Around Woodbridge Walk
The Suffolk town of Woodbridge has some lovely trails to try along the River Deben. You can follow the river north or south with two National Trust properties to visit. Heading north will take you towards Melton where you can cross the river to visit Sutton Hoo. This circular walk heads south along a section of the Fynn Valley Walk to take you to Kyson Hill and Kyson Point on the western side of the river.
It's a really lovely stretch of the Deben with lots of little boats and nice views of the surrounding countryside.
You can start the walk from the train station which is located right next to the quay. From here you can pick up the Fynn Valley Walk next to the Woodbridge Tide Mill. The Grade I listed building is very well preserved and has a water wheel which still turns and is capable of grinding a wholemeal flour. A mill has operated on the site for 800 years and is now open to the public for tours.
Follow the river south and you will soon come to Kyson Hill. The National Trust owned area includes a grassy hill, surrounded by wooded belts, sloping down to the saltings and mudflats of the tidal Deben. It's a great area for bird watching with many species visiting the estuary. Look out for egrets, oyster catchers, plovers, teals, little grebes, redshanks, black tailed godwits, and curlews as you make your way along the river.
After admiring the estuary views from the little hill, the walk continues to Kyson Point where there are fine views of Martlesham Creek.
The route then follows other paths back to the town through the countryside.
To extend your waterside walking try our longer River Deben Walk which takes you all the way to Felixstowe.
You could also head west through the countryside along the Fynn Valley Walk to Playford.
Just to the east of the town you will find Rendlesham Forest. The mysterious forest includes the UFO trail which takes you to some of the areas connected to the UFO sighting in December 1980. Near here is the fascinating Sutton Hoo ancient burial ground. The National Trust owned estate has some nice trails through woodland and along the river.
The long distance Sandlings Walk also passes through the town and will take you on a tour of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Woodbridge Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Woodbridge Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Woodbridge OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Woodbridge Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Walks near Woodbridge
- Sutton Hoo - Explore the 255 acre estate of this Anglo-Saxon burial site and enjoy lovely views of the River Deben
- Fynn Valley Walk - This footpath runs along the River Fynn from Witnesham to Woodbridge
- River Deben - Enjoy a waterside walk along the River Deben from Woodbridge to Felixstowe Ferry
- East Suffolk Line Walks - Follow the 'East Suffolk Line' railway from Ipswich to Lowestoft on this splendid walk through the Suffolk countryside
- Rendlesham Forest - Rendlesham Forest is probably most famous for reported UFO sightings in 1980 but it is also a great place for cycling and walking
- Waldringfield - This pretty little village is located in a lovely spot next to the River Deben in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
- Martlesham Creek -
- Sandlings Walk - A walk through the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty from Southwold to Ipswich via Woodbridge
- Helmingham Hall - This walk visits the beautiful estate surrounding the 16th century Helmingham Hall in Suffolk.
- Ramsholt - This walk visits the lovely riverside village of Ramsholt in Suffolk.
Pubs/Cafes
Near Martlesham Creek you could stop off at The Red Lion. It's a pub of some note, dating from the 16th century when it was a coaching inn on the old London to Yarmouth turnpike road. Now a Grade II listed country pub it has retained many of its 16th century features, including exposed wooden beams and open fireplace. It's well known in the area for its distinctive Red Lion figurehead which sits on the exterior of the pub. The historic piece was captured in 1672 from a Dutch ship at the Battle of Sole Bay. They have a good menu and can be found at postcode IP12 4RN for your sat navs.
Dog Walking
The river trails and the woodland paths around Kyson point make for a fine dog walk. The Red Lion mentioned above is also dog friendly.
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
The Waldringfield Walk will take you south to Martlesham before visiting the pretty little village of Waldringfield. The village is located next to the river and includes a 14th century church and a very fine quayside pub.
Just to the north west you could visit the pretty village of Helmingham and explore the 16th century Helmingham Hall Estate. There's some lovely footpaths here taking you to herbaceous borders, tree lined avenues and beautiful gardens.
The Ramsholt Walk can be picked up just to the south at Methersgate Quay. This will take you along the eastern side of the river Deben to the delightful village of Ramsholt. There's a pretty quay, a beach and a splendid riverside pub to visit in this remote, unspoilt spot.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Suffolk Walks page.
Photos
Low tide on the River Deben
Woodbridge Tide Mill on River Deben. The Tide Mill seen on the right was built in about 1796 where a medieval mill once stood. The mill as one might expect was used to grind corn in flour but was finally used to produce animal feed. When it ground to a halt in 1956 and was the last working tide-mill. To the left you will see the granary where the wheat was stored. The tide mill was restored and opened to the public in 1972. The pond in which tide water was trapped to run the mill became the Yacht Harbour a small pond still exists for demonstration of the mill.
Low lying fields by the Deben
Access to the River Deben
River Deben near Woodbridge
Once someone's pride and joy
Kingston Marshes
Kyson Hill overlooking the Deben