Trails & Inspiration

Inspirational Trails 26: The Stour Valley Path

In part 26 of our Inspirational Trails series, Tom Fairbrother describes running on The Stour Valley Path in Suffolk.

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The Stour Valley Path is a 62-mile trail running from Newmarket, Suffolk, the home of horse racing in the UK, to Cattawade and the River Stour estuary on the Suffolk/Essex border.

The path runs through what has been dubbed Constable Country, named after the world-renowned painter John Constable, who was born in the area and used the landscapes for many of his masterpieces. The area is also designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, such is the majestic nature of the scenery all around you!

The Stour Valley Path, also known as SVP, is a beautiful trail navigating rolling countryside, with the river at its heart. Expect glorious scenery, chocolate box cottages, sleepy villages, all set against the tranquil sounds of the river trickling by and mother nature.

The route is fully waymarked, but sparse when it comes to supplies, shops, and amenities. It will often feel like you are literally in the middle of nowhere – because you are! You can usually refill your water bottles at the churches along the way.

The Stour Valley Path is a popular walk for art lovers looking to follow in Constable’s footsteps. It is also becoming a trail running hotspot in the East, staging a marathon, a 50km and a 100km race each year! The marathon is a figure of eight course encompassing most of the valley, while the ultras are point to point starting in Newmarket (100km) and Sudbury (50km), both finishing in Cattawade.

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Most people will navigate the trail following the river downstream, starting the path in Newmarket and finishing in Cattawade. Both towns have good transport links, with Cattawade being just a short walk from Manningtree station which has regular trains direct to London Liverpool Street.

Running or hiking in this direction also means you are gradually making your way downhill to sea level, which is also a bonus! As the name suggests, expect some big climbs as you make your way through the valley, particularly in the first half, and the route has 3,186 feet of total ascent.

From Newmarket, the route starts with the fearsomely named Devil’s Dyke, a raised structure and path built in the 6th century to guard East Anglia. From there it won’t be long until you reach the highest point of the whole route, Basefield Wood, situated at 387 feet. It’s certainly not Mont Blanc, but it’s enough to keep you honest!

The early part of the trail features ancient woodlands, several magnificent churches, wildflowers and plenty of farmland, meadows, and wildlife, along with glimpses of the river that is synonymous with this trail, all of which will make you feel well and truly in the countryside.

Around the halfway point you enter the idyllic village of Clare. Famous for its ancient history, from its 13th century Priory to the 14th century Clare Castle, Clare is also home to a parkrun every Saturday morning!

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The Stour Valley Path follows a similar pattern of interesting rural trails through fields and along the river, interspersed with beautiful villages like Long Melford and Cavendish, and the odd sharp climb to keep things interesting!

The second half of the trail is split into two distinct acts, the first being several lumpy sections and lung-busting hills though the villages of Bures, Little Horkesley and Nayland. But, your reward for making it this far is a nice run down the valley to some pancake-flat final few miles along the River Stour from Dedham.

And such is the beauty of this route, even the few hills there are offer great views, so while you are huffing and puffing your way along at least you’ll have plenty to look at.

It is no exaggeration to say Dedham is one of the most attractive villages in England, set beautifully on the banks of the Stour and it has lost none of its charm and character in the 200 years since Constable immortalised the landscape in his work.

From Dedham it’s a couple of miles to Flatford Mill, where you pass the exact spot from which The Hay Wain, Constable’s most famous masterpiece, was painted, and then cross marshes to the finish in Cattawade.

Just a warning, being a valley, during the winter months the trail can get very muddy as many of the lowland sections near the river are prone to flooding. It’s still great fun to run, but trail shoes are a must.

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If one of the finest artists this country has ever produced deemed it worthy of painting, and his work was adored around the world, who are we trail runners to complain about the odd hill!

The views from the top of the valley on either side really are breath-taking, and the lowland sections along the river, along with the picturesque villages, make for some great running.

If you’re looking for your next adventure, or simply a new 100km route to try, add the Stour Valley Path to your list.

Photos: Credit to Tom Fairbrother

You can follow Tom Fairbrother’s adventures on Twitter, Instagram or via his website.

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