Orienteering Maps in Suffolk

In what is essentially a farming county Suffolk OC has assembled an excellent catalogue of mapped areas. Below is a list of the maps currently maintained by the club:

Main Event Areas:

• Ickworth Park,  TL 816 614, Scale 1:10000, Winter 2010

  Once the estate of the Marquis of Bristol, this large National Trust property SW of Bury St Edmunds combines open parkland with several sizeable blocks of runnable mixed woodland. Unusually for Suffolk maps it also has some water features. An enlarged map of Albana Woods has also been produced.

• Knettishall Heath,  TL 956 806, Scale 1:10000, Winter 2009

  Interesting variety of runnable mixed woodland and open heathlands sloping down to the River Ouse between Diss and Thetford. There is plenty of vegetation detail, point features and a good path network. One of the club's longest standing and most popular areas and has staged many colour-coded events

• The King's Forest, TL 826 735, Scale 1:10,000, Autumn 2011

  A vast Forestry Commission coniferous plantation to NW of Bury St Edmunds, originally mapped nearly 30 years ago in conjunction with CUOC. Typical East Anglia coniferous blocks dispersed with deciduous wind breaks, scattered with deep disused sand and marl pits. After a long period when access was denied an area about 8 sq km has been mapped anew. This gives a least three different areas that can be used to stage events, and we have hopes of opening up a fourth area east of the B1106 in the future.

• Rendlesham Forest,  TM 353 484, Scale 1:15000

  A very large (11 square km) Forestry Commission owned coniferous plantation East of Woodbridge. The area includes Tangham, the club's very first “re-drawn” map. Whilst generally flat, contrast is provided by variations in the runnability of the forest blocks and by two valleys that cut into the area. It is capable of supporting Regional events.

  Currently developed into two maps

  • Daisy's Wood & 100 Acre Walks , TM 345 503, Scale 1:10,000, Autumn 2011

    North Western part of Rendlesham Forest . An area of coniferous and deciduous blocks of trees of various ages either side of a small, rather marshy valley. The map has now been extended to the younger conifer plantations south of the B1084 to allow easier design of longer courses.

  • Tangham, TM 354 484, Scale 1:10,000, Autumn 2008

    Southern part of Rendlesham, made famous by a UFO (Unidentified Flying Orienteer ?) visitation in 1980. An area of typical East Anglian forest with coniferous blocks of various ages on either side of the valley of The Tang. The size of the area, point feature detail and variety and increasing runnability of vegetation makes the area suited to most events. A permanent course has been set up and actively maintained in conjunction with the Forestry Commission.

• Shrubland Park,  TM 120 531, Scale 1:10000, 1999

  Private estate NW of Ipswich featuring long escarpment covered by working mixed woodland to north, some formal gardens in the centre and an area of open parkland to south. Good path network and contour features. Suitable for colour-coded events though a change in ownership has put future access in jeopardy.

• Sutton Common,  TM 306 476, Scale 1:10000, Autumn 2008

  Situated E of Woodbridge, the common combines a mixture of deciduous woodland to west and expanse of heather clad heath land to the east. Flat and at times very windswept though size (at its fullest extent) and landscape variations, has allowed it to stage Regional events in the past. It has an interesting ditch system used to prevent wartime invasion landing, and 2 ancient rabbit warrens.

• Tunstall Forest,  TM 390 536, Scale 1:10,000

  A large (11 square km) Forestry Commission coniferous plantation to NE of Woodbridge, which includes adjoining heath lands of Tunstall and Blaxhall Commons and some patches of mixed woodland. The forest was clear felled a few years after the original 5 colour map was produced in 1975 by EAOA / HAVOC members, but following phased replanting it has now reached a level of maturity suitable for the sport. Mainly flat but surprisingly physical, with a wealth of line and point features and a great variety of vegetation making it suitable for Cat B and Cat C Events.

