Starting from the historic wool town of Clare, Suffolk\u2019s smallest town, the route links three of the area\u2019s most charming churches, wending its way along the Stour Valley to Cavendish, before returning\u00a0 <\/span>on the Stour Valley Path high above the river.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Pop into the St Gregory and St George church in Pentlow, with its distinctive round tower, visit a ghostly railway station and peaceful priory, and revel in some classic Suffolk views. The wind off the North Sea can come whistling down the valley, so wrap up warm and pack a thermos as you set off to explore this delightful Suffolk-Essex borderland.<\/p>\n You may also like:<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> 6.9 miles\/11.1km | 4 hours | moderate<\/em><\/p>\n 1. Over the river<\/strong><\/p>\n From Clare Castle Country Park car park, cross the metal bridge over the River Stour. The walk goes left here, but continue straight ahead for a detour to visit the charming 13th-century Clare Priory, one of the oldest religious houses in England and home to a mixed community of Augustinian friars and lay people. The priory is private but visitors are welcome in the peaceful grounds, ruins and shrine.<\/p>\n Return to the metal bridge and follow the riverbank to rejoin the route. Once over the weir, go diagonally right and continue up to the lane (you are now in Essex), turning left and joining the bridleway after about 200m.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n When the track meets the meandering Stour river, turn right and follow the hedgerow east uphill for approximately 3km. Turn left at the lane, passing 16th-century Bower Hall. <\/b>At the meadow, the path veers slightly right to follow the fenceline on through a wood to Pentlow (Essex).<\/p>\n 2. Round tower<\/strong><\/p>\n At the road, the route goes left but first, carry on ahead to the 12th-century church of St Gregory and St George with its unusual crenulated round tower. Take a peek behind the organ at the impressive 17th-century Kempe tomb, comprising recumbent figures of Judge George Kempe, his son John and daughter-in-law Elinore, and panel carvings of their 14 children.<\/p>\n Return to the road and cross the river back into Suffolk. Continue into Cavendish, turning left on to the riverbank footpath, with a fine row of poplar and weeping willows framing Pentlow Mill opposite. Look out for, then take the footpath on the right. Nip through a garden and along Ram Alley, turning left at Cavendish High Street, where cart wheels were once soaked in a pond \u2013 known as \u2018The Waiver\u2019 (meaning swampy ground) \u2013 to swell and tighten the wooden joints. In the 14th century, Cavendish was home to John Cavendish \u2013 the ancestor of the Dukes of Devonshire \u2013 whose son, also John, struck the fatal blow that killed Wat Tyler in the suppression of the Peasant\u2019s Revolt in 1381.<\/p>\n 3. Pretty in pink<\/strong><\/p>\n Cross the busy road at The Green for one of Suffolk\u2019s most iconic views and a quintessential English scene: a row of pink thatched\u00a0cottages with a backdrop of St Mary the Virgin church. Unusually, the church tower has a chimney, which serves the fireplace in the priest\u2019s room. Inside, note the striking 16th-century Flemish alabaster of the crucifixion, with gilded reredos and the poignant wooden crosses, 13 of them, each a temporary marker for parish residents who perished on the battlefields of the First World War. Look out, too, for the memorial to former residents, husband and wife Leonard Cheshire and Sue Ryder, both now known for their eponymous charities.<\/p>\n On departing, head along the back of The Green and pass the thatched Five Bells pub (something of a misnomer, for St Mary\u2019s\u00a0tower has six bells), soon joining the Stour Valley Path. This section (approximately 3.5km) crosses farmland with fine valley views, continues on by Houghton Hall and eventually drops down to Clare. At Hermitage Farm, take the path on the right through the farmyard and then left at the road.<\/p>\n 4. Wool church<\/strong><\/p>\n The final stretch winds through Clare, with its pretty historic buildings and independent shops. Pass to the right of St Peter and St Paul\u2019s, one of the biggest wool churches in Suffolk, before stopping to visit the Ancient House Museum. The Grade-I-listed building, with its remarkable pargeting (decorative plastering), dates from the 14th century, making it one of the oldest houses in the county. Continue down Market Hill and, at the bottom, go left on to Station Road.<\/p>\n Enter Clare Castle Country Park and follow the path as it bends around to the right, back to the car park. Time permitting, climb the castle motte, dating to the time of William the Conqueror, for the best view of the town, and visit the old railway station (and caf\u00e9), both accessible from the car park. And If you\u2019re looking for last-minute Christmas shopping, pop into the vast emporium of Clare Antiques in the old mill building.<\/p>\n For refreshments, there\u2019s no shortage of choice: Caf\u00e9 Clare on Well Lane and Platform One at the old railway station are two of our favourites. If all this leaves you wanting more, head for the annual Dickensian Christmas extravaganza (second and third weekends in December) at Tudor mansion Kentwell Hall, nearby in Long Melford.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Clare, Pentlow and Cavendish walking route and map<\/a><\/p>\n![\""Clare\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/11\/Clare-Castle\u2019s-motte-74d45d7.jpg?quality=90&resize=620%2C413"\" "\\"\"Clare\\"")
<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Clare, Pentlow and Cavendish walk<\/h2>\n
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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture><\/div>Clare, Pentlow and Cavendish map<\/h2>\n
![\""Stour\"](\""https:\/\/images.immediate.co.uk\/production\/volatile\/sites\/22\/2018\/11\/Screen-Shot-2018-11-21-at-13.52.58-c87f033.png?quality=90&resize=553%2C413"\" "\\"\"Stour\\"\/")
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