The Great British Walking Festival

The seasons are changing and soon the landscape will be transformed into a tapestry of Autumnal colours. To make the most of this beautiful time of year, grab your walking boots and discover Suffolk's countryside. Choose from the Suffolk Coastal Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), the landscape surrounding Constable Country or the countryside surrounding the heritage wool towns.  To help you plan your adventures, why not participate in The National Trust's Great British Walking Festival. Running throughout September and October, the festival programme includes heathland warden walks, heritage walks, fungi forages, a river walk or a medicinal plant walk.    If you wish to combine your walks with a break in Suffolk, there are many holiday cottages available throughout the countryside and coastal regions.  Why not stay in Dunwich or Westleton, close to the RSPB reserve at Minsmere and National Trust managed Dunwich Heath.  Or perhaps you prefer to stay in the market town of Woodbridge, which is situated just across the river from the Anglo Saxon burial site of Sutton Hoo.  Further inland, Lavenham is a beautiful medieval town, set in the midst of the heritage Wool Towns district.

To get you started, here is a selection of our favourite walks from the National Trust's Great British Walking Festival:-  Wednesday 5 September, 10am - 12pm  Dunwich Heath: A Walk with the Warden.  Enjoy a two hour guided walk with the warden exploring the fascinating wildlife of Dunwich Heath.  Cost: £5. Booking essential on 01728 648501.  

Tuesday 18 September, 10:30am - 12pm Sutton Hoo Health Walk.  Discover this fascinating and beautiful Anglo Saxon burial site, guided by volunteers from Live Well Suffolk.  For further information phone: 01394 389714.

Tuesday 18 September, 10.30am - 1pm  Discover Medieval Lavenham
 A guided walk around the historic centre of this unique medieval village. Meet at the Guildhall where the Manager will give a short talk about the building before you set off to discover the hidden gems of Lavenham. Your guide will take you to the Church of St Peter & Paul, one of the finest parish churches in England.
 Cost: £13. Booking Essential 01787 247646.

22 September, 17 & 20 October, 3 & 24 November, 26 December, times vary. Flatford: Walking in the footsteps of Constable. Discover the area made famous by artist John Constable, on a fascinating guided walk through the landscape that inspired him.
 Cost: £6. Booking essential on 0844 2491895    

Sunday 7 October, 11am - Sutton Hoo: A Walk on the Wildside. Join natural health expert Julie Foster as she introduces you to simple botanical identification of useful edible and medicinal plants on a walk around Sutton Hoo. Cost: £8. Booking essential on 01394 389714.  

Sunday 7th October, 10.30am; 2pm, 10:30am - 12:30pm.  Fungi Foray at Dunwich Heath.  Guided by an expert, join in the search for fungi around the heath and grasslands. There will be fungi specials in the tearoom too.
 Cost: £8.50. Booking essential on 01728 648501.    

Saturday 27 October - Saturday 3 November, 10.30am – 5pm. Sutton Hoo Autumn Adventure Trail. Have fun exploring the estate with a new autumnal trail for all the family! For more information phone: 01394 389714.  

Saturday 27 October - Sunday 4 November, 10am – 4pm. Dunwich Heath Geocaching Trails. Enjoy a high tech treasure hunt with us. Inside the caches you can find information about Dunwich, its management and history. Come and have a try! Bring your own GPS. Booking Advisable 01728 648501.    

Saturday 3 November, 6:30pm - 8pm. Lavenham by Lantern Light. See the medieval village of Lavenham in a whole new light on our lantern walk as we delve into its history. The evening ends with hot chocolate and cake. Cost: £7.50 adults, £3.50 child. Booking essential on 01787 247646.    Please note, normal National Trust admission prices are normally applicable. Visit website for further details.