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Arger Fen is split in two by an old
earth bank which is the parish boundary. To the east was Wiston Prestney
Grove, in the Middle ages this was used as arable and pasture land. After
the Black death in 1348/9 the farmland was abandoned and regenerated to
forest.
In Medieval times tenants collected firewood and workmen dug out clay
in the woods. Remnants of these pits can still be seen. The clay was used
to line the timber-framed houses of that period, timber was also felled
for housing.
You will se plenty of these pits, ponds and dells as well as some evidence
of a brick making facility.
The parish boundary between Assington and Bures runs through the centre
of this wood.
In the 1960s, the Forestry Commission
planted conifer trees, such as Corsican Pine.
Unfortunately, these killed off the natural undergrowth and left a dense
layer of dry dead conifer matting. These are gradually being harvested
and replaced with broad leafed trees. This is now allowing the wild plants
to return.
Visit the wood on a July evening and
you will most probably see Glow Worms. Throughout the summer, butterflies
in large numbers are attracted by the wild flowers.
Arger Fen`s birdlife include the Goldcrest, Nuthatch, Treecreeper and
Woodcock. Other occasional visitors include the Grasshopper Warbler, Nightingale
and Hawfinch.
Location:-Ordnance
Survey map reference TL930353
Walks: 1 mile or circular walk
2½ miles
Conditions: Woodland and field
edge paths, pasture and road, 3 stiles
Access: This site is not suitable for wheelchair
access.
Managed by:- Suffolk County Council.(www.suffolkcc.gov.uk)
Car Parking: Gravel area beside roadway.
Non secure area. Lock Cars.
How to get there:-
By Road: Take the Nayland Rd out of Bures,
into the open countryside. At crossroads turn left, signposted `Church
Seeds Store`. Smallbridge Hall
is down the road to the right 500m
By Foot/Car: Starting point:- village car
park opposite the school in Nayland Rd.
Turn right towards Nayland heading for the open countryside. After approx.
0.5m, on the edge of the village turn left up Claypits Ave heading up
the gentle slope until it turns into a farm track. Follow this track up
a very steep incline. At the top where it crosses a lane bear left for
100yds until you meet the Bures - Assington Rd. Turn right into Fysh House
Farm entrance and continue along the track into open countryside. From
this vantage point, you will get a wonderful view of the Stour Valley.
At the end of the lane it turns sharp right for
St Stephens Chapel.
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The Arger Fen track continues
straight ahead on the footpath down the slope to the Water Meadows.
The photo on left shows the water meadows to the bottom of path
and the Arger Fen wood on the horizon.
While you are crossing the meadow
look to your right to a man made lagoon which is the home to a variety
of birds such as swans, geese, ducks etc.
Across the meadows to the next
stile, then either:- |
(a) Turn left and follow track to
Moat House Farm. Now follow the footpath beside Assington Brook all
the way for approx. 1mile. This will bring you out on the Arger Fen
Rd adjacent to the ford.
Turn right over the ford and up the hill to Arger Fen, approx 0.5m
(b) Go directly up the hill across field, very steep incline. (Yes,
this is very steep, you need to be fit)
This will bring you on the southern approach road, adjacent to riding
stables and Overhall Farm.
Turn left for the Arger Fen entrance approx 0.6m
On the journey back, you can obviously
return by the alternative route. It is far easier to use route (a) towards
Arger Fen and return via route (b). That way, you will have a leisurely
walk down the steep path over the fields.
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Entrance to
Wood
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Notice Board
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Butterflies can be
seen along the main path on sunny summer days and a variety of birds
and small mammals frequent the woods throughout the year.
Look out for the
woodpeckers, wrens and goldcrests among the trees.
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Ford across the
access road, leading to Arger Fen
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Late Spring,
the wood turns into a sea of colour as bluebells carpet the entire
area. The scent is quite pronounced and the view magnificent.
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Follow the seasons
by watching the changes in the wild cherry trees.
In the spring the trees
are dusted with white blossom, with their leaves turning to red
and yellow with the arrival of autumn. On a good year the trees
are laden with berries which is ideal food for the birds.
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In drier parts
of the wood there are hazel, ash and oak trees and elsewhere, wild
cherry trees and some rarer small-leaved lime trees. At the bottom
of the valley where the soil is wetter and marshy, wild garlic grows
in the shade of willow and alder trees.
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| Historical
Information
The name Arger Fen has possibly
two derivations:-
(a) "Arger or Agger" meaning earth rampart or bank, possibly
roman, earthwork, a mound or raised work.
(b) "Arger" came from the Old English word for Hanging
wood.
(c)"Fen" meaning boggy, wet, marshland.
Top
left of the map, from Gt Waldingfield there is a roman road running south through
Newton.
If you project this road (blue line) it runs directly through Arger
Fen.
Project this line even further
south into Essex and the road terminates at the roman earth works
(Tumulus) at Lexden, Colchester.
Project this line northwards and it terminates at Bury
St Edmunds.
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Acknowledgement to Suffolk
County Council, Countryside Service for the text.
Suffolk County Council Web site see:- www.suffolkcc.gov.uk/e-and-t/countryside
Photos by Alan Beales.
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