Woowic two

Slow Way not verified yet. Verify Woowic here.

A predominantly rural route from Woodbridge train station to the centre of Wickham Market. This route has a few gates and stiles to navigate, alternatives are given in the review.

Apart from amenities at either end of this route, there is a ship-based cafe at HMS Vale on the Deben (TM283 500); the Wilford Bridge pub just off the route in Melton (TM290 502) and the White Lion pub in Ufford (TM299 520).

We walked from Woodbridge on a wet day.

The initial part of the route follows the riverside walk along the Deben up to Wilford Bridge, this is a popular walk even on a miserable day. After carefully crossing the A1152 in a 60mph zone the route continues on a rough road past the fishing lakes to the railway. After this the road peters out and the path becomes muddy before heading eastwards and climbing slightly to drier ground as it heads towards Decoy Farm.

At the point where the route enters the golf course there is a kissing gate, with another as you leave - see photos. These can be avoided if you walk around the outside of the course on Lower Road, this is a designated Quiet Lane. Once on the golf course the right of way is directly between the two gates which means cutting across the active fairway. There is a sandy path around the edge of the course should you prefer to use this.

The fields to the north of the church in Ufford are prone to flooding (see picture) and an alternative in wet weather is to follow Barrack Lane between Lower Road and Spring Road, there is a pavement most of the way.

Spring Lane is a designated Quiet Lane. The footpath section between TM297 531 and TM 296 532 can get very wet, follow the roadway in this case.

The turning onto the footpath off Spring Lane is signposted, the initial pathway is quite narrow. The footpath itself is quite obvious to begin with but soon fades to an indistinct trod. At the point where the path turns ESE towards Lower Ufford Road there is neither signage nor evidence on the ground to help, we ended up walking around the edge of the field.

Lower Ufford Road is not a designated Quiet Road but cars are not a problem. Flooding is, see pictures.

Once you reach Loudham Hall Road the going gets easier and, apart from a but of mud as you cross The Rosary, is on surfaced roads.

Share your views about this route, give it a star rating, indicate whether it should be verified or not.

Include information that will be useful to others considering to walk or wheel it.

You can add up to 15 photos.