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Walk 1 : A 'Star Walk' by Michael Anderton
reproduced here with his kind permission
| This 2½ mile walk starts from the Village Hall and is around the whole of the settlement area. It provides an interesting exercise in house spotting, that is to say, trying to identify the original simple house on each plot and the extensions and enlargements that have been added since. |
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From the village hall on Mill Road turn left, taking great care of the traffic around the bends. At a sharp left bend by the red telephone box and bus shelter bear off right on Jackson Road, a private concrete track. Walk through the small holdings on both sides, each house having started life from the same mould, now modified and enlarged to provide the variety for you to discover.
At the end of the concrete track turn right through a small wooden gate at the side of a pair of metal gates. Follow the track up between fence and conifer trees to an open oak lined lane across the fields to Ipswich Road. Cross the road to the path just behind the derestriction sign, walking now between rabbit fence and hedge.
Half way down the second field turn off right, following the path initially between fences and along the edge of Newbourne Springs Nature Reserve. The reserve is now a conservation area but originally The Felixstowe Water Company pumped up to 500,000 gallons of water a day from the springs here to supply the area with mains drinking water. However, this was discontinued because the nitrate levels were above those allowed by the EEC and the area is now managed by the Suffolk Wildlife Trust.
Continue along the path, following the fence on the left, and crossing a stile into a meadow. At the corner of the field by the oak trees turn right up the hill to reach a stile set back in the trees on the left. After crossing the fence continue straight on along the path as it meanders through the trees on what was once an old lane.
On emerging at the gated entrance to the Nature Reserve, pass through a kissing gate and join Fen Lane ahead. The boundary of the Nature Reserve is marked by a second kissing, continue straight on along the lane to emerge out into The Street in the village centre, between the Fox Inn and an old chapel on the corner.
Turn right to the junction with Ipswich Road where a visit can be made to the graves of the giants in the church yard. In the 19th century George Page and his brother Meadows became known as the Newbourne Giants. Standing about 7 feet 7 inches tall, head and shoulders over everyone else, they became an attraction at the Woodbridge Easter Fair when the show's tallest man would hold a guinea above his head and challenge anyone to reach it. They were hired by Samuel Whitings travelling show in 1869 and became known as the Newbourne Giants. George died in 1870 and with Meadows is buried in the churchyard, close to the door of the church.
To complete your walk, continue along Mill Road past the 14th century Newbourne Hall and return to the village hall on the opposite side.
Fact File
Location: Newbourne is 7 miles east of Ipswich and 4 miles south of Woodbridge
Start: Newbourne Village Hall, Ordnance Survey map reference TM 274429
Length: 2½ miles
Conditions: Tracks, well defined paths and road, 2 stiles
How to get there:-
Public Transport: For details telephone Suffolk County Council’s Public Transport Information TraveLine - 0645 583358
Road Route: From Ipswich take the Foxhall Road to the A12 Brightwell Corner roundabout then the Waldringfield Road. Turn off right after ½ mile (signposted Newbourne 2 miles)
Car Parking: Free at the Newbourne Village Hall on Mill Road
Refreshments: The Fox Inn Public House
Public Toilets: None
Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 197 Ipswich, Felixstowe and Harwich
visit Michael Anderton's 'Star Walks' web pages
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