Coast & Heaths Explorer Guide

The Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB The Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is one of Britain’s finest landscapes. It extends from the Stour estuary in the south to the eastern fringe of and north to . The AONB covers 403 square kilometres, including wildlife rich wetlands, ancient Alton Water Park heaths, windswept shingle beaches and historic towns and villages. Key to Map Visiting Alton Water Park Beccles Explorer Guide AONB area Additional project area Kessingland Ordnance Survey Explorer Map No. 197 Lowestoft Towns and villages A145 (Ipswich, and Harwich) Key to Map A12 Woodland Beccles AONB area Access via the B1080 from the A137. Heathland Halesworth Additional project area Kessingland Parking can be limited on very busy Main roads Towns and villages A145 Railways/stations A12 River days. Car parking charges apply. Woodland Blyth HeathlandSuffolk Coast Path/Stour Blythburgh Walberswick and Orwell Walk HalesworthA144 Public transport information: Main roads Southwold Railways/stationsSandlings Walk River www.suffolkonboard.com or call Blyth SuffolkSailor s’Coast Path Path/Stour A1120 Blythburgh Walberswick 0845 606 6171 and Orwell Walk A144 SandlingsYou are Whealkre Minsmere Dunwich Sailors’ Path A1120 You are here Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB Framlingham Minsmere Saxmundham 01394 384948 Framlingham Leiston www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org Saxmundham Leiston

Snape Wickham Snape Market River Wickham Aldeburgh Market River Alde Rendlesham Alde A12 Rendlesham A12 River River Alton Water Park Explorer has Orford OrfordOre Ore been produced with the generous WWoodbridgeoodbridge Orford NessOrford Ness Sutton HooSutton support of Anglian Water. Hoo Ipswich North 01780 686800 Ipswich River North A14 Deben Sea River www.anglianwater.co.uk A14 DebenBawdsey Sea A14 Trimley St Mary/ A12 A14St Martin Alton Water Trimley St Mary/ Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB Park River Orwell OS Licence info. © Crown copyright A12 A137 St Martin and database rights 2012 Ordnance is a partner of the BALANCE Alton Water Felixstowe Park River Stour Survey 100023395. project, part-financed by the ManningtreeA137 Shotley Harwich European Union through the Mistley Felixstowe River Stour Interreg IV A 2 Seas Cross- Manningtree Harwich border Programme. Mistley Enjoy two fascinating walks starting from the Alton Water Park Visitor Centre. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Printed on Recycled, FSC, ECF, Carbon Balanced paper. Research, text and some images by Simon Peachey Research, Carbon Balanced paper. Printed on Recycled, FSC, ECF, Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Alton Water Park includes the largest expanse of inland water in Suffolk and is a popular Alton Water Park destination for walkers, birdwatchers and water sports enthusiasts. The beautiful River Suffolk Coast & Heaths Explorer Guide Stour and the villages of Stutton, and Holbrook await discovery nearby!

Highlights of the Walks 3 The Royal Hospital School is the huge building on the horizon. The school was founded in Greenwich in 1712, moving to its present site in 1933. The impressive buildings were designed by Arts 1 was Alton Water Park reservoir and Crafts architect Herbert Tudor Buckland. The bell tower is a local created between 1974 and 1987 to supply landmark and the bells toll throughout the day. Until recently, entry to water to Ipswich and Felixstowe. It is the school was limited to boys from seafaring families. Although this owned and managed by Anglian Water. A requirement no longer applies and the school is now co-educational, Before the reservoir was built, several farms the maritime links are proudly maintained. For example, students wear and a watermill nestled in the valley. To naval uniform on formal occasions. preserve local heritage, Alton Watermill was dismantled and relocated to the Museum of East Anglian Life in . Today, 4 The village of Stutton contains many Alton Water Park provides a home for many fine buildings. St Peter’s Church dates from plants and animals. Thousands of birds the 1300s. Look for the beautiful flint work such as wigeon, pochard and teal spend on the walls. Next door is Quarhams, a fine the winter here. Summer visitors include medieval timber framed house dating from chiffchaff and common tern. Anglian B the 1400s. In the centre of the village is the Water has created nature reserve areas to Ancient House, which features decorative encourage more wildlife. plaster work, known as ‘pargetting’. D

