The Maybush was originally a 14th century farmhouse, and today is a great Adnams pub with panoramic views across the river and beyond.A 3.5 mile pub walk from the Maybush Inn in Waldringfield, Suffolk. The walking route combines two elements, meaning the walk can be shortened if you wish to complete just one of these elements. The first part is a ‘there and back’ walk down through the salt marshes to reach Early Creek, whilst the second part follows a circular route through the village and surrounding arable land. There are great views throughout and plenty of opportunity to enjoy the birds within the estuary.

Getting thereWaldringfield is situated on the banks of the River Deben, about 4 miles south of Woodbridge in Suffolk. The walk starts and finishes from The Maybush Inn on Cliff Road, right on the water’s edge. The pub has its own car park at the rear and, if this is full, there is also a large pay and display car park alongside. The charges are £1 for 3 hours or £5 for all day (correct Spring 2014), £1 of which can be reclaimed from your bar bill within the pub.

Approximate post code IP12 4QL.

Walk Sections Start to Early Creek

Standing on Cliff Road with your back to the porch entrance of the Maybush Inn, turn right for a few paces towards the river. At the junction of paths, turn right again on the footpath to Early Creek. Keep ahead along this footpath which follows the back of a stretch of sandy

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1. The walk follows unmade paths, all of which can be fairly muddy.

2. The first section follows an embankment path out through the salt marshes at the edge of the river estuary. It is best to walk around low tide and, as the path is subject to erosion/flooding, only walk as far as it is safe to do so.

3. Be careful as the path is uneven and take care with children and dogs to ensure they don’t wander onto the dangerous mud flats.

4. The second part includes one section of roadside walking along a quiet lane so take care of any traffic at this point.

5. There are no gates or stiles on route, and the gradients are all very steady.

THE MAYBUSH INN AND DEBEN ESTUARY, WALDRINGFIELD, SUFFOLK

3.5 miles Circular 1 to 1.5 hours

Access Notes

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Moderate Terrain

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beach, with the Deben Estuary to the left.

You’ll pass a small Harbourmaster hut on the right and, soon afterwards, fork right to join the raised sandy path which passes directly in front of Waldringfield Sailing Club. After passing a few beach houses on the right, turn right to join the fenced footpath which then swings left behind the small yard of dinghies. Keep right again and then, before you draw level with the last row of beach houses you’ll see a footpath sign on the left marking a junction of paths.

Here you have two choices. For the full walk, turn left. (However, if you wish to exclude the stretch though the marshes to Early Creek – shortening the walk to 1.5 miles – keep straight ahead at this junction and you will reach a tunnel of trees – now jump to the directions in the section ‘Tree Tunnel to White Hall’).

On the full walk, you will pass between hedgerows and then emerge to follow the grass path along the top of an embankment, with open salt marshes each side. Keep ahead over Church Farm Sluice and then follow the path as it winds to the edge of the crop field. Turn left to follow the left-hand field edge path and follow this path for some distance. A little way in, the path dog-legs left and then right and you will climb once again to join a path along the top of a raised embankment.

Follow this path for some distance, taking time to enjoy the views and keeping your eyes peeled for all the birds which come to the estuary to feed. Note: the path is subject to erosion from the water so take care and ensure children and dogs don’t stray onto the dangerous mud flats. Only continue as far as it is safe to do so – in Spring 2014 it was possible to walk for almost a mile to Early Creek.

Early Creek to Tree Tunnel

Once you’ve reached the end of the walkable embankment, turn around and retrace your steps back through the salt marsh, now with the River Deben across to the right.

The River Deben rises in Debenham, passes through Woodbridge and then becomes a tidal estuary for this stretch and out to the North Sea at Felixstowe Ferry. The river is a Special Protection Area, its significance arising from its over-wintering population of avocets. These striking black and white waders use their long beaks to extract crustaceans and insects from the mud flats. The avocet became extinct in Great Britain in 1840. Its successful re-colonisation at nearby Minsmere in 1947, led to its adoption as the logo of the RSPB.

At the end of the embankment, continue a little further and then dog-leg left and then right to re-join the right-hand field edge path. As the field edge begins to swing left, fork right through the gap in the hedgerow to join the path back through the marshes. You will emerge back to the T-junction of paths within

the collection of beach houses.

For the full walk, turn left here and keep ahead to enter a small tunnel of trees. (However, if you wish to shorten the walk – to 2 miles, turn right and follow the footpath alongside the beach straight back to the pub.)

Tree Tunnel to White Hall

Beyond the tunnel of trees, keep ahead over the sleeper bridge and then continue past the large lake on the left. The path swings left around the top of the lake and then climbs to become a wider track straight across the centre of a crop field.

As the path climbs you’ll have great views across the estuary to the left once again. Continue ahead through the centre of the next field and, just beyond this, you’ll come to the property called White Hall on the right – which, confusingly, isn’t white!

White Hall to All Saints Church

At the corner of the hedgeline, turn right along the bridleway, with White Hall still to the right. Keep ahead as the path becomes a wider stone track and follow this out, past Plum Tree Cottage, and to the junction with the road.

Turn right along the road edge. Note: take particular care of any traffic as there are no verges or pavements. Continue over the brow of the hill and down into a dip where you’ll pass Church Farm on the left. The road climbs again and you’ll pass All Saints Church on the right. Waldringfield as a settlement is thought to have been in existence since the Iron Age. The Church dates from the 14th century and is Grade II listed.

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All Saints Church to End

Immediately after passing the church and its small black-boarded hall, turn right to follow the signed footpath with the hedge to the right. Follow this wide track ahead, leading you between crop fields and with views across the estuary opening up ahead.

At the field corner, keep ahead on the narrower path with a hedge running to the right. At the next field corner you’ll see a three-way signpost marking a junction of paths. Turn left here to follow the path along the bottom edge of the field. The path leads you between garden fences and out to a T-junction with the village road. Turn right along the road and after a short distance you’ll come to The Maybush Inn on the right for some well-earned hospitality.

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Disclaimer

This walking route was walked and checked at the time of writing. We have taken care to make sure all our walks are safe for walkers of a reasonable level of experience and fitness. However, like all outdoor activities, walking carries a degree of risk and we accept no responsibility for any loss or damage to personal effects, personal accident, injury or public liability whilst following this walk. We cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies that result from changes to the routes that occur over time. Please let us know of any changes to the routes so that we can correct the information.Walking SafetyFor your safety and comfort we recommend that you take the following with you on your walk: bottled water, snacks, a waterproof jacket, waterproof/sturdy boots, a woolly hat and fleece (in winter and cold weather), a fully-charged mobile phone, a whistle, a compass and an Ordnance Survey map of the area. Check the weather forecast before you leave, carry appropriate clothing and do not set out in fog or mist as these conditions can seriously affect your ability to navigate the route. Take particular care on cliff/mountain paths where steep drops can present a particular hazard. Some routes include sections along roads – take care to avoid any traffic at these points. Around farmland take care with children and dogs, particularly around machinery and livestock. If you are walking on the coast make sure you check the tide times before you set out.

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