Lavenham Woodland walk
An easy circular walk that's great for families. Spot wildlife in the Lavenham Woodland community project, walk a section of the old Lavenham to Long Melford railway line, and marvel at the parish church with its towering spire. Will you spot some of the 24 varieties of butterfly seen in the area?
Total steps: 7
Total steps: 7
Start point
Lavenham Guildhall, grid ref: TL916493
Step 1
Starting from the Guildhall, walk to your left across Market Square, then head down Market Lane to the High Street. Turn right at the bottom and cross the road. Continue along High Street for about 300yd (274m), and over the old railway bridge, ignoring the sign on the left to 'The Lavenham Walk'. You're now on Bury Road. A little further up on the left-hand side of Bury Road is the entrance to Dyehouse Field.
Step 2
Before you explore the Woodland Project, survey the scene from the bench over to the right of the entrance – it's made entirely from recycled plastic bags.
Step 3
After exploring the project, head down to the more wooded section, along the path with the hedgerow on your right. A short distance later take the right-hand fork, and after 100yd (92m) go over a small wooden bridge at the boundary and up to the Lavenham Railway walk, turning right.
Step 4
Walk along the length of this track, passing through a metal gate at Park Road and through another gate opposite.
Step 5
When you reach the old railway bridge, go under it, then use the path that ascends on the right-hand side to get up to the road. (The Railway walk further on from here is a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest [SSSI], and would take you right through to Long Melford.) At the top, turn right and head back over the bridge towards Lavenham. Be careful as you're now going to walk for a while along Bridge Street Road, which can be busy at times.
Step 6
Using the tower of Lavenham Church as a landmark to your left, continue along Bridge Street Road until you reach a stand of small trees on your left and a footpath sign. Follow this footpath onto the lane that loops around the back of the church.
Step 7
Following this lane will bring you back to Lavenham High Street, almost opposite the Swan Hotel. Turn left back up the High Street and cross the road. Turn right up Market Lane and then back to the Guildhall, where you could finish your walk with a drink or bite to eat in the tea-room.
End point
Lavenham Guildhall, grid ref: TL916493
Trail map
More near here
Lavenham to Long Melford railway walk
Walk amid wild flowers, birds and animals along the disused Great Eastern railway line between two medieval ‘wool’ villages, starting at the Guildhall and finishing at Melford Hall, Long Melford.
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