The St Edmund Way

Location: Suffolk; Essex; Norfolk

OS Maps: Explorer 196, 211, 229; Outdoor Leisure

The St. Edmund Way is a route across the county of Sussex which is intended to be the final link in a chain of long distance paths running from London to the north of England. It begins at Flatford on the River Stour and links with the Essex Way at Dedham before running north westwards to the small town of Brandon on the Little Ouse, where it joins the Hereward Way. The total length of the Way, if you include the link to Mannigtree, is about 140km.

The route has been designed to include some of the lovely small towns in the area as well as the more interesting views. There is considerable variety in the environment, both natural and man made, within the area through which the walk proceeds. This is most evident in the moist greenery of the Stour Valley, with its meadows and half timbered buildings, and the contrasting flints and pines of the Sandy Breckland.

The main towns and villages along the route are Stoke by Nayland, Bures St Mary, Sudbury, Lavenham, Stanningfield, Bury St Edmunds, West Stow, Thetford and Brandon. The route is co-incident with the Stour Valley Path to Sudbury and links with the Icknield Way at West Stow.

	Guide Book:
	The St Edmund Way by Jean and John Andrews The guide is beautifully illustrated with sepia sketches by Jean Andrews and has clear navigational instructions and sketch maps. There is some additional background information on places of interest along the way, printed in italics to distinguish it from directions. Click for further information or to purchase]