Kyson Hill and Kyson Point walk, near Woodbridge, Suffolk
Kyson Hill, although only 4 acres (1.6ha), is a special corner of coastal Suffolk, where the typical upper estuarine landscape is found within a very small area. The grassy hill, surrounded by wooded belts, sloping down to the saltings and mudflats of the tidal Deben, has been a favourite destination for a sunny day walk for generations of Woodbridge folk.
Escape to a tranquil countryside haven....Ideal for active families.
Map
Start:
Woodbridge train station car park grid ref: TM273487
1
Facing the railway station, at the left-hand end, cross over the footbridge to the quay, going straight ahead, passing the Woodbridge plaque and café to your left.
Boats
Both at the quay and along the route, a wide variety of yachts and other vessels may be seen either in the water or laid up, either for repair in the boatyards or for storage.
2
Follow the promenade to your right with the River Deben on your left. Carry on passing the 'Woodbridge Cruising Club' and 'Deben Rowing Club' on your right.
Woodbridge Cruising Club
The Club was founded in 1965 to encourage local sailors to explore the numerous estuaries on the East Coast and beyond: to the Thames, the South Coast, the Netherlands, Belgium and France. The club's members organise cruises throughout the summer and early autumn, including an introductory cruise of the season to check out the changing bar at the entrance to the River Deben. The club is open to visitors on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:00 – 14:30.
3
Keep straight along the promenade passing toilets on your right that are down a slipway and carry along past the Tea Hut café in the small park with the Deben Yacht Club on your left beside the river.
4
Leave clubhouses, boatyards and cafés behind you and stride out in the countryside along the tarmac footpath high up on the bank.
Silence
Out in the country, away from the bustle of the cafés, people and yacht clubs - total silence reigns supreme, perhaps broken only by the cries of the birds.
5
At the end of the tarmac path, just as you enter the wood-line, follow the path to the left coming across a public footpath sign. Take the left path down an incline (passing the Kyson House driveway on your right). At high tide, this route might be inaccessible - see small green metal sign on the left at ground level for the alternative route.
6
Walk along the estuary shore which may be wet and a bit muddy until you come to the Kyson Point sign by a big fallen log. Kyson Point is private property but you can see the brown shed and small yachts out of the water. Do not go forward along the path marked 'Public Footpath only to Martlesham Heath' but turn around at this point.
Birds
A huge variety of birds may be found along the route. During winter months, wigeons and dunlins may be seen and during the summer, sedge and reed warblers as well as common terns may be seen. Other birds along the estuary include oyster catchers, plovers, teals, little grebes, redshanks, little egrets, (pictured) black tailed godwits, and curlews.
7
Now retrace your steps along the estuary shore until you come to a track on your left. Head up this path until reaching the triple footpath sign on your right.
8
Keep to your left up the hill until reaching the National Trust sign and bench on your right which is effectively the top of Kyson Hill. Enter Kyson Hill and admire the views over the river estuary. Head down the slope keeping to your left and look out for a sign called Millennium Grove which relates to oak trees donated in 1998 by local company Notcutts Ltd, and arranged by the Woodbridge Millennium Committee.
River Deben estuary.
As you progress on this walk, the beautiful estuary is laid out before you with views across to gentle hills and woods off to the east and the river Deben winding its way out towards the sea. This view is from the top of Kyson Hill.
9
Continue down the 'laddered' path and turn left at the bottom.
10
At the railway line, cross over and go straight ahead along a gravel track until you reach the road when you turn right and pass a park on your right.
11
At the end of the road when it bears left, turn right down The Avenue and cross over the railway line again. Passing a model boating lake on your right (with toilets), turn left along the promenade and return to the station car park.
End:
Woodbridge train station car park grid ref: TM273487
