Snape Maltings, Blaxhall Common, Tunstall Forest and Iken Cliff

In the 1850's a malting business was established here. It soon expanded to become one of the largest in East Anglia, supplying malt to major breweries in London and Norwich. An industrial complex in mellow red brick comprising granaries, stables, workshops and malt houses grew up, and from 1859 it had its own branch line.

Today, the railway and barges have gone, but the buildings where malting ceased in 1965, have taken on a new lease of life. In 1966 the Malt House was converted into a concert hall for the Aldeburgh Festival, founded by Benjamin Britten, Peter Pears and others in 1948. The festival had so grown in importance and size that a large permanent venue had become an urgent necessity. Snape, just a few miles inland from Aldeburgh, was ideal. The new concert hall was destroyed by fire in 1969, but was rebuilt in time for the 1970 festival.

Other buildings in the Maltings have also been converted, and now include shops, galleries and restaurants. There is also an enduring magic to the River Alde itself; at low tide a mere trickle between vast banks of mud, at high tide a shimmering flood fringed by golden reeds.

Apart from a short stretch of road right at the beginning, the first half the half of the walk follows paths through first Blaxhall Common, and second Tunstall Forest. The original plantation established in the 1920's on non productive heathland consisted mostly of Corsican and Scot's pine. However, the Great Storm of October 1987 devastated the area, claiming 75% of all standing trees.

Tunstall Forest, covering some 2,500 acres, is now planted with a mixture of Corsican pine and native broadleaf trees such as oak, beech and silver birch. There are also areas of open heathland to encourage one of Britains rarer birds, the woodlark. Tunstall and neighbouring Rendlesham have 20% of the national woodlark population.

As you walk through the forest, you will notice alongside the few mature trees, some dead ones. These have been left standing as perches for birds of prey like hobbies, and as nesting sites for woodpeckers. Fallen trees here provide valuable habitats for insects and fungi.

Leaving Tunstall Forest behind, the route turns back towards the Alde and reaches the river at Iken Cliff. Now just a scattering of cottages with a spectacularly sighted church, Iken was once an important farming and fishing village. There was a jetty at Iken Cliff for loading and unloading barges. And the riverside cottage was The Anchor Inn, one of old Iken's two pubs. Although the trade from Iken Cliff stopped in the 1860's, Snape barges continue to moor in Cliff Reach.

Beyond a meadow picnic site, the path back to Snape borders the rivers rustling reeds beds. The estuary was embanked to claim land for agriculture, but since the 1950's widespread breaching has occurred, creating an ideal environment for wildfowl and waders.

Back at Snape Maltings, the route passes in front of the concert hall. Also here is the sculpture park which exhibits art from famous sculptors including Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore.