Section 5 of 9, Stour Valley Path
Clare to Long Melford
9.7 miles (15.7 km). About 3½ hours, moderate.
Start: TL 772 454. Finish: TL 862 453. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Diversion in place on this route. On section 4 (Kedington to Clare), not this one. The details are on its page.
Up and down
About 187 m of climbing and 197 m of descent; highest point 86 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Clare.
- Bus stops
- Memorial, 250 m from the start. Directions TL 769 453Hill Terrace, 270 m from the start. Directions TL 775 454Common Street, 350 m from the start. Directions TL 769 456
- Car parks
- Car park, 260 m from the start. Directions TL 769 453Clare Country Park (pay), 350 m from the start. Directions TL 769 451Car park, 420 m from the start. Directions TL 776 455
Getting back
The section finishes at Long Melford. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Library, 50 m from the finish. Directions TL 862 453Post Office, 220 m from the finish. Directions TL 862 455
Planning the Stour Valley Path
- Planning the whole trail: discoversuffolk.org.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 26%, gravel and tracks 8%; the rest (67%) isn't recorded.
About 17% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 2 stiles, 1 kissing gate.
Steepest climb: about 37 m in a kilometre (1 in 27), starting 0.3 miles in.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- The Bell, Clare: at the start.Five Bells, Cavendish: 2.9 miles in.The George Inn, Cavendish: 3 miles in.Bull, Cavendish: 3 miles in.The Angel, Glemsford: 4.9 miles in.The Crown Inn, Long Melford: 9.5 miles in.Cock and Bell, Long Melford: 9.6 miles in.The Cock Inn, Clare: near the start, about 350 m off the way.The Globe, Clare: 0.1 miles in, about 350 m off the way.The Hare, Long Melford: 8.8 miles in, about 300 m off the way.
- Cafés
- Tea on The Green, Cavendish: 3 miles in.The Olive Tree, Long Melford: 9.5 miles in.Dilly Dally, Long Melford: 9.5 miles in.The Long Melford Tea Room: at the finish. Seats outside.Tiffins Tea & Coffee House, Long Melford: at the finish.The Pullman Cafe & Vintage Tea Room, Long Melford: at the finish.Eliza's Pantry, Long Melford: at the finish.Tuckermans, Clare: near the start, about 250 m off the way.Old Kitchen Cafe, Long Melford: 9.2 miles in, about 150 m off the way. Seats outside, step-free.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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