Beautiful Bury St Edmunds

Route of the Bury St Edmunds walk (Image: Archant)

Winter is a good time to do this town walk because it is mainly done on hard-surface paths, although there are some traditional green paths. The walk goes round the perimeter of the Moreton Hall Estate, also some of the historic parts of Bury St Edmunds including the Abbey Gardens.

Walk between the concrete bollards on a pavement to your left. At the end of the road carry straight on now walking on a path soon having a lake to your right. Just stick to the path as it swings round the lake becoming a Tarmac one soon having Sealeys to your right. At a T-junction of paths turn right. At a crossroad of paths carry on. When you come to a road cross it and carry straight on down another path for a short distance. Cross another road walking on another path with John Banks and a garage to your left.

Cross another road and carry straight on in the same direction on a path. When you come to a sign to your right saying town centre to your left, turn left then a quick right walking on a path through trees. At a footpath sign in front of you turn right onto a Tarmac path and turn left. When you come to a road cross it at the pedestrian crossing and carry straight on down another Tarmac path. When the path swings to the right leave it turning left onto another hard surface path.

At a T-junction of paths turn left, having a children’s playground to your left. Then turn right walking on a concrete lattice path with trees to your left. When the lattice path ceases carry on in the same direction now walking on a green path. The path will then swing to the left. Ignore the immediate left turn and carry straight on through some old gate posts then walking on a Tarmac path with hedges both sides.

At a road turn right. Stick to the road as it swings to the left. When you come to a cycling sign to your left turn right soon crossing a road bridge. Just stick to the path as it enters a wood and at a T-junction of paths turn right and then a quick left walking on another path through a gate into Natterers Wood. When the Tarmac path swings to the left leave it and carry on in the same direction now walking on a grass path downhill. Along this path you will have good views looking over Bury including the cathedral. You will then come out onto a pavement, turn right and when you come to a road junction turn left having a flint wall to your left. Keep to this road until to come to the side gate to the Abbey Gardens on your left, go through this and continue walking on a hard surface path. Stick to the path as it swings to the left and cross a bridge over a river, turn right with the river to your right. At the top of a slight hill do not turn left but continue on the path keeping the river to your right.

When you come to some double metal barriers go through and carry on in the same direction with the river still to your right. When you come out onto a road turn left then under the A14, then cross Symonds Road and carry on in the same direction. After about 30 yards turn left having a green to your left for about 10 yards and then turn right walking on a path through trees.

When you come to a crossroad of paths turn right and cross a road and turn left by Sainsbury’s. Ten yards after passing the supermarket delivery entrance turn right on a path with Sainsbury’s now on the right. When you come to a telegraph pole turn left still walking between trees. This will eventually take you out onto a Tarmac path, cross this now walking on another path with trees both sides. Now just retrace your steps from the beginning of the walk in reverse and back to your starting point.