Sutton Common - Woodbridge Airbase - Sutton Common

Brian and Anne Sandland

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On this walk you pass through Rendlesham Forest and Hollesley and Sutton Commons and make a circuit of Woodbridge RAF Airbase, which in the 1970s and early 1980s was constantly in use, keeping bombers carrying nuclear weapons in the air 24 hours a day.
You will pass the thinly disguised nuclear silos used to switch the bombs around to foil Russian reconnaissance. Their roofs are grassed over. You will walk the full length of the mighty runways. You will also pass the spot where a UFO witnessed on three days by USAF personnel has caused major interest worldwide (see below).
If I had been foolish enough, 25 years ago, to take photos and make notes in the way I did to prepare this walk I should undoubtedly have been arrested on suspicion of spying.
Throughout the walk however, the interest of Cold War relics is perfectly balanced by the charm and beauty of the countryside through which you pass.

England - East England - Suffolk - Countryside

Features

Birds, Flowers, Great Views, Wildlife
11/3/2020 - Margaret Baldry

There have been so many changes in the time since this walk was first listed, particularly in land management. We attempted to follow the directions today but couldn’t find the exact location of the first path so we made up our route, frequently using the OS Maps app to check our position. It is certainly still a lovely area to walk (or to cycle). The infrastructure of the nuclear missile base is still there and there is a specific trail to where the UFO was believed to have landed - even a model of what the men say they saw! We diverted along this trail and then ran out of time so we didn't complete the route. Definitely worth attempting, the possibilities are endless - and maybe some one with more time than we have will update the instructions and photos for those who need it.

9/14/2013 - Tracy Ann Brooke

Very lovely walk, as others say especially good for dog walking with no styles and very little road interference. Start Car Park is now signed as Sutton Heath Common.

6/22/2013 - Ros Perry

Fantastic for dog walking !

6/22/2013 - Ros Perry

Lovely walk thank-you along well trodden tracks , and very dog friendly. I chose to continue along the opposite side of the road, through heath and woodland before heading back to the car, which avoided the road (can be busy), and added about a mile to the walk.