  Currently developed into 3 maps

  • Barnes Carr & The Birches,  TM 399 528, Scale 1:10,000, Winter 2012

    The south-eastern part of the forest, which in common with the rest of Tunstall, it has good variation of vegetation and plenty of point features. The path network is denser than the northern end of the forest (including an area used for motor cycle scrambling) and it has water features not found elsewhere in Tunstall.

  • Blaxhall,  TM 391 549, Scale 1:10,000, Winter 2005

    The northern part of the forest which includes the adjoining heath lands of Tunstall and Blaxhall Commons , along with some patches of mixed woodland. Limited contour detail but with a wealth of line and point features and a great variety of vegetation making it very suitable for most Events.

  • Chillesford,  TM 390 536, Scale 1:15,000, Summer 2005

    Long, but rather narrow south-western parts of the forest. Clear felled in the early nineties and now has sufficient re-growth to be mapped and used for an adventure race (when joined to other parts of Tunstall).

• West Harling Heath,  TL 962 835, Scale 1:10,000, Winter 2011

  A large, rather flat, mixed conifer / hardwood plantation running south from the River Thet. It has several tumuli and chalk pits, lots of holly trees and is one the largest forests never used in East Anglia previously. The area is actually just in Norfolk and NOR have kindly allowed us mapping rights. After its successful first use in 2010 the map has been extended eastwards in to similar terrain to total 8 sq kms.

Training, Schools League & Summer Series Event Areas:

• Alton Water, TM 139 364, Scale 1:7,500, Winter 2011

  A narrow strip of woodland and open grass land along the southern shore of Alton Water, a reservoir between Ipswich and Manningtree. It contains sufficient paths and detail for a summer evening event

• Belstead Valley, TM 140 410, Scale 1:7,500, Winter 2012

  A combination of Belstead Country Park , Bourne Park, small patches of wood and marshland and adjoining footpaths around arable land to give a long but rather narrow training area along the line of Belstead Brook to the south of Ipswich . Adjoins the Bourne Park map.

• Bourne Park, TM 151 420, Scale 1:5,000, Summer 2010

  An area of formal parkland with adjoining footpaths to patches of woodland and marsh along east end of Belstead Brook to the south of Ipswich. Adjoins to the Belstead Valley map.

• Bramford, TM 128 465, Scale 1:7,500, Summer 2011

  A combination of the paths over the water meadows alongside the River Gipping west of Ipswich, a small but very complex (and steep) piece of woodland and the paths and streets of Bramford village.

• Broome Hill & The Dales, TM 154 459, Scale 1:5,000, Spring 2011

  A small piece of open parkland in the centre of Ipswich, linked through a housing estate rather complex but somewhat overgrown old brick quarry.

• Chantry & Gippeswyk, TM 139 442, Scale 1:7,500, Winter 2011

  A large municipal park in grounds of old estate on western edge of Ipswich, with a mixture of parkland with mature trees, formal gardens and woodland with much vegetation detail. Recently extend to a smaller, but well-contoured park on the other side of the A12.

• Christchurch Park,  TM 165 448, Scale 1:5,000, Summer 2009

  Municipal park in centre of Ipswich, with a mixture of parkland with mature trees, formal gardens and an arboretum with trees planted by each mayor of the town, going back to Victorian times.

• Eye,  TM 145 739, Scale 1:4,000, Winter 2010

  Urban map of a small market town, containing a couple of patches of well featured woodland and a steep climb up the old castle motte.

• Finborough,  TM 015 581, Scale 1:4,000, Winter 2010

  The private grounds of a school, connected via paths over a golf course to a small patch of very runnable woodland.

• Foxhall Woods & Rushmere Heath, TM 218 446, Scale 1:7,500 Winter 2012

  Private birch and holly woodlands at the head of the Mill river, surrounding the speedway stadium, east of Ipswich. Very intricate path network and plenty of point feaures. The area has been extended through part of the Bixley Farm housing estate to take the eastern fringes of Rushmere Heath. This area mixes oak woodland and gorse/grass heathland and also includes a couple of golf fairways.

