The Valley Trail is a peaceful, level route that follows a former railway line once connecting Sudbury to Cambridge, weaving through the historic Sudbury riverside meadows—the oldest continuously grazed meadows in East Anglia. Starting from the Kingfisher car park beside the leisure centre, the trail offers an easy and accessible way to explore the landscape just south of Bury St Edmunds. Managed by the Sudbury Common Lands Charity, the route has become an important refuge for rare wildflowers and wildlife, with open grassland, wooded cuttings and river views creating a varied and atmospheric backdrop for a walk. As you follow the old Great Eastern Railway corridor, you’re walking through a living slice of local history shaped by both industry and nature.

There’s plenty to enjoy along the Valley Trail, whether you’re out for a gentle stroll, wildlife spotting or a longer wander through the Stour Valley. The wide, compacted path makes it suitable year‑round, and you can walk up to three miles through changing habitats—one moment overlooking Sudbury Meadows, the next surrounded by wild woodland. Herons, egrets and kingfishers are regular sights, and in summer the trail comes alive with butterflies and dragonflies. A rewarding destination is Brundon Mill, where you can join the Stour Valley Path for views of the mill pond and river before looping back across the meadows. With grassy paths, small bridges, grazing cattle and peaceful riverside stretches, the Valley Trail offers a wonderfully varied and relaxing walk right on Sudbury’s doorstep.

Easy Access Trail

The Valley Trail is a wide, compacted path making it suitable all year road. The Easy Access Route is an out and back following part of the former Great Eastern Railway, a line that once linked Colchester with Bury St Edmunds.

Easy Going Trail

The Easy Going Trail starts along the Easy Access Route and then at Brundon Mill it loops back to the start via Sudbury Meadows. This route is more adventurous but simply lovely, along grassy paths, over small bridges (some with a step) through a number of large kissing gates and past grazing cattle. This route is not suitable for wheelchairs.