Short Walk Series
2 miles
60-80 minutes
Easy
The Short Long Lane Walk is an opportunity to cross the river and walk along an ancient drovers’ way, returning to the Park along part of the Stour Valley Path and through the historic Clare Priory.
1 From the car park walk across the old railway bridge and turn left onto the riverside path. Keeping the river on your left walk to the weir and across into Mill Meadow.
2 Walk diagonally across the field to the stile which leads onto a footbridge. Please be aware that cattle are often grazed in this field. Walk across the footbridge and then take the path to the road. Turn right when you reach the road and walk about 150 metres until you reach the byway Long Lane on your left.
3 Walk along Long Lane for about 900m until you see a footpath on your right. Take this path and walk along it for 150m, then turn right again downhill towards the valley. This stretch has viewpoints of the valley and Clare.
4 As you reach the end of this path take care as you step onto a busy road, Ashen Road. Cross the road and turn left. Walk along Ashen Road for 200m and turn right onto the waymarked public footpath between two houses. The waymark is on the left hand side of the road.
5 Walk along this path keeping the river on your left. You will emerge onto Ashen Road where you need to turn right and walk along a short way to the entrance to the Priory on
your left.
6 Walk through the Priory and take the path between the large house and outbuildings. When facing the Catholic Church turn left.
7 Follow this path around to an old wooden gate. Go through this gate; you are now back in the Park. Turn right to the car park.
Alternative route avoiding stiles
1a From the car park cross the old railway bridge.Carry straight on keeping the river on your right.
2a At the blue iron bridge turn left along Ashen Road. Turn left onto Hickford Hill. After 250m turn right onto Long Lane.
Starting in Clare Castle Country Park, the Short Long Lane Walk is an opportunity to cross the river and walk along an ancient drovers’ way, returning to the Park along part of the Stour Valley Path and through the historic Clare Priory.
A Starting in Clare Castle Country Park, the Short Long Lane Walk is an opportunity to cross the river and walk along an ancient drovers’ way,
returning to the Park along part of the Stour Valley Path and through the historic Clare Priory. Clare Castle began as an earth and timber castle in the late 11th century. It has 2 baileys, a moat and a high motte with the ruin of an early 13C keep. In the 19C a railway station was built through its inner bailey.
B The main river running through the Park is not the Stour. This is a mill stream called the ‘New Cut’, established to operate a mill belonging to the Priory, in use in the 14th century. You walk along the south side of the New Cut and over a stile where the “Cut” is controlled by a weir that enables the levels to be altered in times of flood or for maintenance.
C The short stretch of field between the weir and the bridge over the River Stour is called Mill Meadow. Cattle are sometimes grazed in the meadow so care should be taken. This is a particularly picturesque part of the route. From Mill Meadow cross the wooden bridge over the Stour into Essex. The Stour forms the county border between Suffolk and Essex for much of its course.
D The ancient trackway now known as Long Lane forms part of the Clare to Hedingham Magna Carta Walk and may well have been a route frequently used between the two castles. The Magna Carta Walk can be found on our website.
E Turn right as you reach a row of yellow metal bollards on your right. This path takes you off Long Lane and you will see some fine views to your right. It is worth stopping here to admire the unique view of the town, Church, Castle and Stour Valley.
F As you turn right off Ashen Road you are briefly joining the Stour Valley Path. The Path follows the river valley downstream, passing through some of the most attractive landscapes in East Anglia, including Constable country towards the end near East Bergholt.
G Clare Priory is one of the oldest religious houses in England. Established in 1248, it was the first house of the Augustinian (or Austin) Friars in England. Following its suppression in 1538, the house passed through many hands and uses until the Augustinian Friars purchased the house in 1953 and returned to their origins in England.
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