As you leave the village head towards countryside. The garden is open by Withermarsh Green and onto Giff ord’s appointment and as part of the National Hall Park 1 . Look out for the magnifi cent Garden Scheme. Tudor gate house which gives access to The route then continues towards the inner court of Giff ord’s Hall, a Grade 1 Nayland and eventually loops back to listed building. Stoke by Nayland. Here you will fi nd the Past Giff ord’s Hall Park the two routes fi ne ‘wool church’ of St Mary’s 6 . Built split, with the touring route heading up on the site of a 10th century Minster, Higham Hill towards Higham and skirting the church was rebuilt in the 15th the village of Lower before century, and renovated in 1865. Its tower arriving at Shelley. Here you will fi nd the dominates the surrounding area and the The Cock Inn, moated Shelley Hall 2 a lovely grade II church tower features in a number of listed building dating back to the early ’s paintings. 16th century. An attractive route that takes The short route heads past Giff ord’s REFRESHMENTS in some quaint villages and Hall Park towards Snakes Wood 3 . Public houses in Stoke by Nayland and This is an ancient woodland and nature Polstead. hamlets. There are a number of reserve. A lovely place to stop for a rest! TOILETS hills that are moderate to hard, Both routes then re-join and pass No public toilets. but with some great places Shelly Priory Farm before heading on to along the route to rest and Polstead. Here you will fi nd the medieval church of St Mary’s 4 . This building enjoy the views over the incorporates Norman and Anglo Saxon Stour Valley. elements while the site itself dates back The route starts in the delightful to the time of St Cedd’s legendary village of Stoke-by-Nayland where its -preaching under the Gospel Oak, in the historic wealth from the woollen trade grounds of Polstead Hall in circa AD 653. can clearly be seen in some of the fi ne This church is listed in Sir Simon Jenkins’ buildings. Parking is limited with street ‘One Thousand Best English Churches’. parking only in the village. Splitting once again, the short route

STOKE BY NAYLAND STOKE heads back towards Stoke by Nayland with the touring route heading down a quiet lane towards Stoke Priory 5 . This private property has a nine-acre View of Higham 6 garden with lovely views over the Suff olk Crown Copyright. All rights reserved. Suff olk County Council Licence No. 100023395 2013