Stour and Orwell Walk - Cattawade to Lower Holbrook
21 November 2009
With Stephen's broken toe having eased a good deal, it
was about time for another walk, and with Lucy going to some dog rally
obedience at Holbrook, he set out on the Stour and Orwell Walk, a route
which follows the northern side of the Stour estuary and both sides of
the River Orwell to Felixstowe - and, particularly as all those rivers
are tidal, may thus be said to be the precursor to the Suffolk Coast
Walk that is on the "to do" list.
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-094211.jpg)
The starting point is the picnic site at Cattawade, from where we look
across the flood plain of the River Stour.
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-094522.jpg)
Our way lies in the other direction. Cattawade Creek heads off to pass
under the railway bridge, but our route first lies alongside the
industrial estate at Cattawade
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-101151.jpg)
After passing the industrial estate, the Decoy Pond, the sewage works
and crossing the railway line, we eventually emerge onto the river wall.
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-101420pano.jpg)
The view of the Stour from the river wall
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-103013.jpg)
Approaching Stutton Mill
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-103133.jpg)
Newmill Creek wends its way into the Stour
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-104133.jpg)
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-104605.jpg)
Looking past Stutton Ness to the cranes of Felixstowe
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-104828.jpg)
The beach below Stutton Park
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-105433.jpg)
Looking across Straight Reach to the southern side of the Stour
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-105905.jpg)
For a while we walk along the top of sandy cliffs
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-110725.jpg)
Looking down on Stutton Ness
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-110947.jpg)
We now turn north around Holbrook Bay, across which there is another
distant view of Felixstowe's cranes
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-111045.jpg)
The remains of Graham's Wharf, which marks the point where we turn
inland for a while
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-111822.jpg)
Crowe Hall Farm
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-112410.jpg)
Little Hall
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-113442.jpg)
Houses in Stutton
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-115924.jpg)
The playing fields in front of the grand Royal Hospital School
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-120015.jpg)
Markwell's Farm
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-120224.jpg)
Returning to the river again
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-120409.jpg)
On the right and in the middle distance is the old sea wall - still the
route of the public footpath which a closer inspection will show crosses
the water where the wall was breached. Fortunately the new sea wall
carries a clear path even though it isn't a public right of way.
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-120745.jpg)
George on the new sea wall, with another section of the old wall in the
distance
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-121029.jpg)
Several pictures here of this flock of birds which wheeled about very
impressively...
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-121033.jpg)
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-121039.jpg)
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-121045.jpg)
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-121048.jpg)
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-121057.jpg)
Before suddenly all landing on the mud in unison.
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-121257.jpg)
Boats in Holbrook Creek
![](../../images/2009/2009-11/2009-11-21-122110.jpg)
Looking back up Holbrook Creek. A short walk then took us up the lane
and back to the car park.
Total 11.7 km, (11.4 km on the Stour & Orwell Walk) in 2 hours 49 mins.
![Back to the Stour Valley Path Back to the Stour Valley Path](../london_loop/hikerleft2.jpg)
![Next Stour & Orwell Walk - onwards to Shotley Gate Next Stour & Orwell Walk - onwards to Shotley Gate](../london_loop/hikerright2.jpg)
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