Autumn Equinox Pilgrimage

“Balance & Flow: Bungay & the River Waveney”

BUNGAY, according to a town website (see below*), “is a beautiful historic market town, in the heart of the Waveney Valley with roots that can be traced back to Roman Times. Nestling within a wide meander of the River Waveney, which forms the border between Norfolk and Suffolk, Bungay was... in an excellent position ... to ward off invaders.”

OVERVIEW

Our Pilgrimage will start at 10.30, when we will gather on Earsham Street, opposite the Earsham Street Café. People who arrive early can grab a coffee at the Café.

There are a number of car parks nearby, all charging £5 for the day.

We will then explore the Waveney & the historic centre of Bungay, pausing part way for lunch at Earsham Street Café (booking essential) or bring your own packed lunch.

After lunch we will continue to explore, drawing our day to a close between 3 & 4 pm.

IN MORE DETAIL

This will be a walking pilgrimage throughout, as all the places we will visit are close to each other.

We will start our Pilgrimage in the west at the Roaring Arch Bridge over the Waveney, just outside Bungay (around 10 minutes walk from our gathering place). Appreciating the extensive water meadows, we then walk back towards the town. Crossing the Norfolk /Suffolk border as we walk, we will pause at a much older stone bridge spanning another branch of the Waveney, as we approach Bungay’s historic centre. The Mary Line passes through Bungay, and our first encounter will be as we climb up to the Castle and its grounds, where we will find both ancient walls and beautiful trees.

Tracing the Mary Line further we cross the main shopping street, which follows the line of the old town defences, to explore the churchyard & the Priory Church of St Mary (Churches Conservation Trust). Here we find an ancient stone, known locally as the Druid Stone, and the remains of the priory buildings.

We will then walk just a few yards to follow the line over Trinity Street to the churchyard of round-towered Holy Trinity Church.

Next we will visit the Market Place & the Buttercross, with its statue of Justice with her sword & scales atop its dome. We will then visit the Town Well (Roman origins) en route to Bridge Street. Moving west we cross Falcon Bridge, where the Waveney separates Bungay from Ditchingham Dam. By now the river has swept around the town in a large meander to the north, and the County border is again very close.

We will then wander through the lovely Falcon Meadow, alongside the river, crossing by footbridge back into Bungay, with just a few minute’s walk to get back to our starting place.

Further info and to book for the day contact: carolineweatherby@gmail.com Tel 07517 338950

Donation to Gatekeeper Trust for the day: £5 - £10 or what you can afford.

More about Bungay *www.bungay-suffolk.co.uk & **bungaytowntrust.onesuffolk.net