• Hardwick Heath,  TL 855 628, Scale 1:4,000, Spring 2010

  Modest sized park and attached scout camp ground SE of Bury St Edmunds comprising of deciduous woodlands and areas of grass. Dotted with several ponds and other point features. The map has now been extended to include the complex urban geography of the Nowton estate.

• Haughley Park,  TM 004 624, Scale 1:6,000, Autumn 2010

  Area of mixed woodland and open parkland on private estate between Bury St Edmunds and Stowmarket. It has a wealth of detail (including water features) and an excellent path network.

• Holywells & Landseer,  TM 176 435, Scale 1:5,000 Summer 2009

  Municipal park and public open space in centre of Ipwich, with a mixture of parkland with mature trees, a wooded scarp slope, and large, undulating grassy areas. Lots of paths and point features.

• Kenton & Goose Hills,  TM 454 637, Scale 1:75000, Spring 2009

  A long, low scarp covered with coniferous woodlands of various ages lying behind (and owned by) Sizewell Power Station. Just large enough and with sufficient detail to support a modest colour-coded event. A POC created by the county council some 20 years ago is still mainly intact and usable.

• Martlesham Heath,  TM 244 452, Scale 1:7,500, Summer 2010

  An area of heathland and woods around the “new” village of Martlesham Heath . It has serveral brown features dating from the area's use as a military airfield and many paths ducking in and out of the mini-housing estates.

• Needham Market,  TM 094 546, Scale 1:6,000, Winter 2011

  Small country park centred on a water filled gravel pit with nearby pastures, low chalk downland and streets east of the town High Street. Lots of paths and vegetation detail.

• Nowton Park,  TL 865 622, Scale 1:6,000, Spring 2009

  Large park SE of Bury St Edmunds comprising of deciduous woodlands and areas of grass. Dotted with several ponds and other point features.

• Orwell Country Park,  TM 186 405, Scale 1:10,000, Winter 2010

  Attractive council managed country park covering three patches of mixed woodland (Bridge Wood, Brazier’s Wood and Piper’s Vale) on slopes leading down to the River Orwell, SE of Ipswich. Lots of contour and vegetation detail, and opportunities to run along the foreshore – tide permitting

• Purdis Heath,  TM 213 422, Scale 1:5,000, Summer 2008

  Tiny patch of heather and gorse heathland east of Ipswich with many pits and trenches from last war.

• Rushmere Heath,  TM 198 451, Scale 1:5,000, Summer 2008

  An area of gorse heathland and scattered woodland on the eastern outskirts of Ipswich . It is open-access common land and has previously been farmland, a drill area for the army and a decoy target for Nazi bombers. As a golf course uses parts of the heath it is only really suitable for training exercises.

• Sudbury Meadows,  TL 869 413, Scale 1:5,000, Spring 2010

  An area of low-lying meadows used for grazing cattle alongside the River Stour, some patches of woodland, many water features and cow pats. Previously mapped by Suffolk County Council, and has POC markers. The area is shared with SOS.

• West Stow Country Park,  TL 800 714, Scale 1:7,500, Summer 2008

  Situated NW of Bury Sr Edmunds. It is a narrow area of mixed woodland and open heathland along the northen bank of the River Lark, containing also a re-contruction of an Anglo-Saxon village (all thatched huts and battle axes) and modern tea rooms (cakes and clean toilets). It has previously supported a permanent O course.

The following maps have also been produced by SuffOC in the past, but now require updating:

• Bentley and Dodnash Woods 1983 - working mixed woodlands S of Ipswich
• Holbrook Gardens, S of Ipswich, 1980 - small working woodland S of Ipswich.

The club also has a number of maps produced for training purposes, or use by private organisations

• Barnardiston Hall - Haverhill; Scale 1:2,500, 2009 (for private school)
• Beccles Common; Scale 1:5,000 2011 (for Ashley school - Lowestoft - has POC)
• Boxford Spinney - West of Hadleigh; Scale 1:1500, 2003 (for scout group use)
• Brettenham Park - East of Lavenham; Scale 1:4000, 2007 (for private school use)
• Brookhill Woods - East of Ipswich; Scale 1:5000, 2000 (access now limited to public footpaths)
• Gunton Denes - Lowestoft; Scale 1:5,000, 2011 (for Ashley school - Lowestoft - has POC)
• Hallowtree - beside Bridge Wood; Scale 1:2500, 2010 (for scout group / Stoke Park HS)
• Herringfleet - Lowestoft; Scale 1:2,000, 2009 (for scout group)
• Herringfleet Hills - Lowestoft; Scale 1:3,000; 2011 (for Ashley school - Lowestoft)
• Holly Grove, Benacre; Scale 1:4,000, 2011 (private estate / Natural England)
• Nicholas Everitt Park - Lowestoft; Scale 1:2,500, 2009 (for scout group)
• Normanston Park, Lowestoft; Scale 1:2,500, 2009 (for scout group)
• Rock Barracks - Woodbridge; Scale 1:5,000, 2010 (for BAOC)
• Royal Hospital School - Holbrook; Scale 1:5000, 2006 (for private school)
• Sparrow’s Nest - Lowestoft; Scale 1:5,000, 2011 (for Ashley school - Lowestoft)
• Walberswick Common; Scale 1:5,000, 2011 (for Natural England)
• Walberswick National Nature Reserve; Scale 1:5000, 2011 (for Natural England - 3 maps for schools)
• Woolverstone Hall - on south bank of River Orwell; Scale 1:5000, 1997 (for private school use)

A large number of school sites (about 90) were mapped by club members for the county council education department between 1997 and 2000. More recently (2010) over 100 schools have been mapped by the club and a couple of professional teams in the Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, Lowestoft and High Suffolk areas. The latter often incorporate village greens, common land or local parks, where possible.

Suffolk County Council

In the 1990s Suffolk County Council Education Department sponsored the mapping of many of its parkland areas. Since most of these maps cover small or largely open areas, they were mainly suited to local events or for training purposes.

• Aspal Close, Mildenhall. Scale 1:4000, 1997
• Santon Downham SW, Scale 1:7500 1990
• The Grove, Felixstowe. Scale 1:5000, 1990

EAOA and other EA Club Maps

The following map was produced by the East Anglian Orienteering Association or one of the other clubs in the East Anglian region on land wholly or at least partially within the county of Suffolk.

• Barnham Camp                           RAFO
• Brandon Park                             EAOA
• Bush Heath Woods, Mildenhall    CUOC
• High Lodge Warren, Brandon     WAOC
• Mildenhall Woods                       WAOC
• RAF Honnington                         RAFO
• Risbeth, Thetford                        WAOC
• Santon Downham, Brandon         CUOC
• Croxton Heath, Thetford             WAOC
• Hockham, Thetford                     NOR
• Waveney Forest, Lowestoft        NOR

Refer to the home pages of the individual clubs for further details.

Permanent Orienteering Courses

Permanent course maps have the controls preprinted. Controls are permanent posts or plaques. The following permanent courses are available.

• Brandon Country Park. A new Permanant course has now been completed. Maps £2 available from the visitors centre.
• Bridge Wood (Orwell Country Park), Ipswich. Maps available from Suffolk County Council Education Department or the Park Ranger Service at Holywells Park. 20p
• Needham Lake, Needham Market. Mapped on behalf of Mid-Suffolk District Council
• Rendlesham Forest, Woodbridge. Maps £1.50 available from the Forest Centre (recently updated to take advantage of the Tangham 2007 map)
• Thetford Forest - High Lodge. A new Permanant Course has now been established. Maps £1.50 from High Lodge Forest Centre. Note: there is a forest road toll for all vehicles entering the forest.

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Last Updated: 22 November, 2011