St Edmund Way

Walk St Edmund Way

St Edmund Way is an approximately 80-mile / 129 km pilgrimage route running from Manningtree in Essex to Brandon in the Brecks. Crossing much of Suffolk, the route passes through Bury St Edmunds, whose medieval abbey and shrine to St Edmund made the town one of England's major pilgrimage destinations. The route connects river valleys, farmland, medieval towns, woodland and heathland as it makes its way north.

From Manningtree, the route follows the Stour Valley through the landscapes around Dedham Vale National Landscape before continuing towards Sudbury. This southern section combines riverside walking, water meadows, farmland and villages along the Suffolk-Essex border.

Further north, the route connects some of Suffolk's best-known medieval wool towns and villages, including Long Melford and Lavenham, before reaching Bury St Edmunds. The changing settlements and surrounding countryside make this central section particularly rich in the history and architecture of Suffolk.

Beyond Bury St Edmunds, the landscape gradually changes as the route continues towards the Brecks. Farmland gives way to sandier soils, heathland and woodland as St Edmund Way passes through West Stow and continues across the Brecks towards Thetford before reaching Brandon.

The terrain is generally gentle, with much of the route following field paths, riverside paths, countryside tracks, woodland trails and quiet lanes. Its combination of river landscapes, historic settlements and the distinctive heathland and forests of the Brecks gives St Edmund Way a noticeably changing character from south to north.

Overview

Distance: Approximately 80 miles / 129 km
Typical duration: 5–7 walking days
Difficulty: Easy-going to Moderate
Start: Manningtree
Finish: Brandon
Terrain: River-valley paths, farmland, quiet lanes, countryside tracks, woodland and heathland