Meandering along Blaxhall’s pleasant paths and bridleways

Route of the Blaxhall walk (Image: Archant)

The days are getting very short now as Christmas approaches so I thought that a half-day ramble might be nice. Blaxhall is a village near but not in Rendlesham Forest and has a separate section almost hidden from the other part. Blaxhall Church nestles among oak trees as pleasant paths and bridleways take the walk past the Blaxhall Stone, a huge boulder which is a “glacial erratic” left behind 10,000 years ago when glaciers retreated from Britain.

Start by walking along the road to Tunstall past the Ship Inn (on your left). In 100 yards take the footpath on the right across a field (clearly marked on my visit) and at the other side cross straight over the road and through the recreation ground. Turn sharp left, passing “The Forge” then, 80 yards further, take the path on the right, now following the field edge. Reach a line of pine trees and go left, the path now has the trees on the right; keep ahead as you reach two pylons and descend straight on through a wood. At the lane turn left and continue through the hamlet called Stone Common until a triangle of tracks is reached. The route goes right on a bridleway, slightly uphill. Pretty Blaxhall Church is just ahead off route and nestled among oak trees.

Your route goes a little uphill. When two junctions are reached before the grid lines bear left both times. Now walk for 600 yards along the track towards Blaxhall Hall Farm and just before that farm, turn left.

Keep straight for over half a mile and reach Stone Farm. Turn left then right opposite the “Blaxhall Stone” notice. The junction sign was incorrectly placed but the way is clearly marked with small signs after passing between the farm buildings. Take a look at the huge glacial erratic found here after lying hidden for 10,000 years; the landowner has kindly cut a hole in the fence for visitors to look through.

The walk continues as a track between oak trees then diagonally left across a field (yellow waymark). Turn left on another track. Keep straight on past “Ivy Cottages” then turn left when a lane is reached. A flock of long-tailed tits came off the hedge as I walked for six minutes then turned right into woodland. This path veers left in 15 yards then goes straight on to white-topped posts. Some big deer - and a few small ones - had marked out the path out with their footprints towards the distant trees where I turned left along the road for five minutes to the Ship Inn.

Route devised by Pauline Nettleingham and walked by Richard Tyson of the Alde Valley Group of Ramblers on November 15, 2015. Use ramblers’ website to join or view led walks open to all.