Interred: Autumn Walks Around Bury St Edmunds

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Autumn Walks Around Bury St Edmunds - Thornham Walks

I find it hard to believe I've never mentioned this place on the blog before (except in passing), as it is somewhere we go at least 3 times a year. Thornham Estate is about 1/2 hour drive from Bury St Edmunds, but it's worth the trip. It's easy enough to find ' head down the A14 towards Ipswich, take the A140 towards Diss and turn left, following the brown signs, just after Stoke Ash. You can find it here on the map. There is a field study centre, tea-room and shop by the car-park, which costs £2 for the day.

There are several walks to choose from - we like the 2-mile loop. Lots of useful and interesting information is provided. Some of the trees have got labels telling you about them. So who knows what these ones are?

Lovers of Nowton Park will recognise these from the avenue of them there - they are Limes (aka Lindens).

Watch out also for the rock specimens and little signs with pictures of ancient beasts. They have put a few new panels up since we were last there explaining the history of the estate. Here is the one with the story of the walled garden...

Do go in and see it, especially in autumn. There are geraniums galore and grapes in the greenhouse and the apple trees are laden (or have dropped their fruit). Some interesting varieties of apple too. But the 4 corners of the orchard area have something different. At the greenhouse end there are huge quince trees, but at the other corners the trees bear this fruit...

They are Medlars. Quite unusual in this country, I think - I've never seen them anywhere else.

After visiting the bird-hide, the garden and the caged birds round the back, we did the 2-mile loop - it is shortened a bit in winter to protect some of the paths. Even so, you will need wellies. Just about now you get the full spectrum of autumn colours...