C 2 Holbrook Creek is one of many tidal inlets on the river Stour. The reed beds 5 The Tattingstone Wonder is an and salt marshes are a great habitat for illusion! In the 1700s, the local squire, wildlife, particularly birds. Avocet, ringed Edward White, wanted to improve the plover and redshank are year round view from his house, Tattingstone Place. residents whilst reed warblers arrive in He did this by building a false tower on the spring. Migrating birds, including a row of cottages to create the outline geese, sandpipers and greenshank can be of a church. The tower only has three spotted in the spring and autumn as they sides and is open at the back. stop to rest and feed. The nearby mudflats also provide a magic, sticky habitat for plants and animals. The river was once an Images: Front cover: Alton Water Reservoir - Anglian Water. important trade route, carrying goods to A. Alton Water Park – nature has colonised the banks of the reservoir - Anglian Water. B. Rose Hips – important winter and from the port of Mistley. food for birds. C. Holbrook Creek – mudflats and saltmarsh. D. St. Peter’s Church – tucked away in the trees. E. The E Tattingstone Wonder – designed to deceive! These two walks give fantastic views over Alton Water Park. The longer walk leads you to Holbrook Creek and passes through the pretty village Alton Water Park of Stutton. A shorter walk visits a nature reserve and the Tattingstone Suffolk Coast & Heaths Explorer Guide Clifton WoodWonder, a building designed to deceive!

© Crown copyright and database rights 2012 Ordnance Survey 100023395.

5 Holbrook Larch Holbrook Wood Gardens 1

All Saints Church Chestnut B1080 Spinney Oak Broom Spinney Covert Alton Water Dam Park Park Argent Buck Covert Wood Manor Wood Stable Covert

The Royal Across the Dam Hospital School and Up the Creek Wildlife and Wonder Canham 4 3 Wood Short-cut B Road Wolves Holly Wood Wood Stutton C Road Lady Owen 1 ‘Highlights’ Location Wood St. Peter’s Church Parking B1080 Harkstead 2 Public House / Refreshments N Holbrook Holbrook Mill 1000ft Creek 200m Crepping Church Hall Wood Settlements Dogs are Wooded Areas welcome, please keep them under ‘Across the Dam and control and on Distance lead as advised Up the Creek’ 5 miles (8 km)

At main road, carefully cross and Time: 2 hours 30 mins continue straight along Alton Hall D Terrain: Ground uneven in places. Some Lane. Shortly after row of houses, take sloping ground. Some parts may be path right along field edge. Follow muddy. One stile on route. Some sections this path, ignoring right turn, until it beside deep water. Look out for cyclists reaches track alongside reservoir. Turn on reservoir paths. Part of route on right and walk back to car park. public roads. Please be aware of traffic. We recommend high visibility clothing. A Distance ‘Wildlife and Wonder’ 3 miles (4.8 km) Leave Alton Water Park car park, walk past café and turn right alongside Time: 1 hour 30 mins road. Turn left over dam and take Easy – Ground under foot path that veers right on far side. Terrain: mainly flat. Paths and tracks can Follow path downhill into woodland. be muddy. Some sections beside Ignore path on left and continue deep water. Look out for cyclists on straight, crossing open area with trees. reservoir paths. When road is reached, turn right B along pavement. Pass Holbrook Mill Leave Alton Water Park car and walk across wooden walkway over When you reach track and park, walk past café, turn left and pond. At end of walkway, carefully river wall at Holbrook Creek, cross road, following signs for E cross road. Turn left and take track turn right, go through gate ‘Tattingstone Wonder’. Follow track beside house with tall chimneys. Follow and follow path around to left. until you reach large information track until right bend and then Pass Holbrook Boathouse and take board showing nature trails. path that leads off right. follow track left along river wall. Turn right and follow grass path, Follow winding path beside stream. keeping reservoir on right. When Cross farm track and continue along Follow river wall until you path splits, keep right. Follow path beside stream. reach fence, turn right down path into trees. When you reach steps and follow path beside clearing, follow path to right of Countryside paddocks. On far side of pond. Keep on this path until Code paddocks, go through gap in junction with track. (Turn left here The area has a network of footpaths and hedge and turn left. Keep on for short cut back to car park). bridleways. We have shown suggested path past ponds and buildings. routes on this map. Here are a few simple At top of grassy area, follow Turn right and follow track to The suggestions to help you enjoy the area safely and assist our work in caring for it. path left as it joins road. Wonder car park. The Tattingstone Wonder (private property) is across Follow the Countryside Code: Plan ahead and follow any signs Walk along road past church. the road from the car park entrance. Keep straight on through Leave things as you find them Retrace steps and follow track back countryside to village. Protect plants and animals, control fires to start. and take your litter home. Dogs are very welcome, but please keep Follow road through village F and around sharp right bend. them under close control at all times and on lead as advised. Images: A. The Dam - a feat of construction. B. Thank you. Holbrook Mill - now a private house. C. Boats at Holbrook Creek - resting on the Find out more about the Countryside Code: mudflats at low tide. D. Stutton Village - one www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk of many pretty buildings. E. Alton Water Park - beautiful throughout the year. F. Sails on Alton Water Park - a great place for sail training and C watery fun - Alton Water Sports Centre.