PUBLIC FOOTPATHS AROUND CHEVINGTON

See map below. (if you wish to print this out please go to the gallery) Chevington Parish Council owns all the rights to this map.

 When walking along a footpath, please be sensible in your choice of shoe and clothing. In some seasons it may be wet and muddy and in others there be seasonal vegetation growth restricitng width of path to walk on. ALWAYS BE MINDFUL TO WIDLIFE

There are eight Parish footpaths around the village. One is designated a bridleway and two are by-ways.

They provide a range of walks linking with footpaths to our neighbours in Hargrave, Chedburgh and Depden.

Access into the rear of Ickworth Park offers much longer and very enjoyable strolls in the woods and open grounds of this National Trust Property. (Obviously non-membership may be challenged by staff.)

 

Footpath 1. 

This track runs from Chevington Church towards Ickworth Park.  It’s origins date from a ‘Pilgrim Way’, before Ickworth park and house were built, leading on to the ancient Abbey of Bury St Edmunds. The trail is illustrated on our Chevington Village sign.

Vehicle access to cottages near the boundary gate and in the park beyond, has recently (2016) been discouraged by several road signs. Large vehicles following sat-navs have caused problems attempting to make deliveries, for which there is no access. The condition of the surface is good for only the first 150 yards, after which the track gradually becomes more rutted, narrow and very muddy in winter. No bikes or vehicles.

Delightful walks but please be aware of nesting birds and insects and keep your dogs on a lead AT ALL TIMES.

 

Footpath 2.

This path runs from the shady rear of the churchyard over a style, right, across a small meadow, over a second (new) style and then around a private paddock to New Road at Brick Cottage.  (It is also possible to pass through the paddock. Please respect the signs.) This recent change from the old path, is in good condition, signposted off New Road.

 

Footpath 3 (starts as Hargrave 13)

Hargrave Road to New Road. This footpath leaves the Hargrave Rd* on the west side of the stream and continues beside it north to a sturdy wooden footbridge. Then turning right, it climbs up the hill with good views back over the valley. (Other paths lead left uphill to Hargrave (Har.16) or straight ahead over  small bridge to Stonehall Farm and The Wash.)  At the top of the hill, the route turns left and passes to the opposite side of the hedge. It runs down to a small footbridge and returns through the hedge. (Here it links left, to a further route through private property at Birds End.)  Now No.3, it strikes right across two fields and follows the old boundary beside a couple of very old oak trees towards Chevington Lodge Farm,  branching off to the right and across a further large arable field to New Road.  Depending on the time of year, this can be a very pleasant walk through ripening wheat, or in winter, so difficult in deep clay plough, that it is impossible to walk this distance without building up heavy mud on your walking boots. Oil seed rape or maize crops can also make this walk tricky to negotiate.

*Hargrave 13-14 continues from the south side of Hargrave Rd along the stream, turning left to link up with Footpath 7. or signposted on to Depden.

Waymarking: mostly OK.

 

Footpath 4.

This track leadsfrom beyond Old Post Office Road to the rear entrance (Route 1.)  into Ickworth Park opposite the lake. Turn left off Queens Hill opposite Fieldside Cottage.

The views are excellent out over Ickworth park towards the Monument. In 2017 the route was made up to (farm) vehicle standard with (lumpy) hardcore and a metal bar gate erected (which may be passed around on foot.)

Signpost is currently awaiting repair. (June 2018) No stiles or bridges.

 

Footpath 5

A short footpath from the top of Church Road to Old Post Office Road. This is well used by dog walkers. (Doggie waste bin provided) The condition doesn’t change much, usually good, alongside mowing grass.

 

The footpath continues across the road, to the rear of The Grove and on to Stonehouse Farm at the end of Tan Office Lane.

From Old Post Office Road, follow the signpost over the wooden bridge, a good sturdy stile, and along the side of the paddock# to a (much-chewed!) wooden gate. Two further gates lead on beside a narrow copse and a fourth gate and small wooden bridge at the rear of the old farm. Here this route meets the Bridleway from Queens Lane (No.6.) and the signposted route, Footpath No.8 into Chedburgh.

It is a pleasure and a privilege to walk this route through private property.

Generally well kept but sometimes muddy in winter. Signposts and waymarks are good.

#There is a diagonal branch off this meadow path through two gates and a second paddock, leading to a stile to the side of the village hall (S.P).  Horses may need to be negotiated.

 

Footpath 6.

This is a designated Bridleway which joins Queens Lane to the end of Tan Office Lane at Stonehouse Farm. Signposted. The route is bordered by a hedge planted with interesting shrubs and trees interspersed with dog roses. It is a pleasure to walk – or ride!

 

Footpath No 7.

Hargrave Road to Depden Lane. At the edge of Chevington village, on the left hand side of Hargrave Rd, opposite Grange Mill,  a narrow footpath (signposted) leads from a small footbridge with no handrail, a short route around the rear of the village.  It passes beside the front elevation of Broad Green Farm. Land to the right of this path has recently changed hands and the condition of the footpath has been improved. The footpath turns right across open arable land, left and into a copse. It turns left again along the side of the copse to join Tan Office Lane and Depden Lane in the village.

(Turning downhill in the copse to the stream (HAR 14) opens up further Hargrave footpaths (HAR 10,12,16 and 23.) A right turn north, leads back to the Hargrave Rd.  HAR 13 and Footpath 3.

 

BEYOND Footpath 7 above:  The path turns left and then right to a small copse and through to the rear of Garrods End Farm. (There is a footpath leading from here, through an old playing field to join the Hargrave/Wickhambrook Road via Little Knowles Green.)

From the barn, a track designated a By-way leads left, past a woodman’s patch to the junction of Depden Lane where a green lane leads at right-angles (signposted) to Depden. (This grassy route becomes very wet in winter when it is unfit for most vehicles.)

The main village route returns to Chedburgh Road up Depden Lane with convenient viewing seat!

Some marks are lacking for part of this walk. It’s much a case of following in the doggie-walkers tracks.

 

Footpath 8

This is a continuation of Footpath No. 5. It leads from Stonehouse Farm through the old WW2 airfield to Chedburgh and left to join Queens Lane:

It is generally well kept and paths mowed by volunteers from Chedburgh. Some water stands after heavy rain near the farm but pathways have been improved with wood chippings.

An interesting route: Watch out for foxes, badgers, rabbits and muntjacks. Also, discover very good insect life and blackberries!

The footpath then leads through a small housing development and across a well maintained field route to Queens Lane.

One small bridge, a stile over a shallow ditch and one gate, all in good order. Good way-marking and signposts.

 

Please respect the countryside and take all litter home.