Section 2 of 2, The Mid Suffolk Footpath
Thwaite to Stowmarket
10.5 miles (16.9 km). About 3½ hours, moderate.
Start: TM 113 681. Finish: TM 044 596. 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.
Up and down
About 71 m of climbing and 87 m of descent; highest point 64 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Thwaite.
- Bus stop
- The Walnut Tree, 330 m from the start. Directions TM 116 681
- Car parks
- Car park (free), 350 m from the start. Directions TM 116 683Car park, 380 m from the start. Directions TM 116 682Car park (free), 710 m from the start. Directions TM 115 688
Getting back
The section finishes at Stowmarket. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Cherry Tree Road, 110 m from the finish. Directions TM 044 595Allotments, 150 m from the finish. Directions TM 043 597Violet Hill Road, 170 m from the finish. Directions TM 045 594
Planning The Mid Suffolk Footpath
- Planning the whole trail: discoversuffolk.org.uk.
- The guidebook the trail recommends: Mid Suffolk Footpath (2025 edition) (Walking in the Wild).
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 54%; the rest (45%) isn't recorded.
About 50% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 2 gates.
No steep climbs: no kilometre gains more than about 10 m.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
Pubs and cafés
- Pubs
- The King's Head, Mendlesham: 1.8 miles in.Kings Head, Mendlesham: 1.9 miles in. Seats outside.
- Café
- Sat Cafe, Mendlesham: 1.9 miles in.
As OpenStreetMap records them. Opening times change, so check before you set off.
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Something wrong or missing?
Tell us what to change about this section: a wrong distance, a moved start, a path that's closed.