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Honington
By Michael Anderton
Mention the village of Honington and the association with RAF Honington usually comes to mind. But Honington
has much more to offer visitors, the village lies just off the A1088 Thetford Road and, down the narrow streets
around the church, there is a typically quiet Suffolk community. Separated from Sapiston by the River
Blackbourne it was here the pastoral poet Robert Bloomfield (1766 - 1833) lived and worked. His poem 'The
Farmer's Boy' gives a vivid description of rural life in the 18th Century. The descendants of his patron, the Duke of
Grafton, still reside at nearby Euston Hall and own much of the land over which this walk passes.
From All Saints church on Malting Row turn left and walk to the junction with Mill Road. In the pavement you will
find a large metal disc, once used by the local wheelwright to fit metal tyres to cart wheels. Continue down Mill
Road to reach a left bend. Walk along the shingle drive towards Sapiston Mill and across a footbridge over the
River Blackbourne. Cross the drive and follow the footpath to the left of the gate to the mill, following the path as it
skirts the fencing and wall around the mill. Through the trees to the right can be seen Sapiston's redundant
Norman church of St. Andrew, although services are still occasionally held there. Turn left through a kissing gate
by an electricity pole and across a section of meadow to another kissing gate leading out onto Hilly Close.
Turn left past the Old Rectory, after awhile note the extensive rabbit warren in the bank on the right and a seat
where a good view can be had across the shallow valley. Emerge onto the Bardwell Road close to Sapiston
Village Hall, a building that was once used as a chapel by the US Air Force at RAF Honington during the Second
World War. In 1946 the Americans moved it here as a gift to mark their appreciation of the friendship of the local
people.
Turn right to the Sapiston Village sign depicting a hurdle, representing a local craft that modern times have
overtaken. Take the left fork on the Coney Weston Road passing what looks like almshouses on the right
displaying the date MDCCCLXVII (1867). Walk out past the speed derestriction signs and turn left on the well
marked path just before George Cottage. Walk through the first section of meadow to a stile, a small section of
copse and another stile. Continue in the next meadow, keeping generally to the right to reach another stile, now
close to Burnthall Plantation, a large circular group of trees on the left.
The official route of the Public Right of Way continues straight ahead along this section of meadow heading
towards Fakenham Magna church that can be seen ahead, past an oak tree, then to a gate at the Bardwell Road.
From here there is a return leg on a raised path leading back to the other side of plantation. To short cut, walk
around the circular wood where, on the north side, you will find an information board giving details of this English
Heritage site. Burnthall Plantation is a scheduled ancient monument and called Burnt Hall since the 18th century,
legend has it that there was once a mansion within the circular embankment and ditch, there is evidence of a
Victorian Cottage marked on the board. Robert Bloomfield used the story in a poem called 'The Broken Crutch'
My Favourite Pub Walks .com
Dedicated to Pub Walkers across the UK
published in 1806.
Head towards the substantial footbridge to cross the river and, on the far side, cross the stile to take the path to
the left. Follow the path along the fence, passing the tall poles supporting the runway lights of RAF Honington,
eventually turning right into a cultivated field. Turn left along the field edge to the next field, turn left by an unused
stile and over another stile at the corner leading into a meadow. Turn right as indicated by the waymark to reach
the river, then right on a grassy track, around an electricity sub station and along Water Lane to reach Sapiston
Road.
Turn right into Honington village, taking to the roadside footway after about 80 metres. At the carved village sign
depicting a plough and recording the birth of Robert Bloomfield, bear left along Church Road to return to the start
in Malting Row.
If you need refreshment after your walk, the Fox Inn is a few metres along the Troston Road and provides a wide
range of food and drink including tea and coffee. A lively pub, it even has its own website providing village
information. (See Information panel for details).
Information
Location: Honington is 7 miles north east of Bury St. Edmunds, 25 miles from Ipswich
Start: Honington Church, Malting Row Ordnance Survey map reference TL 913745
Length: 3½ miles
Conditions: Tracks, road, meadow, field edge, 6 stiles
How to get there: Public Transport: For details telephone Suffolk County Council's Public Transport Information Service - 0870
6082608
By Road: From Ipswich A14 to Woolpit turn-off, follow A1088 to Ixworth and Thetford, at Honington, turn right into
Malting Row
Car Parking: On street at Malting Row (Honington Church/PO), otherwise at Sapiston village hall (when not in
use) for alternative start point
Refreshments: Post Office Stores, Fox Inn
Public Toilets: None locally
Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 229 Thetford Forest in the Brecks