Course Detail

21/10/2026

Shepherd's Cottage, Staverton

BR:EA-AutumnWalk2026

Gary Battell

4 hours

Course Objectives:

Staverton Park and The Thicks is an Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Nature Conservation Review site (Grade I) and a Special Area of Conservation. It is in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Oliver Rackham once described the place as:

‘a famous and awesome place of Tolkienesque wonder and beauty’, and ‘one of the best-preserved uncompartmented medieval parks’. (The History of the Countryside, 1986)

The walk will be hosted by Gary Battell, who was Suffolk County Council’s Woodland Advisor until his retirement. Gary has supported the management of Staverton Park over decades.

Course Content:

Programme:

0945 - 1000      Meet for 10am start

1000 - 1230     Morning Walk

1230  - 1330     Lunch

1330 - 1500     Shorter afternoon walk

Module Pre-requisites:

Booking:
This event is open to both Members and Non-Members


Refreshments and Lunch:
Please bring your own lunch and refreshments.


Dress code:
For biosecurity reasons, attendees should arrive in clean, sturdy footwear, and will be asked to disinfect their boots before entering the park. 
As the visit is in October, parts of the route may pass through bracken and other vegetation, so suitable outdoor clothing and stout footwear are advisable.

Dogs:
Dogs cannot be permitted on the visit.

Venue and Parking:
Shepherd's Cottage, Staverton.
Closest postcode: IP12 3PQ
What3Words: ///join.influence.bulge
Further directions will be provided in your joining Instructions.

Parking is available on site.  The group will meet in the car park area.