Orienteering Maps in Suffolk

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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, Spring 2009

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. The area is suitable for colour coded events, up to and including long brown courses.

Re-mapping for the EAL event in 2009 is now complete.

• Kenton & Goose Hills  TM454 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

• Knettishall Heath,  TL 956 806, Scale 1:10000, Autumn 2007

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, Winter 2009

  A vast Forestry Commission coniferous plantation to NW of Bury St Edmunds, originally mapped more than 20 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.

  Further revision and expansion is being prepared for our badge event in 2010

• 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, TM 345 503, Scale 1:10,000, Winter 2009

  Northern part of Rendlesham Forest . An area of coniferous blocks of various ages either side of a small, 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, centred round the valley of the Tang. The size of the area (about 6 sq km), point feature detail and variety and increasing runnability of vegetation makes the area suited to District events. A permanent course has been set up 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 an ancient rabbit warren.

• 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 Badge Events.

Currently developed into 3 maps

• Barnes Carr & The Birches,  TM 399 528, Scale 1:10,000, Spring 2006

  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 that 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 District 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, Autumn 2010

  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.

  Mapping for the EAL event in 2010 has commenced

• Belstead Valley , TM 140 410, Scale 1:10,000, Autumn 2008

  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 1:10,000, Spring 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 . Extend Belstead Valley map.

  Being mapped for a Summer series event in 2010.

• Bramford Meadows, TM 128 465, Scale 1:7,500, Summer 2008

A combination of the paths over the water meadows alongside the River Gipping west of Ipswich and a small but very complex (and steep) piece of woodland. The area is often flooded in winter.

• Chantry Park , TM 139 442, Scale 1:5,000, Winter 2008

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.

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

  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.

• Foxhall Woods , TM 218 446, Scale 1:5,000

  Private birch and holly woodlands at the head of the Mill river, surrounding the Foxhall speedway stadium, east of Ipswich.

  Being re mapped for Summer series event in 2010, with extension to west edge of Rushmere Heath.

• Hardwick Heath TL 855 628, Scale 1:4,000, Spring 2009

  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.

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

  Area of mixed woodland and open parkland on private estate between Bury and Stowmarket . It has a wealth of detail and an excellent path network. Previously unused by mainstream orienteering.

  Being mapped for the YBT qualifying event in 2010.

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

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

• Nowton Park, TL 865 622, Scale 1:6,000, Spring 2006

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

• Martlesham Heath, TM 244 452, Scale 1:10,000, Winter 2009

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

• Needham Lake TM 094 546 , Scale 1:6,000, Autumn 2009

Small country park centred on water filled gravel pit with nearby pastures and low chalk downland. Lots of paths and vegetation detail.

• Orwell Country Park, TM 187 408, Scale 1:10,000, Autumn 2007

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. Only suitable for introductory training (as used by local scout groups) or control-picking exercise.

• 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.

  Being re-mapped for a Summer series event in 2010.

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

  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 use)
• Boxford Spinney - West of Hadleigh. Scale 1:1500, 2000 (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)
• Royal Hospital School - Holbrook. Scale 1:5000, 2006 (for private school use)
• Woolverstone Hall - on south bank of River Orwell. Scale 1:5000,1997 (for private school use)

Suffolk County Council

The Suffolk County Council Education Department has mapped the majority of its parkland areas. Since the majority of these maps cover small or largely open areas, they are most suited to local events or for training purposes.

• Aspal Close, Mildenhall. Scale 1:4000, 1997
• Beccles Common. Scale 1:5000, 1990
• Gunton and Corton Denes, TM 550 960. Scale 1:5000, 1992
• Santon Downham SW, Scale 1:7500 1990
• The Grove, Felixstowe. Scale 1:5000, 1990

A large number of school sites (about 90) were also been mapped by club members for the council between 1997 and 2000. More recently in 2009 about a dozen state schools (mainly in the Bury area) have been mapped with a further 9 in the West Ipswich area under consideration.

EAOA Maps

The following map was produced by the East Anglian Orienteering Association. The map has been used for events by a number of clubs in the association. It is has recently been re-mapped by our neighbours, SOS

• Brandon. TL 785 853, Scale 1:15000

Other EAOA Clubs

Many of the other clubs in the East Anglian region have mapped areas in Suffolk (though not all the mapped areas may be within the county).

• Mildenhall Woods                       WAOC
• Bush Heath Woods, Mildenhall    CUOC
• High Lodge Warren, Brandon     WAOC
• 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.
• 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.
• Bridge Wood (Orwell Country Park), Ipswich. Maps available from Suffolk County Council Education Department or the Park Ranger Service at Holywells Park. 20p
• Rendlesham Forest, Woodbridge. Maps £1.50 available from the Forest Centre (recently updated to take advantage of the Tangham 2007 map)

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Last Updated: 26 April, 2010