Another countryside route explored. I know that others of you may have run, some, if not all of this route in the past but for me it was the first time.
Well, what a wonderful route it proved to be. Beautiful scenery, acres of views and miles of peace and quiet.
This route was every bit as nice as the Arger Fen route on my previous post, and as an added bonus, not quite as hilly :-) Having said that, it is, without doubt a route of two halves. The Pebmarsh side of the Sudbury Halstead road is relatively flat(ish), but, cross that main Sudbury road, and it gets just a bit up and down. There are, however some nice flat parts, so its not completely up and down all the time. Theres plenty of time to relax.
I am adding photos this time showing turns and junctions, I hope this helps.
Getting to the start
Follow the Sudbury to Halstead road up Ballingdon hill. Take the 1st turning for Pebmarsh half a mile on the left past the Little India restaurant, just opposite a layby on the right. Follow this twisty road until you reach the Pebmarsh football pitch on the left, just over a mile from the turning. Park here (if you want to that is)
The route
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Carpark
Start and car park |
Standing at the exit of the car park area run back the way you just drove in. Follow this road along until you come to a turn on the left, it is a left turn, but kind of goes straight on
(1) due to it being on a very sharp right bend. There is a sign to the left just around the side of a tree which says Stanley Hall, follow that road..
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| Left turn (1) |
Follow this road down a hill and back up the other side, taking the next right turn
(2).
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| Right turn (2) |
Follow this road along until you come to the main Sudbury Halstead road. I need not remind you to take care when crossing this busy road, do I? Straight over the main main road taking the lane opposite you
(3)
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| Straight over crossroads (3) |
Carry on along this road until you come to a T-junction (4) take the right turn.
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| Right turn (4) |
A shortish run now to the next turning, which is to the left (5), opposite a black barn called Harpers Barn.
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| Turn left (5) |
Follow this, ahem, undulating section of the run down a narrow road. Eventually you will come to a right turn, that looks more like a dirt track than a road, take that turn (6).
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| Right turn (6) |
This road/track is probably the only section that could get muddy, there was a point where my new running shoes looked like they may get dirty, fortunately I kept it to a minimum. :-) Dirty running shoes, absolutely note!
Follow this equally undulating track until you come to a T-junction (7), take the right turn.
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| Right turn (7) |
A relatively uneventful road now, for just under a mile, a slight up slope but nothing like earlier hills.
At yet another T-junction take the left turn, into Gestingthorpe Road (8).
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| Left turn (8) |
Take the next right, into Cock Road, just after a red house (9), only a hundred yards or so from the turning just taken,
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| Right turn (9) |
Stay on this road for about 1.5 miles, this will take you back across the main Sudbury Halstead road again, this time you will cross it at the Little India junction (10)
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| Straight over crossroads (10) |
Straight over the main road taking the road opposite. Keep on this reasonably flat section through to the next turn, which is to the right at a triangle of grass junction (11). Maplestead will be signed back the way you just came. This road is a little busier than the last few roads you would have been on, so please take care.
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| Right turn (11) |
Follow this road now, you are now heading back towards Pebmarsh. Keep left (12) (on the main road you are on) at the turn to the right, which is signed Colne Engaine and Halstead. As mentioned, dont take this turn, stay left.
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| Keep left (12) |
Run this road until you come to the last T-junction (13) of the route, and the last turn actually. Turn right here, either take the few yards of path, or stay on the road until the junction proper.
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| Right turn or path (13) |
After this right turn you are now back on the main Pebmarsh road, which can be busy, follow this road until you arrive back at the car.
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| Finish Back at the start |
Well I hope you enjoy running this route, or even reading about it.
