ROUTE FINDING Keyto landscape features You will need a basic understanding of maps and the ability to follow them. The walks can be followed in either direction, but if you go in the same way as the arrows, you won't have to turn the map around to fit the landscape. Parts of the Gipping - - -- Valley River Path may be flooded in exceptionally wet t ,C)c..k road weather, so you may need to find an alternative route. Make sure you have a good map of the local area. IPSWICH to NEEDHAM MARKET 11 ½ Miles - 6 Hours 0000 TIME Allow up to 6 hours for the whole route but add on time for refreshments, visiting nature reserves and churches. Shorter options are possible by using bus services linking villages along the Gipping Valley - Nos. 87, 88 or 88a.

OS Explorer sheets 197 Ipswich, Felixstowe and Harwich; also 211 Bury St Edmunds & Stowmarket. REFRESHMENTS Several pubs and shops in villages along the way or close by. ri vi?.< or stfe.o."" USEFUL INFORMATION https://www.firstgroup.com/norfolk-suffolk i so\ote�� lRiver Gipping Trust is preserving the historic heritage of the Stowmarket Navigation by restoring the structures that (some restored) can be seen along the way, as well enabled the navigation of the River Gipping from Stowmarket as picturesque water mills. PLEASE FOLLOW THE to the docks in Ipswich. It also cares for the flora and fauna of the Gipping Valley. New members are always welcome. See An alternatives tart can be made from Ipswichs tation COUNTRYSIDE CODE: our website for more details - by following the waymarked Churchman Way as far https://rivergippingtrust.org.uk as Sproughton, a route traversing the open spaces Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs of Gippeswyck and Chantryp arks. Tel: 03303 308531 Leave gates and property as you find them Protect plants and animals and take your email: [email protected] Another alternative can be followed between litter home Ramblers' Association protects rights of way and defends Gt 8/akenham and Needham Market, by using Keep dogs under close control the beauty of the countryside. Suffolk Area has seven local local paths linking the villages of Bay/ham and the groups including Ipswich, Stowmarket and Bury St Edmunds. Consider other people Contact www.ramblers.org 020 7339 8500 remote church at Darmsden, from where wide views across the valleycan be enjoyed. The information in this publication was, so far as is This edition published 2018 by the River Gipping Trust with known, correct at the time of publication. The publishers This walk has been designed to link in with public accept no responsibility for any errors, omissions or financial assistance from the Needham Market Town transport (bus and rail) at Ipswich and Needham Market changes in het information given. Council and Needham Market & Barking Welfare Charities Map 1.1 Map 1.3

Map 1.2

IPSWICH to NEEDHAM MARKET 11½ Miles — 6 hours Shorter options available https://rivergippingtrust.org.uk ROUTEFIND ING Key to landscape features You will need a basic understanding of maps and the ability to follow them. The walks can be followed in either direction, but if you go in the same way as the arrows, you won't have to turn the map around to fit the landscape. Parts of the - - -- Gipping Valley River Path may be flooded in exceptionally t,ac.k road wet weather, so you may need to find an alternative route. Make sure you have a good map of the local area. NEEDHAM MARKET TIME to STOWMARKET 0000 Allow about 2½ hours for the Gipping Route or 3 hours 4½ miles - 2½ hours via Badley but add on time for refreshments stops and visits to 6½ miles - 3 hours k reserves and churches.

OS Explorer sheet 211 Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket REFRESHMENTS Plenty of choice in Needham Market and Stowmarket USEFUL INFORMATION

https://www.firstgroup.com/norfolk-suffolk National Rail Enquiries www.nationalrail.co.uk 08457 48 49 50

i so\o.�t'2� tcQQ..t s Traveline www.traveline.info 0871 200 22 33 https://www.travel-galloway.com/Local-Bus BADLEY MILL https://eastanglianlife.org.uk/ The Gipping Valley River Path provides an easily WALKS IN THIS SERIES followed route, much of it along the towpath of the 1 Ipswich to Needham Market former navigation. Many old mills and the remains of 2 Needham Market to Stowmarket Jocks often enhance the scene, but north of Badley The River Gipping Trust is preserving the historic heritage Mill lock (TM 074568) walkers may prefer to deviate of the Stowmarket Navigation by restoring the structures that from the industrialised section of the canal to visit enabled the navigation of the River Gipping from Stowmarket Badley church, idyllically located in remote country­ PLEASE FOLLOW THE to the docks in Ipswich. It also cares for the flora and fauna of side. ElizabethI may have ridden along Badley Walk the Gipping Valley. New members are always when visiting the nearbyh all. COUNTRYSIDE CODE: welcome. See our website for more details - Combs wood, recorded in Domesday, is now a https://rivergippingtrust.org.uk Be safe - plan ahead and follow any signs Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserve of great interest, Leave gates and property as you find them Tel: 03303 308531 noted for oxlips, orchids and wood anemones. Protect plants and animals and take your Charcoal burners help maintain traditional litter home email: [email protected] management. Attractive vernacular buildings line Needham's main street, where the church of St Mary Keep dogs under close control Ramblers' Association protects rights of way and Consider other people defends the beauty of the countryside. Suffolk Area has has a spectacular late 15th Centurytim ber roof. seven local groups including Ipswich, Stowmarket and Bury Stowmarket is the home of the Museum of East St Edmunds. Contact www.ramblers.org 020 7339 8500 The information in this publication was, so faras known, Anglian Life. Roger Wolfe, Ramblers'Association volunteer correct at the time of publication. The publishers accept This edition published 2018 by the River Gipping Trust with This walk has been designed to link in with public no responsibilityfor any errors, omissions or changes in financial assistance from the Needham Market Town transport (bus and rail) at Needham Market and the information given. Council and Needham Market & Barking Welfare Charities Stowmarket. Map 2.1 Map 2.4

HAWKSMILL, NEEDHAM MARKET

Map 2.2 Map 2.3

NEEDHAM MARKET to ST OWMARKET

4½ miles - 2½ hours 6½ miles - 3 hours https://rivergippingtrust.org.uk THE PATH TO COMBS CHURCH