Saxmundham Walk

Today it was Glen's turn to lead a walk for the group. This was the invite.

"Thank you Glen for leading a walk this Thursday 8th.  The meeting point is  Market Place car park in Saxmundham, just off the High Street, postcode IP17 1AG. I believe a £4 charge applies. Public toilet facilities there should be available. I suggest aiming for a 10.15 am prompt departure. The walk pass Benhall Church, Carlton and Kelsale. It’s about 8 miles but can be extended it a little bit further to take in some additional streets in Saxmundham itself if the group is keen to go a little bit further.  Packed lunch needed. The plan is to consume it at Kelsale Churchyard.
Of course, the car park charge can be avoided if you find a residential side street to the west of the railway line to park in instead, but allow extra time to make your way to the meeting point. "

I was early enough to park the others side of the railway line and met the others in the Market Place Car Park as planned. I don't remember walking from there before, but Roland said he thought it was familiar.

This was our route.

We went clockwise, heading south first and then west to Benhall Church before recrossing the A12 and heading north towards Kensale and back via some of the East Suffolk Lines path.

Here are a few of my photos.

We passed the town water pump  cast by Garretts of Leiston and given to the town by the Long family in 1838, close to the start....

and then the resplendently white  Market Hall.

Soon we were out in the countryside. Looking across to the east behind us we got good views of the 19th century Grade II listed Hurts Hall.

The railway crossing is rather old fashioned with a gate you have to open.... and warnings of a fine of £1000 it you leave it open.

We had pleasant paths across the fields...

to St. Mary's, Benhall Church, which is some distance from the village.

Here we saw this bird of prey hovering - a kestrel, I think.

We passed this interesting carved wooden bench with its ladybirds and rabbits....

..and then Skouldings Mill, a Grade II listed seven storey tower mill that has been converted to residential accommodation.

We reached St. Mary and St. Peter Church, Kelsale. Some parts of the churchyard have been left wild.

The church itself is quite large considering the size of the village.

 According to Simon, "One of the most interesting features of this church, ES Prior's lychgate of about 1890". It also has seating making it a great place for our lunch break.

I liked the inscription over the gate.

Passing through the village we saw these campion roses.

And here was today's weak bridge, as we recrossed the railway line.

The gardens are well-tended.

Looking back towards Kelsale Church.

Now we were on the East Suffolk Lines path.

Some of it was rather enclosed. "I hope nobody on the walk today suffers from claustrophobia", said Geln.

And then we were back in Saxmundham.

Thank-you Glen for the interesting walk along paths new to the ggroup.

You can see more details of our route here on MapMyWalk and more of my photos here on Flickr.