The historic villages of Wherstead and Freston are great for exploring the unique farmed and estuary landscapes of the Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB. The walks take in Freston Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Calculated time: 1h45[?] 
Distance : 3.49mi
Vertical gain : 141ft
Vertical drop : 161ft
Highest point : 135ft
Lowest point : 7ft 
Difficulty : Easy
Back to starting point : Yes
Walking
Location : Wherstead
Starting point : N 52.024514° / E 1.156444° 
(D/A) Start the walk at the Suffolk Food Hall. Head south-east across the paddocks in front of the Food Hall, taking in the stunning view down the River Orwell. Cross the middle of the field towards the main road, taking care as you cross Freston Brook along a narrow verge. After a bit of birdwatching at the bottom of Freston Hill, you enter Freston Wood SSSI, woodland typical of this part of the Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB.
(1) Leave the wood at St Peter’s Church, Freston, largely restored by local architect R.T.Orr in 1874. It includes an Arts & Crafts styled octagonal vestry and a sensitive rescue of the C15th tower and the C14th east window. Right on to the lane around to the village (taking care on the road).
(2) On leaving the village take the footpath on your right, to Freston Lodge Farm. At end of lane go straight, down through the meadow valley, across Freston Brook and along the line of poplar trees, to the Orwell Nursing Home.
(3) Turn right onto Redgate Lane and turn left at Redgate Farm. Walk back across the paddocks for lunch or tea back at the Suffolk Food Hall.(D/A)
Waypoints :
D/A : mi 0 - alt. 33ft - Suffolk Food Hall
1 : mi 1.15 - alt. 125ft - St Peter’s Church
2 : mi 1.65 - alt. 118ft - Footpath
3 : mi 2.5 - alt. 121ft - Redgate Lane
D/A : mi 3.49 - alt. 33ft - Suffolk Food Hall
Easy – Ground under foot fairly flat, one stile. This walk takes you onto public roads. Please be aware of traffic. We recommend high visibility clothing.
Visorando and this author cannot be held responsible in the case of accidents or problems occuring on this walk.
Global average : 4.11/5
Number of opinions : 3
Description quality : 4/5
Routemap quality : 4/5
Walk interest : 4.33/5
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 24/05/21
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Good
Route description at the church was a bit vague but the map proved to be useful - we should have used it from the start!
Global average : 4.33 / 5
Date of walk
: 13/05/21
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Very good
We began the walk at the Suffolk Food Hall and had a coffee outside with fantastic view over the Orwell. Our reason for doing the walk was because we had read that Freston Wood was a good place to see bluebells at this time of year. We were not disappointed. On entering the wood, we were met with swathes of wild garlic, their creamy white flowers making a carpet on our left. Even though the weather was windy, inside the wood was very quiet and calm. The wild garlic succeeded to the anticipated bluebells which grew on both sides of the path in great numbers. Very magical especially as there was a lot of dead wood left in situ. The scent of both garlic and bluebells was very strong.
On exiting we tried to visit the church but it was locked. However the churchyard had some fine monuments including one to a 4 year old infant and an unusual statue in wood of victory to commemorate the dead of WW1.
We did a detour to the pub The Freston Boot and had an excellent meal.
The remainder of the walk back to the Food Hall was down a surprising valley. We encountered cows in two fields but they were not a problem.
Best walk to do in the spring!
Global average : 4 / 5
Date of walk
: 15/11/20
Description quality
: Good
Routemap quality
: Good
Walk interest
: Good
first time on this walk. route includes some pretty countryside and walking through woods etc. Could have picked a better day to go as very muddy after heavy morning rain.... will do it again in the spring/summer and have a coffee and ice cream at Suffolk Food Hall.
4.71mi
+112ft
-131ft
2h15
Easy
Starting point in Wherstead - Suffolk On the ‘Wherstead Woodlands’ walk, you can see more ancient woodland, the Stalls Valley, farmland and the villages of Wherstead and Freston.
8.02mi
+131ft
-128ft
3h50
Average
Starting point in Chelmondiston - Suffolk This circular walk through the countryside of Suffolk includes a section alongside the River Orwell. The route takes you inland passing Erwarton Hall and the fine church at Church End to the banks of the Orwell from where you can see Felixstowe Docks. The walk then heads north along the Orwell following the Stout and Orwell Walk.
3.02mi
+30ft
-30ft
1h25
Easy
Starting point in Stutton - Suffolk This walk gives fantastic views over Alton Water Park. The longer walk leads you to Holbrook Creek and passes through the pretty village of Stutton. A shorter walk visits a nature reserve and the Tattingstone Clifton Wonder, a building designed to deceive!
4.68mi
+79ft
-79ft
2h15
Easy
Starting point in Stutton - Suffolk This walk gives fantastic views over Alton Water Park. The longer walk leads you to Holbrook Creek and passes through the pretty village of Stutton. A shorter walk visits a nature reserve and the Tattingstone Clifton Wonder, a building designed to deceive!
2.63mi
+92ft
-98ft
1h15
Easy
Starting point in Ramsey and Parkeston - Essex This walk takes in woodland, farmland, quiet meadows and the River Stour where saltmarsh and mudflats provide habitats for wildlife.
4.01mi
+102ft
-102ft
1h55
Easy
Starting point in Ramsey and Parkeston - Essex This walk takes in woodland, farmland, quiet meadows and the River Stour where saltmarsh and mudflats provide habitats for wildlife.
6.02mi
+75ft
-75ft
2h50
Average
Starting point in Shotley - Suffolk A Suffolk circular walk that starts from Shotley Gate on the confluence of the Stour and Orswell Rivers. The route offers an interesting insight into the operation of the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich together with a lengthy section of the Stour and Orwell Walk. The walk follows the shore for much of the way but ventures inland via Church End and Erwarton Hall to complete the circuit.
5.37mi
+102ft
-105ft
2h35
Easy
Starting point in Shotley - Suffolk This walk explores the Orwell and Stour estuaries. Enjoy superb views of Harwich Haven and the Port of Felixstowe.
For more walks, use our search engine.
The GPS track and description are the property of the author.
