Today we had a circular walk from Stoke-by-Nayland - a favourite area to walk.
This was the invite from Joyce.
"Wednesday July 1st. A chance to enjoy this lovely area. We will park at the large Recreation Ground Car Park (School Street, Stoke by Nayland CO6 4QY) for a 10am start. Please head to the church if you want to use the toilet there and we will collect you as we pass. After 2 miles we will be at Polstead Village Community shop which should have drinks/loo. The walk is 10 miles and it is very undulating for Suffolk. Please bring a packed lunch as we will eat outside on grass."
There were 14 of us today. As it was going to be a bit far for me (especially with all the ups and downs) I had plotted a route with a shortcut after 5.8 miles that Dawn and I would take. In the end 3 others who also wanted to shorten the walk, joined us. This was our route today, going clockwise.
Here are some of my photos.
Gathered in the car park.
Off we go through the churchyard.
We looked over the wall to admire the garden opposite the church.
We walked through the village and down Scotland Street. past many pretty cottages and gardens.
We passed the Grade II listed
Scotland Place.
We passed through the grounds of
Scotland Hall farm by the lake. But where were the Banded Galloway cattle?
Uphill we went. As we came out of the woods at the top we got a lovely view of Polstead Church...
...and
Stoke Priory. The gardens used to be open once a year to visitors, but I can't find a date for 2026.
We arrived at Polstead village...
...and the community shop.
The
Alder-tree ice creams were very popular, as were the cheese scones Roland had kindly brought along.
We set off past the Cock Inn.
We had some shady paths today, which were most welcome, even though it wasn't as hot as last week.
We saw plenty of filed bind today.
We passed through the wood north-east of Scotland Hall....
...stopping here for a hydration break.
This field looked like it needed a hydration break.
We passed Wintermarsh Green and turned south past Bobwrights Farm. The notable barn here is a familiar sight.
Heading west now along the Stour Valley Path, we had to give way to a tractor here.
At this point, Joyce turned left with the main group, but 5 of us carried on the Stour Valley Path back to Stoke-by-Nayland.
The path was mostly fine, but was a little overgrown with bracken here. I remembered one time going along this path one of the local residents was kindly doing some clearing.
We descended to cross the River Box once more.
Shortly after Valley Farm, I missed a turn. Oops. I had to call the others back here, but we had only done an extra 1/4 mile.
Back at Valley Farm. We only saw one donkey here today.
At the split of the St Edmunds Way and Stour Valley Path we stayed on the latter, crossing this field.
...and we were back at Scotland Street and climbed back to the centre of the village, passing
St. Mary's Church once more.
This time we went along the street back to the car park.
A lovely walk. Thank-you Joyce for leading us round (and accommodating our shortcut) and to everyone else for the additional company.
You can find more details of our 7.6 mile route (without the little deviation where I went wrong)
here on OS Maps (or download a GPX file
here) and more of my photos
here on Flickr.
Other related walks you can find on my blog include
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