Suffolk

Lavenham Woodland walk

Close-up of a Brown Argus butterfly on a leaf — Brown argus is one of the many butterflies you may spot on the walk | © National Trust Images/Ian Ward

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?

Near to

Lavenham Guildhall

Start point

Lavenham Guildhall, grid ref: TL916493

Address
Lavenham Guildhall, Market Place, Lavenham, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 9QZ
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Sudbury, 7 miles (11km).
National Rail
On foot
The 4-mile (6.4km) Railway walk links Lavenham with Long Melford.
By bus
Chambers 753 Bury St Edmunds to Colchester (passes close to Bury St Edmunds train station and Sudbury train station).
Cycling
South Suffolk Cycle Route A1.
Sustrans
By road
Take the A1141 off the A1134, which will take you directly into Lavenham High Street, then take the turning for Water Street followed by Lady Street, which leads you into the Market Square, and the Guildhall is straight in front of you. Satnav: CO10 9QZ.
Total stages: 7
Total stages: 7
Start point
Lavenham Guildhall, grid ref: TL916493
Stage 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.
Stage 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.
Butterflies and other wildlife
As well as ladybirds and grasshoppers, 24 species of butterfly have been recorded in Dyehouse Field. One of the discoveries has been the quite rarely observed brown argus butterfly, spotted in an open area of the site – volunteers are now working to develop its preferred habitat. You can see many other species along other sections of the walk. Badger, weasel, field vole, muntjac deer, grass snake, common lizard and slow-worm are just a few examples.
Stage 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.
Stage 4
Walk along the length of this track, passing through a metal gate at Park Road and through another gate opposite.
Stage 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.
Walkers on the Lavenham to Long Melford Railway walk | © National Trust Images/Richard Scott
Stage 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.
A postcard of Lavenham Church, one of a collection at Felbrigg | © National Trust
Stage 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.
Enjoy a drink or light bite at the Guildhall's tea-room | © National Trust Images/John Millar
End point
Lavenham Guildhall, grid ref: TL916493
Trail map
Map of the Lavenham Woodland walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
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The half-timbered medieval exterior of Lavenham Guildhall, Suffolk

Trail

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.

Market Place, Lavenham, Sudbury, Suffolk, CO10 9QZ

01787247646

lavenhamguildhall@nationaltrust.org.uk

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