Manningtree - St Edmund Way - Dedham - River Stour - Stratford St Mary - East Bergholt - Stour Valley Path - Brantham - Manningtree
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This fairly long beautiful circular route is a real treat. You pass through two villages along the way and you have a choice to visit the town of Manningtree at the end with it's pubs and shops. The walk starts in Essex and passes through Suffolk before returning through Essex.
In the delightful village of Dedham there are plenty of places to visit, including an art centre, tea rooms and a few pubs. The route follows lengthy sections of the River Stour with plenty of places to sit by the river for a bite to eat.
After passing through East Bergholt you arrive at the small Hamlet of Flatford which is most famous for Flatford Mill, Willy Lott's Cottage and Bridge Cottage, immortalised in the paintings of John Constable. Here you can visit the cafe and Flatford Shop and sit beside the River Stour enjoying a well earned rest before making your way back to Manningtree.
There are a few roads on this route but they all have roadside paths so traffic wont be a problem. All the paths were clear signposted (May 2023) with just a boggy section along the Stour Valley Path towards the end.
There are plenty of places for refreshments on this walk:
(Waymark 9) The Marlborough Head Inn and tea rooms.
(Waymark 14) The Anchor pub and a cafe.(Waymark 19) The red Lion pub.
(Waymark 24) A cafe and a tea room.(Waymark 34) The Skinners Arms pub.
England - East England - Essex - Countryside
Features
Birds, Butterflies, Cafe, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Good for Kids, Great Views, Lake/Loch, Mostly Flat, Pub, Public Transport, Restaurant, River, Tea Shop, Toilets, Wildlife, Woodland