Route: Gipping Valley River Path (United Kingdom)

The River Gipping is a river of contrasts, from quiet backwaters to industrial dockland. A run along its banks will reveal an abundance of plants, birds, fish and insects associated with freshwater. You will also encounter historic features including old watermills and navigation locks. Park in the Stowmarket railway station pay and display car park. In front of the railway station is the Pickerel Bridge and Old Maltings; from here the 17-mile river path meanders south to Ipswich, through Needham Market, from where return trains can be caught

In 1793 200 men built 15 locks along the River Gipping. These improvements allowed barges to travel 17 miles to Ipswich, and industries in Stowmarket developed rapidly. The Gipping Valley River Path follows the route of the old towpath to Ipswich. The waterside area is still an important industrial location.

Submitter: Jack Carpenter