MAY 2014

essentialsuffolk.com52

PUB WALKSwith Darcy

With spring upon us, andincreasing daylight hoursavailable to walk, this monthwe offer you a slightlylonger route passing along a beautiful stretch of theFynn Valley, starting andending at the dog friendlyWesterfield Swan

www.christchurchvets.co.uk

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Regular readers of Darcy’s pub walks will know I enjoylooking at maps, searching for new routes where we can takeher, and as always ending a dog friendly pub to quench thethirst we may have generated. I was particularly pleased withdevising this walk as it ticks so many of the boxes we look toachieve. Beautiful views, places for Darcy to run freestretching her legs and where roads are encountered, as fromtime to time they will be, for the most part they are quietlanes. It also is unique in Darcy’s walks to date as you willvisit three villages.

Starting and ending at the dog friendly Westerfield Swan we head out of the village and over fields towardsTuddenham. On this route I found myself walking frombetween hedgerows and past footpath signs that I had seen ahundred times from my car without ever really thinkingwhere one path had come from or where the next one mayemerge. There is something about travelling on foot thatallows you to really appreciate where you live. The highlightfor me is a stretch along a section of the Fynn Valley Walkfrom Tuddenham, and behind the golf course, eventuallyemerging at the edge of Witnesham before heading back tothe start. As with our previous Westerfield walk the end stagedoes involve a short stretch of walking along the main roadout of the village but with verges wide enough to easilyaccommodate dog and party this should not put anyone off.

EssentialSUFFOLK 53

The Swan at Westerfield on the outskirts of Ipswich isthe ideal location to enjoy our excellent range of wines,ales and delicious food in a great atmosphere with or

without your dog.

Whether you choose to relax inside our recentlyrefurbished interior or take advantage of our extensiveoutdoor seating you’ll find us the ideal place to take the

weight off your feet after your walk.

Our menu offers a wonderful selection of dishesprepared with love from the best local ingredients

where practical. The menu include honest ‘pub grub’alongside more contemporary dishes, all freshly

prepared and presented by friendly, efficient staff.There will always be seasonal specials which you can

discover on our blackboards on the day.

You’re now able to make an online reservation request.We’ll get back to you either by email or phone to

confirm your booking or to arrange an available time.

Westerfield Road, Westerfield Ipswich, Suffolk IP6 9AJ

01473 251447

debeninns.co.uk/swan

1. From the Swan car park turn left and pass in front of the pub. Keep walking until you have passed all the houses and reached the village 30 mph speed sign.

2. After approx. 150 yds beyond the speed sign take the footpath (FP) on the right and cross the field. At the end of the first field the path follows a track across the middle of the next field. At the end of the next field continue with the hedge to your left and the farm building ahead of you.

3. At the barn turn left and walk down the road. After approx. 600 yds the road meets another. Continue straight ahead keeping on the pavement on your left.

4. Before you reach the Tuddenham Fountain pub take the bridleway sign on your left. Follow the track for approx. 600 yds until you reach a metal gate quickly followed by a latched metal gate with a yellow andblue bridleway disc on the post. Pass through the gate and keep to theleft of the field. After a short while the path passes behind some trees on the left by a wire fence.

5. The path passes by some homes. Continue to follow the track (which turns to tarmac) straight ahead. The 30 mph sign that you soon see ahead marks where this track meets the main road.

6. At road turn left and cross over walking on the road for approx.100yds7. Straight afterWells Farm, on your right, take the FP sign going up

some steps. The path follows the edge of the field.8. ATTENTION NEEDED HERE. After a short while you pass a

telegraph pole and stile on your right. Walk past the stile, ignore the turning to the right (a path to Cockfield Hall –see map) continue straight ahead following FP sign. The path turns to the right and after approx. 50 yds passes through a gap in a hedge and across another field. You will see buildings ahead. The path passes to right of these.

9. Pass beside a metal gate and turn left. Walk down this quiet lane until you meet the main road. This will take 10-15 minutes depending on your pace.

10. At the main road turn right. Initially there is no pavement but a substantial grass verge that will keep you out of the path of the oncoming traffic. After approx. 5 minutes you will reach the Westerfield village sign and pavement. Retrace your steps back to the Swan.

THE WALKDistance: Approx. 4.5 milesTime: Approx. 1hr 40 minutesTerrain: Generally easy. Fields, paths, lanes. Some road crossingStops: TheWesterfield SwanOrdinance Survey Map: Explorer 197Start Point OS reference: 176 478 (The Swan Car Park)

As always please keep your dog under close control and follow anyadvisory signs. For a printable version of this and previous walks go to:www.essentialsuffolk.com/dog-walks where you will also findmore pictures of each walk route.