Reinterred: Stoke-by-Nayland Walk

Today we had a lovely scenic walk from Stoke-by-Nayland with plenty of ups and downs.

This was the invite from Joyce.

"Wednesday June 11th Stoke by Nayland and different to our usual walk here. We will explore Thorington Street, the edge of Shelley and more of Polstead. It will be more of a Rightmove Walk with lots of big houses to covet. Please park at the Recreation Ground Car Park (School Street, Stoke by Nayland CO6 4QY) at 10am. The nearby church has a toilet so arrive earlier if you want to use that first. I have mapped out a circular walk of 11.5 miles. Weather looks warm so bring everything you need as limited facilities en route. Village Community shop is open at Polstead as we pass after lunch."

There were 12 of us on the walk today and this was our route. We went anti-clockwise.

Here are a few of my photos.

Off we go.

We started by going down The Downs....

...not forgetting to look back up.

Then along the bottom we could still see the church.

We approached Tendring Hall Farm along the edge of the Tendring Hall estate. All that remains of John Soane's 1784 house is the main portico (listed grade II) which now stands alone in the park on the high ground to the north. It is constructed of red brick with four Ionic columns on the north-east front and semicircular arched window openings on the sides. Above is a stone plinth impost band with frieze and cornice.

We passed the farm and continued along the valley of the River Box.

We came across a wonderful sprawling rambling rose here.

Walking along a road now, we were passed by a vehicle that brushed the verge releasing a heady scent of mint, which was growing all along the road edge.

We turned northwards here...

...towards Thorington Street.

We found a colourful Cinnamon Moth on the road. It looked like it was injured by we decided to let it be.

Through the hamlet of Thorington Street.

We crossed the River Box.

A steep climb now, but we got great views looking back.

We passed Bobwrights farm, as we had done a few times before.

We reached Withermarsh Green.

The paths through the fields today were all well maintained. No wondering where the paths had gone as we had last Friday.

This is Shelley Priory, an 18th century Grade II listed farmhouse, some time known as Burnt House. It is currently on sale with a guide price of £1.6m (see here).