Wikipedia describes the burial grounds at Sutton Hoo as north of Tranmer House, at a point where the ridge of the Deben valley veers westwards to form a promontory. So you could say we have our own Valley of the Kings, right here in Suffolk.
As a keen reader of Bernard Cornwell and in particular his Saxon Series and born in Ipswich, it’s remarkable that I have not visited before. It’s only 10 miles from where I live today.
Cornwell describes the making of a sword from twisted rods in his books so it was interesting to see the raw materials as well as many of the accessories owned by the warriors of the time.
Along this walk a tree had snapped in half and speared the ground. The centre of the tree had decayed, possibly brought on by an attack by pests or invertebrates. The last straw may have been a storm or the effect of gravity on the weakened trunk. The result is spectacular but it would have been dangerous when it happened.
Half the tree is standing with a semi decayed inner trunk and the other half stabbed into the ground like a fallen rocket and leaning against a neighbouring tree.
Photo’s taken lee of the wind and ready to run!
Distance: 8½ Miles
Elevation Range: 0 to 100 feet
Weather Check: Woodbridge, Suffolk
Map: Click here and once loaded select “Leisure” map
Route Card: A circular walk around Sutton Hoo, Suffolk
Download: Walkers Route Card Template for Word 2010
Wikipedia: Raedwald Sutton Hoo
Local Website: National Trust Sutton Hoo
Twitter: NT Sutton Hoo
Facebook Page: Sutton Hoo Organisation