South and Heart of Suffolk Walking Festival

1 February 2008

The first South and Heart of Suffolk Walking Festival will be taking place between 10 and 26 May giving visitors and local people alike the chance to explore the Suffolk countryside with the aid of local guides, historians and naturalists.

Packed with over 40 graded walks in a variety of locations to suit all tastes and capabilities, the programme includes a country ramble along the former towpath of the River Gipping between Needham Market and Ipswich; a medieval meander through the historic wool towns of Lavenham and Long Melford and a walk that visits a wooden ‘henge’ and takes in a scarecrow trail. Many of the routes include a refreshment stop at a Suffolk country pub for lunch or a historic house for afternoon tea.

The festival will appeal to many who wish to visit this lovely part of the county and enjoy its beauty, as author of ‘A Suffolk Summer’ John Appleby did when he wrote: “The English Landscape at its subtlest and loveliest is to be seen in the county of Suffolk”.

Walks vary in length from 1 mile (1hr 15mins) for a guided amble through Stowmarket up to 12 miles (5.5 hours) for a circular route around Stradbroke with a picnic lunch in the countryside. Some are free, otherwise prices range from £1 up to £15 for a walk around Lavenham and high tea in the luxurious medieval Swan Hotel.

Further information can be found at Southandheartofsuffolk.org.uk. Pre-booking is essential for most walks – booking details vary and are included in the programme; children are welcome (under 16s accompanied by an adult), some walks are accessible and dogs on a lead are welcome on many.

For a copy of the Choose Suffolk short breaks brochure which provides an overview of the county, visit Choosesuffolk.com.