Charles and Joy Boldero head south for a six-mile walk round the pretty village of Debenham.

Charles and Joy Boldero head south for a six-mile walk round the pretty village of Debenham.

This was a very enjoyable six-mile walk, the paths were in good order and well signed and there we no stiles on route. It starts from the attractive village of Debenham which is situated on the B1077 nine miles south after turning off the A140 two miles south of Scole.

Those in wheel chairs could go along the first part of the walk to Hoggs Wood and to Hoppit Wood and Lake and return. There is parking along the main street and, at the other end, a small parking area. We parked opposite the United Reformed church. Drive into Chancery Lane keeping right to the parking bay.

The walk starts opposite Clio's Coffee Shop, with the brick river bridge and bus stop opposite. We went along Watery Lane with the dried up river bed on the left by a flood marker sign, later passing the other flood marker sign on the right.

We kept left at the fork, then left at the bridleway sign with allotments on the left and Hoggs Kiss Wood entrance on the right. At the top of the hill we turned right (left to visit Hoppit Wood & Lake) along the grassy path. We continued through the hedge gap, turning left along the field edge, keeping the tree/hedge on the left.

We turned left along the country lane, then right at the Bridleway and Linen Post Barn sign and walked along the track, which became a tree-lined one. At the bridleway signs we went left along another hedged track ignoring all paths off. At the four-way finger post signs we turned left along another track, Waddle Goose Lane, probably because it was a drover's 'road' in days gone by where geese were driven to market.

We ignored all paths off until we came to a T junction by a thatched cottage. Here we turned right, then, after about 30 paces by marker signs, right up the track. We ignored paths to the left and kept along this long path to the country lane where we turned right for about 50 yards. At the finger post sign we turned left over the wide plank bridge and continued along the path. It went along two field edges and at a finger post sign part way down the second one we turned right over the earth bridge, then immediately left along the field edge.

We crossed the plank bridge and turned left along a wide field edge path ignoring paths off. Where the wooden fencing ended and by the hedge line on the right we turned right keeping the hedge on the right. We turned right along the track with barns on the right, turning left at a sign along 'driveway'. At a bend we went right at the sign around the field edge following the signs, finally going through the hedge gap and downhill to the road. We turned right along the country lane, then left going over the bridge. Just before the road junction, we turned right and walked through the churchyard. We turned right along the main street with the Angle Inn on the right. We crossed the road, turned left then right along Chancery Lane back to the car.

t PLACES OF INTEREST:

1. The streams that have flowed in Watery Lane join the River Deben. Here in a building beside the bridge many years ago, weavers practised their craft which included baskets, mats and carpets.

2. Hoggs Kiss Wood was bought by the Woodland Trust in 1998 and covers 7.8 acres. There are many wild flowers, English trees and birds to be found here. At the top of the track is the notice board to Hoppit Wood & Lake, which covers 11 acres. This was acquired in 2004 for the community. The wood was planted in association with the Green Light Trust and is an ongoing project involving the Sir Robert Hitcham primary school. A hoppit is the name of a small meadow by a house.

3. Crow's Hall is a moated house, first built in 1508, it incorporates 14th century parts, I think only the gatehouse and the major part survive.

4. St Mary's church dates back to Saxon times and has a fine hammer-beamed roof with crested tie beams on arched bases. The font is 15th century and has an 18th century cover over it. A lovely church to spend a few moments in.

5. This is a lovely village to stroll around, with its fine 14th and 17th century houses and was free of litter. Centuries ago East Anglian kings were said to hold court here. Blood Field is named after a great battle against the Danes. Early Roman and early English coins were found after excavations on Priory Field.

In 1820 a farm labourer noticed an exceptionally large ear of barley sticking to his shoe. He planted the seed in his garden. The following year he showed the plants to his landlord, Dr. Chevallier. The strains from this plant were taken to Canada by emigrants and until recently it was still yielding a good crop. Many years ago a resident from the village set up a chain of stores which he named 'Debenhams'.

The Angel Inn is a popular place to dine, and it is open seven days a week. Charles had a pint of Youngs best bitter.

t MAP REFERENCES:

O.S. Landranger 156, Explorer 211:

174634, 176634, 182638, 185639, 188637, 196643, 211640, 206634, 205634, 196631, 194625, 191628, 186629, 182629, 177630, 174631, 174634.