2015-11-06 Wangford and Uggeshall 4.2

Waveney Ramblers led this walk.

This walk had paths, not reinstated and two broken stiles requiring above average agility. Wangford Road carries significant traffic so take extra care and avoid it if there is an event at Henham Hall like the Steam Rally or Latitude Festival.

Park and meet near the church of St. Peter and St. Paul in Wangford. This is close to the pub. There is more parking in Blacksmith Close and in a lay-by on the north bound A12.

From the church head NE along the High Street. Cross Norfolk Road and head NE along Blacksmith Close. Avoid Elms Lane. Converge with the A12 and use the roadside footpath, NE, along this busy road. Cross over close to the lay-by on the north-bound side. Half way along the lay-by, take the track left, NW, hedge left along the field perimeter track. The perimeter path kinks left and right about 2/3rds of the way along this leg. In the second field, the path had not been reinstated so if necessary, follow tractor tracks. The right of way on the OS maps starts hedge left, then hedge right and finally hedge left again. As neither side had been reinstated, follow the path of least resistance all the way to Wash Lane.

At Wash Lane, turn left, SW, and follow the perimeter, hedge right. There may be a sunken path here or perhaps it's a stream bed. It the path is clear, follow it. Otherwise, stick to the field perimeters. At the first hedge gap, continue SW along the sunken path. If this is overgrown, kink right and left to follow the field perimeter, hedge left. Wash lane comes out onto Wangford Road. Turn right and head roughly west.

After 550 metes, there is a track, left, south. Take this for the 3.2 mile shorter walk or continue NW for the longer routes. At the thatched church, there is a lane left, SW, to Westhall and Halesworth. Take this for the 3.7 mile route or continue NW for the longer route. At the T-junction take the main route left towards Stoven and Beccles. After only 35 metres, turn left, SW, and follow the field perimeter, hedge right. Use tractor tracks if the path has not been reinstated.

The path bends left, south, towards woodland, fence both sides. Head under the power lines and, at the tarmac, turn left, east. Soon the route splits three ways and the middle distance walk re-joins. Take the most southerly branch, SE, into the woodland. Drop down and cross a footbridge into a low lying meadow. Continue east. Climb a bank and head east, hedge left. Next head east over an open field. At the end of the field, the shortest route rejoins. Head right, south for a few paces, then left, east, hedge left. If the path has not been reinstated, use tractor tracks. At the NE field corner, close to a bungalow, there is a collapsed stile and broken metal gate, also choked with nettles. Fight your way through.

In the next meadow, there is no hint where the correct path is. Head east, uphill, passing tall poplar trees to your right. Merge with the hedge near a mature oak tree. Here there is a barrier that might once have been a stile or gate. There was a footpath sign lying on the ground. Fight your way through this barrier, possibly also electrified but not on this day. Head SW, trees right. This path soon bends left, SE, and continues hedge right. At a pumping station, bend right, south, hedge right. Follow the field perimeter, woodland right. Close to the A12, the path bends left, NE. Soon there is a gate down to the A12.

Cross the A12 via the gap in the crash barrier. On the Wangford side, head SE along the alley back towards the church and pub. Cross a drive to a house and follow the remaining alleyway, still SE. At the High Street, turn right, SW, to return to the church and Angel Inn.