Walks from Needham Market

A long, varied route following the River Gipping out of Needham Market towards Ipswich, then crossing farmland with woodland and several villages before reaching Woodbridge. There is a long section of road walking from Barham through Henley. Path surfaces range from grass and soil to gravel and concrete drives, with cambers, muddy sections and some faint field paths. Many kissing gates and stiles and footbridges. Follows the River Gipping through Needham Lakes. Buses serve Henley and Grundisburgh for intermediate access. Benches in several churchyards en route.

Time: 7h–14h

Lunch: A shop at Grundisburgh; refreshments at Baylham rare breeds farm.

Warnings: The plotted route comes onto the B1079 between blind bends near Woodbridge, a rat-run road best avoided via Hasketon. Some lanes have only intermittent verges with two cars a minute. Many kissing gates and stiles; some field paths are faint; one footbridge needs repair. The path crosses the railway via two stiles.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

A very beautiful walk; Beautiful, open landscapes. A beautiful, varied walk: the Ipswich end is largely tarmac main roads alongside a loud A-road, after which an off-road path tracks the River Gipping through open fields, ponds and woodland and past old mill buildings. A gentle and pretty winding river path. Follows the River Gipping for much of its length, passing Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm. The not-keen stretch is the long walk down Norwich Road in Ipswich.

Time: 4h30–8h30

Warnings: A bridge over the Old River between Pipps Lock and Creeting Lock was closed/fenced off (now resolved with a new bridge per a later review); check its status. The route around Great Blakenham and south of Baylham House Rare Breeds Farm would benefit from minor adjustments.

Walk details: Slow Ways.

Reverse direction: Mid Anglia Rail Passengers Association (PDF).