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The W.I. Walking Group do 3-5 miles every Wednesday morning at 10am starting from the MSC car park

You may also find the following link of interest : www.walkinginsuffolk.co.uk

Walk Ten
Local Walk - Dalham

This is one of the most attractive local walks within easy reach of Wickhambrook (15 minutes by car) and samples the woods, hills and cottages of Dalham Hall estate. There are several opportunities for refreshments on the 4.5 mile circuit providing you plan your arrival time.

Cars can be parked on the grass in front of the village church. For those unfamiliar with the area this may not be too easy to find.  Go into Dalham from Wickhambrook or Lidgate but instead of following the road in the village centre to the left and across the bridge continue ahead until you reach the conical shaped malt kiln at Maltings Farm. Turn right here and take the minor road up the hill (signposted 'Church').

Having parked the car, already there are good views down to the village and beyond, head back along the road but do not disappear back into the trees; go straight up the hill with open fields on your left. At the first footpath crossroads turn left. This is part of the circular walk and is waymarked throughout. Just remember that eventually you have to turn off. After an enclosed section the path veers left along the edge of a field then left back into the woods. There is a short stretch where a narrow field drops away to the left then back into the woods again. After left, right and left waymarks (ignore the footpath going off to the right) you skirt the bottom of another narrow field and continue along the path to reach the open. Turn left, cross a wooden bridge and continue with the hedge on your left. Gazeley church soon comes into view and the A14 (!) can be seen in the distance to the east. Go into the next field, ignoring another path to the right, and make use of a strip between arable fields. At the hedge go through a kissing gate and continue following the path and the Icknield Way signs.  This brings you into the village centre. The 'Chequers' is a convenient stop, opening lunchtimes and evenings for snacks (Wednesday to Saturday; roasts only on Sunday). Head along the street towards Dalham. At the end of the pavement you will meet a fork in the road. Take the right option and go downhill for a short section of road walking (not a busy road). Ignore one field entrance on the right but go up the second (on a gradual right hand bend but somewhat overgrown) to find an indistinct (at the start) path which meanders through the narrow piece of woodland gradually becoming more obvious. This is a more pleasant alternative to road walking. Not to worry if you miss it; there is another more obvious entrance further down the hill. At the bottom you reach a track and should return to the road. Turn right and walk 150 paces before finding a footpath sign on the left (Icknield Way, again). Take this path and accompany the river, mostly hidden this time of year, gently uphill. After crossing a narrow pedestrian bridge you join Dalham 'high street'. The Affleck Arms is on the right. This public house has undergone significant improvements over the past few months and is open lunchtimes and evenings for refreshments (wise to check on Mondays). A walk along the main street gives an opportunity to appreciate the pretty thatched cottages and buildings. Return to the end of the pedestrian bridge and continue along the road. Walk past the malt kiln to find a hidden kissing gate on the right. Go through and follow the avenue of mature chestnuts uphill back to the church.

Dalham Hall, behind the church was once the home of Cecil Rhodes.

Dalham church was built in the 14th Century on the site of a Saxon church mentioned in the Domesday Book (1087) 'One church with 40 acres of land and half a plough team, value five shillings…' The forty acres remain the property of the church to this day and can be seen when looking across the valley from the church door.

The tower used to be taller but the top, including a wooden steeple, was blown down in the great storm of 3rd September 1658, the night that Oliver Cromwell died, and was never replaced. The church is open and well worth a visit.

Last walked on 14 June 2007

Roger Medley 01440 821861

'Skirt the grounds of Denston Hall'

Please be aware that the waymarked path across the grounds of Denston Hall, the bit that reads 'Go through the metal gate and continue in the same direction……and then to the right hand side of the fenced lake with accompanying vegetation', is currently subject to a diversion application.  If successful the route will veer more to the right and then double back to the lake. The reason for this is unclear.

Further updates will be published as they become available.