Although less well known than the tidal estuary, the upper River Deben and its smaller tributaries flow through some of Suffolk’s most delightful and characteristic countryside.

This is a direct ‘all weather’ route above the flood plain. The route passes through the picturesque village of Ufford, where the village stocks can be seen outside the churchyard gate near the tower. Ufford church is a good example of Suffolk flint and stone panelled flushwork. Inside there are fine roofs to the nave and chancel, a set of superbly carved bench ends and the famous telescopic font cover reaching to the roof.

Route finding - key points (numbers refer to points on the route diagrams)

1. From Melton station turn right over the level crossing and immediately right again through a kissing gate; follow the path to steps and the riverbank. Go left towards Wilford Bridge.
2. Cross the main road and go along Brick Kiln Lane.
3. Where the lane swings left follow a path off right, behind a domestic garage. Beyond Decoy Cottage go right onto the public road towards Melton Old Church (or take the short cut path across the golf course).
4. From the north-east corner of Ufford churchyard a short grassy lane leads down to a narrow footbridge. Go left immediately around the edge of a meadow; then diagonally right across the next meadow towards the thatched cottage.
5. A fingerpost marks the start of a path rising gradually between hedges. Where these end, keep in the same direction across an open field towards a large oak tree at the next field corner.
6. Continue direction, now with the hedge on your left.
7. At the concrete pad, the path goes diagonally right across an arable field to a wooded corner of Loudham Park.
8. At the far corner of the park boundary go sharp left around the field edges to a stile into Loudham Hall Road. Go right along the road.
9. Either take the ‘Circular Walk’ route left over the footbridge, on to cross paths, then right up through trees to road, or keep to the road passing Ashe Abbey (glimpsed through bordering trees) and the diagonal short cut path left to the road.
10. Options re-join. A finger post points the path across the field to the railway fence. Go left by the railway into Ullswater Road, then right towards the Dog and Duck public house and station.