Best walks to or from Thurston

Thurston Station to Bury St Edmunds Station

A walk of outstanding historical and architectural interest on field paths and quiet lanes, passing Rougham and Rushbrooke churches and following a road of Roman origin at Eastlow Hill, with a memorable approach to the historic town of Bury St Edmunds across No Man's Meadows.

12km. 4h.

Highlights: Rougham Church (a lofty medieval church with East Anglian flint flushwork and a magnificent timber roof), Rushbrooke Estate (the little church and parkland surviving from a Tudor mansion demolished in 1961), St Edmundsbury Cathedral (its Millennium gothic tower, completed in 2005, dominates the approach across No Man's Meadows), and Bury St Edmunds.

Documented by Mid Anglia Rail Passengers Association.

Elmswell Station to Thurston Station

A varied walk through gentle Suffolk countryside with contrasting natural habitats. The longer route leads through Norton Wood, an ancient woodland, across marsh and rough grazing in the shallow Black Bourn valley and the Grove Farm nature reserve, then on via Pakenham's parish church and parkland.

13km. 4h30.

The marsh and rough grazing in the Black Bourn valley may be very wet underfoot in winter and spring. Can be muddy.

Highlights: Norton Wood (one of Suffolk's many ancient woodlands), Grove Farm (a Suffolk Wildlife Trust nature reserve of marsh and rough grazing), and Pakenham Church (an interesting medieval parish church set in verdant parkland).

Lunch: A welcoming pub in the centre of Norton village (on both routes).

Documented by Mid Anglia Rail Passengers Association.