Dedham Vale & Flatford Mill Directions continued

Continuing the walk from the previous page ...

If you wish to use the optional return route via Stratford St. Mary and East Bergholt, please click on the following button (a map of this route is included):

Otherwise, walk west along the High Street until reaching a signed track going off right at the end of the houses - take this, through an old farmyard (Bridges Farm - National Trust) and alongside the right-hand boundary of some fields, before turning right through the hedge at a way-mark sign, after which you follow the left-hand field boundary to a gate. Go straight across fields managed by the National Trust (Dalethorpe) on a well defined path. The path eventually runs alongside the River Stour and then reaches a narrow road after passing through a wooded section. Here, turn left along the road for a short distance before turning sharp right onto a road that crosses the A12. At the next road junction after crossing the road bridge, turn right down a road (heading due north), passing a hotel and restaurant (Le Talbooth) to the left. Carry on this road until reaching a footpath signed off right, just before a Suffolk County sign - take this, joining the Stour Valley Path and St Edmund's Way, through a tunnel under the A12. Go straight ahead through a gate - then follow a footpath that follows the River Stour for some distance. Near Dedham Mill, if you fancy a drink and/or a meal, take a signed path right, up some steps and cross two bridges (one across a canal and one across a mill race) and follow it alongside the mill pond to the main road - turn right into the village along Mill Lane to the Marlborough Head Hotel which lies off to the left as you enter the village (telephone: 01206 323250 - see also previous page). After visiting the pub, turn back north up the road and cross the road bridge over the River Stour, turning right onto a footpath that follows the north bank of the Stour. If you do not fancy a visit to the pub, keep straight along the river path to the road, then cross the road and continue along the river path.

Keep along the river bank until a path that cuts diagonally away to the left in an easterly direction beside a way-mark post on your right-hand side - take this path across the meadows, heading towards a gate beside a National Trust sign. This leads onto a footpath which has trees on either side - follow this until you reach some woods and a junction with another path by a way-mark. Here turn right down a track for a short distance, before bearing off left and crossing a wooden bridge. Follow the footpath that parallels the south bank of the River Roach all the way to a a set of gates and a wooden bridge over the river (optionally, take a well define path that crosses the fields, cutting off several bends in the river). Go through the gates. If you want to visit Flatford Mill and Bridge Cottage (National Trust), cross the bridge and then turn right along the road - visit the websites: and

Then, to rejoin the walk, retrace your steps, crossing the bridge. Otherwise, turn right after going through the gates and keep on the south bank of the river - the path provides good views of Mill Cottage, the Granary Barn and Flatford Mill. Follow the river until it bends round sharply to the left - here keep straight on the path and cross a bridge by a set of flood defences to your left. Follow the path that goes sharply round to the left (ignoring one that heads off diagonally to the right), with marshes to your left [Note that the next stretch of the walk can get muddy]. In a little while, the path rejoins the river. Where you reach a footpath turning off right, just after passing through a gate, take this (signed to Manningtree Station). You soon enter a track with tall hedges on either side - follow this round a sharp bend to the right and continue on it until you go under a brick railway bridge- here turn sharp left and take a track that runs parallel to the railway track embankment to your left. This leads you back to Manningtree Station and the end of the walk. If you fancy another drink, the Station Buffet on the London-bound platform serves real ale and snacks; alternatively, walk into Manningtree town where there are a number of pubs.