Sutton to the Deben
 
For a map and full route information see 20 Walks on the Deben Peninsula obtainable in local bookshops.
 
There was a thin veil of snow on the ground and out of the sun puddles were coated in thick crunchy layers of ice but the sky was blue and the sun warm.  Just the day for walking as long as you were wearing warm gloves and a hat; the guide book warned that the walk was “challenging in terms of terrain and nettles” so we wore boots.
 
Leaving the car at Sutton Church we walked across the road to the stone gateway topped by stone dogs and down the road to Cliff Farm.  The sun was making the frozen puddles sparkle and the dead trees looked grand and magnificent against the clear blue sky.  In our four and a half mile walk we met just four walkers and no cars.  A few sheep were grazing in a field, some horses trotted over to greet us as we passed, a mistle thrush perched on a dead tree and there were many birds on and near the river.
 
After around three quarters of a mile we reached Cliff Farm and turned right towards Methersgate Hall.  Just twenty yards short of the hall is a path on the left which takes you across what had recently been a carrot field and then through a gate past a small copse.  A stand of oak trees were partly submerged in a newly formed pond – we wondered whether they might survive their long soaking. Moving on down towards the river bank we were assaulted by breath taking views.  If you are someone, like me, fascinated by water you will love this walk. 
 
After several more gated fields and a copse we could see Methersgate Quay reaching out into the water in front of us.  The tide was high and water lapped the edge of the quay.  Close to the bank ice capped the water.  Out on the water a yacht moved majestically along the river towards Waldringfield and a couple of skiffs were racing across the water – members of the Woodbridge rowing club I suspect.
 
Having had very little time out of the office of late, we have been really busy this month, I felt as if I was on holiday.  Why, I wondered, do we dash half way across the country for a couple of days holiday when we have such wondrous beauty on the Suffolk Coast, just a couple of miles from our home.  By now we were both feeling full of bon homie and no doubt I had a silly grin on my face.  John was busy snapping away with his camera. 
 
Whilst the winter months are the best time to see winter waders and wildfowl, high tide is not ideal.  We saw dunlin, redshank and shelduck but not in vast numbers.  If we had waited for mid or low tide, they would have been out in their thousands.  On the other hand the river, the reeds and water and sun were a joy to behold.
 
The path from Methersgate Quay to Stonner Point is for the first half mile along the river wall.  Take care here, the top of the bank is very rough going and if you walk along the tide line you are likely to get wet feet unless you are wearing boots.  After about half a mile you can take a path along the side of the field which then takes you into a wood.  Here there are wooden steps down from the cliff to the river edge and then back up to the cliff area further on.  In summer there are a lot of nettles but in winter it is an easy walk. 
 

After a mile or so we left the river and took the path past Lower Farm to Sutton Hall and from there back onto the by-way which takes you back to Sutton.
 
You might like to take some refreshment at The Plough in Sutton before returning to your car.
 
This is the first time we have taken this walk and apart from the area down by the river it was pretty easy going.  We will definitely do the walk again, next time at mid or low tide so that we can get a really good look at the many varieties of waders and waterfowl. 
 
Properties to stay at close to the River Deben include East Lane Cottage, Bawdsey (sleeps 8), 5 Ferry Road, Bawdsey Quay (sleeps 4), Blackbird Cottage, Woodbridge (sleeps 5) and 11 and 11a Theatre Street, Woodbridge (sleeps 5)