(S/E) 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 Freston Wood. Follow the lane right. Continue on the lane to ‘T’ junction at Freston Village, turning right through village centre. Turn right after Bond Hall taking Bridleway to Broom Knoll. The lane narrows. After Broom Knoll, continue on farm track to Stall’s Valley and Cutler’s Wood, both designated as SSSI ancient woodlands.
(2) Between Valley Farm and Wherstead village walk along a farm track and see examples of good wildlife habitat created by the Paul family. New hedgerows and trees have been planted, to benefit birds such as Yellowhammer and mammals such as vole and hedgehog.
(3) From Wherstead village turn right at the ‘crossroads’. The walk back down to Suffolk Food Hall gives you a good view of the river Orwell and bridge. By looking right, across rolling farmland to the hedges and trees, you view an English landscape that helped make an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Also in the area are Orwell Country Park and two Suffolk Wildlife Trust sites at Levington and Trimley. (S/E)
. The Orwell views are great. Sections through Freston Wood were quite boggy, despite a couple of weeks of dry weather. The second time I carried on along Vicarage Lane at WP3 and turned right at its crossroads with The Street, waymarked Public Footpath The Church and River Orwell. The views were just as good and the path passed close to the church, adding a bit of interest.
