankle wall opposite — then riverside meadows along the Blyth to Halesworth.

St Andrew's Church, Bramfield

Bramfield

Lunch: Darsham Nurseries café near the level crossing at the start.

1 end-of-walk reward: the Cut Arts Centre Café

Warnings: The route crosses a golf course — follow the white marker stakes.

Walk details: East Suffolk Lines (PDF).

Through the green parklands surrounding Redisham Hall — country of the East Anglian writer Adrian Bell, who farmed nearby in the 1940s — a delightful interlude in a predominantly arable landscape, with a riverside finish on the Waveney at Beccles.

Redisham

Beccles

Lunch: No pubs or shops directly on the route (the Horseshoes Inn at Ringsfield Corner is about ¼ mile off route) — carry food and drink.

1 end-of-walk reward: Beccles Station Café

Warnings: Cattle often graze the Redisham Hall meadows — keep dogs under close control; cross the busy B1062 with care.

Walk details: East Suffolk Lines (PDF).

A walk of contrasts between ancient and modern Suffolk — a 'Fantastical' modern house topped by a metal dragon set against traditional farmsteads — following part of the former perimeter track of the WW2 airfield that was home to the US fighter group famed as 'Zemke's Wolfpack', whose memorials and museum stand among ancient hedgerows.

Halesworth (Holton) Airfield Memorial Museum

Time: 2h30

End-of-walk reward: No pubs or shops on the route; plenty of choice in Halesworth (seasonal teas at Sunnyside Farm, Westhall, on Thursdays and Fridays in August).

Warnings: Brampton station serves an isolated community with no amenities — the walk is best done north to south, ending at Halesworth.

Walk details: East Suffolk Lines (PDF).

Part of the Angles Way along the River Waveney from the lovely country town of Beccles, with panoramas across the Suffolk Wildlife Trust's Castle Marshes and Carlton Marshes reserves to the open water of Oulton Broad.

St Michael's Church, Beccles

Beccles

Lunch: The Waveney Inn (reached via foot ferry) and the Ivy House Country Hotel; plenty of choice at Beccles and Oulton Broad.

1 end-of-walk reward: the Ivy House Country Hotel

Walk details: East Suffolk Lines (PDF).

A pleasant, mainly rural walk on footpaths and farm tracks through farmland, with some stiles and a couple of kissing gates. The approach into Ipswich is along the busy Wherstead Road and which has a pavement but is tedious. A diversion to Pin Mill is highly recommended. St Michael's church near Ipswich high school is open to the public.

Time: 5h30–11h

Lunch: There is also a shop at Chelmondiston.

Warnings: Some stiles and a kissing gate; sheep in fields near the Ipswich high school.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A largely flat and easy walk on the Angles Way and local paths, on paved and unpaved footpaths winding along the river and grazing marsh, then through boatyards into Lowestoft. Wide paths for the most part; muddy and slippy in winter, a bit exposed to the elements and with a few kissing gates but no stiles. Follows the established Angles Way from Beccles to Oulton Broad. Passes the Carlton Marshes nature reserve with bird hides and abundant wildlife (great egrets, little egrets, geese and ducks). Public toilets by the boatyard in Beccles. Bus and train to each end.

Waterway: four fifths along the River Waveney.

Time: 5h–9h30

Lunch: Little until the Carlton Marshes visitor centre, after which there are many pubs, cafes and hotels.

Warnings: The riverside path is exposed to the elements, so dress accordingly; the path past the boatyards in Oulton Broad can be wet with the tide.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Time: 8h30–16h30

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Reverse direction: the Saturday Walkers Club.