Walk 2149 - printer friendly version

Circuit of Alton Water Walk

Author - Lou Johnson

Length - 7.6 miles / 12.4 km

Ascent - 350 feet / 106 metres

Grade - easy/mod

Start - OS grid reference TM140364
Lat 51.9848170 + Long 1.1150505
Postcode IP9 2EJ (approx. location only)

Alton Water is the largest reservoir in Suffolk and this walk completes a clockwise circuit of this inland water. The route is generally easy to follow on clear paths and tracks with a short section of road walking. The walk starts from The Wonder pay and display car park on the west side of the reservoir (grid ref. TM140364). However alternative parking is available at other points around the shoreline. After parking, join the cycleway and footpath close to the reservoir and continue with the reservoir on your right.

Continue along the clear path around the shore passing the village of Tattingstone on your left. The path leads to a road by Lemons Hill Bridge (grid ref. TM137374). Turn right across the bridge, pass a small car park, and then take the next signed path on the right. The path leads across a field into woodland and a path junction where you turn left. Follow the path through trees turning right and then right again to regain the shoreline. Continue along the clear path, ignoring paths on the left. The path continues around an inlet. Ignore a bridleway on the right and stay on the path around a headland to near Birchwood House (grid ref. TM149368).

The route continues along the shore soon running beside a track after which the path continues to reach the northern end of the reservoir dam. Cross the dam and turn right with the path soon joining an access road. Continue past the Alton Water Sports Centre to reach the Visitor Centre and toilets (grid ref. TM156353). Turn right onto a tarmac path opposite the visitor centre (adjacent to a zebra crossing). Pass a playground on your right and a campsite on your left. The onward route follows a clear path back to the start at The Wonder car park.

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