Short Walk Series
2 miles
60-80 minutes
Easy
The Two Counties Short Walk is a grand name for a walk that takes in part of the Park, the Town, the Nuttery, the Priory and the River Stour. Discover different parts of Clare and enjoy the scenery offered by our small town.
1 From the car park walk into the Park and ascend the Motte. Take in the views of the town and surrounding countryside.
2 Walk down the Motte and at the top of the wooden staircase carry on straight across onto “Lady’s Walk”. At the end of Lady’s Walk turn left onto the path and follow it around to Station Road.
3 On the corner of Station Road and Market Hill cross the road and turn left along Well Lane, then cross to the High Street towards the Swan Inn. Walk along the footpath to the left of Swan as you face it. As you reach the corner of a large field turn right and continue towards the cemetery.
4 Just before the cemetery there is a path on your left that goes towards the Nuttery. Walk through the Nuttery and in the middle bear left until you come out onto grassland. Walk diagonally away from the Nuttery and head downhill to a gate at the bottom of the field.
5 Turn right towards the housing estate and onto Maxim Lane. Walk down Maxim Lane to the main road, Stoke Road. Turn right, walk along the pavement and cross the road near Westfield. Walk a further 200m and turn left into a lane that takes you past the Golf Club.
6 Take the path past the Golf Club and on over the river to Ashen Road. At Ashen Road turn left and walk along the pavement for about 250m, as far as the waymarked footpath between two houses on the left. The waymark is on the right hand side of the road.
7 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 to the entrance to the Priory on your left.
8 Walk through the Priory and take the path between the large house and outbuildings. When facing the Catholic Church turn left.
9 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.
Starting in Clare Castle Country Park, The Two Counties Short Walk is a grand name for a walk that takes in part of the Park, the Town, the Nuttery, the Priory and the River Stour. Discover different parts of Clare and enjoy the scenery offered by our small town.
A 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 To your left as you walk along Lady’s Walk is the flint wall that once separated the inner and outer baileys of the castle. The portion of the flint keep on top of the motte and the wall at Lady’s Walk were recently restored by English Heritage.
C As you approach the Swan Inn in the High Street take a look at its frontage. Above the main doorway is a carved solid block of oak – possibly the oldest inn sign in England. It is said to be the base of an oriel window taken from Clare Castle.
D The Nuttery is owned by Clare Town Council and forms part of the Dedham Vale and Stour Valley Countryside Project. At the Nuttery you can experience the birth of a woodland. Hundreds of young trees have been planted in recent years, along with boundary hedges. There is also a large pond. As you enter the Nuttery you will see a carved totem pole near the pond.
E Maxim Lane and Pask Way are named after the first and last Clare men killed in World War One. Just beyond the junction of the two roads is a sign showing the site of a brick kiln, found before the building of the surrounding houses. It is estimated that the kiln was last fired between 1500 and 1550.
F Clare Golf Club is built on the site of old gravel pits and an attractive lake is a feature of the course. The Clubhouse is open for coffee and snacks and its terrace affords some fine views.
G As you turn left 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.
H 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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