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Bures Walks

10.31 miles (16.6 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This pretty village is located in a lovely spot on the River Stour on the Suffolk/Essex county border. There's some lovely river trails and the wonderful Dedham Vale AONB just to the east.
This circular walk from the village uses sections of the Stour Valley Path and the St Edmund Way to explore the area to the east of the settlement.
The walk starts in the village centre where you can pick up the Stour Valley Path. Follow the waymarked trail south east and it will take you past Bures Mill and Wormingford Mere to the neighbouring village of Wormingford.
The route continues past Garnons Chase, Bottengoms and Little Horkesley where you turn north to Wiston Mill and Weir. From here it is a short walk into Nayland where you could stop for a rest and refreshment at what is roughly the half way point on the walk.
From Nayland you head west to pick up the St Edmund Way. This long distance footpath will take you west through the countryside back to Bures. This section of the walk passes Wissington Grange and the Arger Fen bird reserve.

Postcode

CO8 5AT - Please note: Postcode may be approximate for some rural locations

Bures OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Bures Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Walks near Bures

  • Sudbury - This circular walk takes you around the delightful Water Meadows in the Suffolk town of Sudbury
  • Stoke By Nayland - This route uses sections of the St Edmund Way, the Essex Way and the Stour Valley Path to create a circular walk around this Suffolk based village
  • Dedham to Flatford Walk - This circular walk takes you from the village of Dedham to the site of Constable's most famous painting at Flatford Mill
  • Dedham Vale - Explore John Constable country and visit the site of his famous Hay Wain painting on this circular walk in the Dedham Vale AONB
  • Flatford Mill - Visit the site of Constable's most famous painting and enjoy a short stroll along the River Stour on this easy walk in the Dedham Vale AONB
  • Polstead - This pretty Suffolk based village has a picturesque green, a nice village pond and a fine 17th century pub for post walk refreshment
  • Hadleigh Railway Walk - This walk takes you along the trackbed of the old Hadleigh Railway line from Hadleigh to Raydon Wood railway station in Suffolk
  • Colchester - A circular riverside walk around the centre of Colchester, visiting Colchester Castle and the River Colne
  • East Bergholt - This attractive Suffolk village is in a fine location for exploring the wonderful Dedham Vale AONB in Constable Country
  • Clare Castle Country Park - This pretty country park is situated on the River Stour in the Suffolk town of Clare
  • High Woods Country Park - This country park in Colchester includes woodland, open spaces, ponds, a lake and wildflower meadows
  • Ardleigh Reservoir - This reservoir near Colchester has a nice country lane running along its northern side
  • Wolves Wood - This short walk takes you around the RSPB's Wolves Wood near Hadleigh and Ipswich in Suffolk.

Pubs/Cafes

The Thatcher's Arms is a good choice for some post walk refreshment. The 19th century pub includes a cosy interior with wood burning stoves and oak beams. Outside there's a lovely garden are with splendid views over the valley. You can find them on Hall Road at postcode CO8 5AT for your sat navs.

Dog Walking

The country trails make for a fine dog walk and the Thatcher's Arms mentioned above is also very dog friendly with water and treats available.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just to the south of the village there's Mount Bures where you can visit a Motte and Bailey Castle that was built in the 12th Century. See the video below for more details.

Photos

The River Stour from the bridge at Bures - geograph.org.uk - 2183648

The River Stour from the bridge at Bures

Bures High Street - geograph.org.uk - 860343

Bures High Street

River Stour North of Wormingford - geograph.org.uk - 262464

River Stour North of Wormingford

River Stour at Bures - geograph.org.uk - 859997

River Stour at Bures. A footpath leads alongside the river, from Colchester Road to the Primary School. This view upstream is towards the centre of the village. The river marks the boundary between Essex (from where the photo was taken) and Suffolk, on the opposite bank.

Wiston Hall - geograph.org.uk - 860424

Wiston Hall. Adjacent to the church, this red-brick building assumes the as-pronounced version of the hamlet of Wissington.

River Stour at Nayland - geograph.org.uk - 186541

River Stour at Nayland. The 42-mile long River Stour flows from near West Wickham in Cambridgeshire to Harwich. From much of the route it follows the Essex/Suffolk border. Here at Nayland, as elsewhere in the Stour valley, it is prone to flooding. But not on this fine June day.

Gated Field - geograph.org.uk - 1964803

Gated Field on the St Edmund Way

"Over the hill" - geograph.org.uk - 375048

"Over the hill". Part of the St Edmunds Way, east of Bures in Suffolk

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Bures.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)