A reader has proposed an alternative route from Diss to Hoxne, as follows: Palgrave – The Marsh – Thrandeston – Brome – Brome Street – Oakley House – the ruins of Oakley Park. It makes some sense as it avoids a short stretch of sometimes busy B-road west of Hoxne, though it is a little longer. Note that the route through Oakley Park follows a footpath, and there may be stiles or rough patches. If you do take this alternative route, do let me know how you get on. -Jack
Map (zoom in for more detail)
Download file for GPSDirections and GPX
Route directions PDF (right click to download)
GPX file (right click to download)
I did this route over 2 days as a figure of 8, taking the southern section of the route to Bungay first (a proper independent rural town and a great place to stop for lunch) which I found hillier than expected but manageable. The route from Bungay back to Diss via Harleston is very nice, and follows the river closely if you fancy a dip.
I had hoped to wild camp along the way but found access to the river quite controlled and the landscape very managed with not so many opportunities to pitch a tent unseen. Instead, I opted for the lovely campsite at Scole called the Willows. The owners were very welcoming to bikes, and I asked for a remote pitch away from families and was given a huge field to myself – pitched my tent on the banks of the river under the willow trees, and watched swallows diving and rabbits all evening. The site had a friendly, quiet, family atmosphere, spotless toilet and shower facilities and washing up point (Fairy liquid and scrubbing brushes provided!) There was a village shop and pub 5 minutes walk away in Scole.
http://www.ukcampsite.co.uk/sites/reviews.asp?revid=2362
The Eye loop of the ride is easy and well worth taking your time over – you can stop off where King Edmund the Martyr was supposedly slain, and the castle in Eye itself is worth climbing up if only for the view and the pictograms detailing the history of the village. The church and adjoining timber hall opposite are noteworthy buildings worth exploring.
If you have time to kill before your train from Diss use the shared use cycle path to get in to the town centre itself – there’s a bakers by Diss duck pond where you can get cake, feed the ducks and think about your adventure.
All in all a lovely bike ride! Here’s some photos from the ride to give you a taster:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/ibikelondon/sets/72157635416848827/
Nice review, and great photos – but I think you do The Mere a diss-service (geddit?) by referring to it as a “duck pond” …. http://www.disscouncil.com/mere.php
Such a great ride. Drove up from London to explore the scenery and was not disappointed. It was a bit of a challenge on my single gear as I hadn’t done a big ride like this in a while. Would highly recommend it. Can’t wait to take on the other lost lanes.
If you do the alternative stretch to Hoxne, at Oakley you make a right turn at a large white house down a road that says something like “Private no through road”. Google maps says you can go up Dross Lane so we went to do this only to be faced by a livid farmer in the farm yard. He said everything past the sign is private and was very angry. We later checked and there is a public right of way that you take by going straight on when you reach the farm yard instead of turning left into the farm. I presume this is what we should have done to cut out the B road approach to Hoxne.
I did as per the Gpx, which was easy to follow. I did over 2 days as I wanted to test my camping gear before a longer trip. I stayed nr Weybread, on the cycle route: https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsites/uk/suffolk/harleston/orchardcottage/
Way nicer than the dull photo suggests, there was a bit round the back where you couldn’t really get a campervan, so pleasant for a tent, enclosed by trees, max 5 pitches on site. I was the only one there mid-week July and I was told to help myself to raspberries, and a shed with useful info and books to borrow. £8 for 1 person and her tent, but you do have to be a member of the CCC. Helpful owner.
I got to Bungay before the good eateries were open, so got a sandwich from the “Premier” convenience store, big mistake the worst filled baguette I’ve ever eaten, avoid. The better eateries open at 10am.
Scenic ride. Stopped for lunch in main square. The Angel Inn no longer there. I aimed for the castle and followed the road out of Bungay. NB, at (22.3.miles) turn left then right.