Wherstead - Orwell - Bourne Park - Wherstead

Joe Jackson

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Orwell Bridge is a major landmark on the south side of Ipswich and this walk takes you right underneath the towering arches. Starting off at Wherstead, the route quickly heads away from the busy roads and follows a trackway as you gently descend to the riverbank. Views of the Orwell Estuary are fantastic. Look to the skies, as peregrine falcons nest on the bridge.

For a short way the route follows a public footpath along the edge of the estuary and at low tides, it attracts many types of wading birds including curlews and oyster-catchers. The route leads around a small harbour and joins a minor road which takes you down and into Bourne Park. This park is quite a delight, as the edge of it is thick with reedbed and a haven for birds and other wildlife. The walk through the nature reserves means you can enjoy sightings of little grebes, water voles, reed-buntings and even grey wagtails and whitethroats.

A bridge takes you back over the A14 and a public footpath gently ascends back to Wherstead and the start of the walk.

England - East England - Suffolk - Estuary Walk

3/10/2018 - Alan and Jackie Bennett

There are facilities en route at Suffolk Food Hall where you could also start and finish the walk if needed. Distance is only 7k and not 9k. ( using GPS and Strava ). Pretty good underfoot considering it had been very wet