Outdoor pursuits
There are a number of footpaths around Bildeston village, taking you on walks through beautiful scenery and leading to neighbouring villages. Bildeston also has its own cycling, football and running clubs.
Walking
Keep an eye out for the footpath signs dotted around the village or visit the Ordnance Survey Get Outside website to launch their online OS maps which detail footpaths, bridleways, cycle tracks and rights of way in this area. You can also walk to Bildeston’s very own Nature Reserve, the King’s Pightle from Market Place, by walking in a northerly direction along High Street towards Hitcham for about half a mile. As you exit the village you will see a footpath sign on the left, follow the signs and marker posts to Bildeston sports field. After you cross the foot bridge to enter the sports field turn immediately right. Follow the river bank to the end of the field until you reach a small bridge and access to Kings Pightle becomes obvious.
Cycling, football and running
Bildeston also has its own cycling, football and running clubs. Find out more below:
Allotments
Gardening is beneficial for both physical and mental well-being. Why not try growing your own vegetables?
Bildeston has 34 allotments on the edge of the village, with a variety of plot sizes available, with annual rents varying from £21.50 to £27.50 (including payment to cover the use of water). There is a small committee, responsible for the day-to-day management of the allotments, and we collect and pay an annual collective rent for the land to the landowner. We advertise the vacant plots in the Bugle.
For further information contact Robin Weaver, 01449 741048, or Ashley Hubbard, 01449 740633.
The allotments are accessed via a footpath, there are no car parking facilities.
Bildeston Community Cycling
Bildeston Community Cycling was formed in early 2009 and has been successful in getting more people in Bildeston out riding bikes.
Starting soon after the clocks go forward in April, a series of rides are held on Tuesday evenings, starting from the Market Place at 6.45pm, and usually finishing by 8.15pm. Rides continue throughout the summer, until the evenings get too dark at the end of August. The intention is to cater for riders of all abilities; distances and speeds take that into account. No-one is left behind, and walking on hills is allowed.
About 18 rides are held over the summer, with an average of 6-10 riders. The rides use quiet lanes wherever possible – we’ve found several new ones! The year starts with two rider groups, one doing 7 or 8 miles, the other doing 14 or 15 miles.
There is also a 25 mile Challenge ride, with a mid-way cafe stop, from the Sportsfield, held in July, which is organised in conjunction with Cycle Club Sudbury, who organise other rides on the same day.
Monthly 25 mile Saturday morning Winter Warmer rides, are held through the winter from October to March or April; these leave the Market Place at 9.30am, returning about 12.30pm – a cafe stop is always included.
For details of any of these rides, please see the advertisements in The Bugle.
If you used to cycle, or want to start, why not join us this year? If you need any further information contact Robin Weaver, 01449 741048, or e-mail .
If you’re looking for cycle routes with a range of distances starting from Bildeston, there are a number available on a free website, www.ridewithgps.com. Click on the ‘Find’ button, then enter ‘Bildeston’ in the location box.
Bildeston Rangers
Bildeston Rangers Football Club is a local team that has a First team playing in the Touchline Suffolk & Ipswich League. The Club plays at the Sports Field in Bildeston on Consent Lane.
Find out more on the Bildeston Rangers Facebook page.
Bildeston Running Club
Small friendly, mainly road running club based around the village of Bildeston, Suffolk. Particularly suited to beginners and those running for fun and fitness.
For more information please see the Good Run Guide website.
Local tourist information
Local tourist information centres:
- Flatford
tel 01206 299460 - Lavenham
tel 01787 248207 - Sudbury
tel 01787 881320