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Arger Fen
TL930355 (1*) Suitable for All
Sent in by David Cushing (10/02/2004)

'Pretty country ford with footbridge, depth gauge and warning signs. Hard cobbled bottom about 6" deep and 8' wide.'





Benhall Green
TM386610 (2*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Dean Hendricks (16/01/2005)

'As we have had no appreciable rainfall for quite some time it is just the usual couple of inches deep. However I have seen it over the headlights of a Hi-Lux back in October 1987 after the 'hurricane' (I know this because I was in the passenger seat!). I also heard that a car got swept off recently but am unable to confirm. Concrete base, very slippery and on a sharp corner: My oldest boy came off his moped right in the middle of it about a year ago! Accessible most of the time to all.'





Brandeston
TM250601 (2*) Restricted Access
Sent in by Graham Hardy (04/08/2005)

'On good track/bridleway south of Brandeston and at least 9 inches deep.'





Bruisyard
TM323663 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by Graham Hardy (04/08/2005)

'An Irish bridge between the Church and the Winery with wooden footbridge and pristine depthgauge'







Burstall Hill (x2!)

TM085458 (1*) Suitable for All
TM083463 (2*) Suitable for All
Sent in by David Cushing (10/02/2004)

'The first is more of a water splash on small back road and is nothing to write home about. The second is about 10' across but only 2 inches deep, usual footbridge and depth gauge.'





Coddenham
TM132542 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by Kevin Miller (03/06/2007)

'Irish bridge with concrete base - not signed as far as I could see. '







Cookley (x2!)

TM358750 (1*) Suitable for All
TM347752 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by Graham Hardy (17/06/2005)

'The first has Ford signs, a footbridge and a six foot depth gauge. But no depth at when I visited (Image 1)!

The second is that most rare combination of cattle-grid and ford, the handrail of the associated footbridge can just be seen to the right (Image 2)'





Cross Green
TL897558 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by Adam Abel (10/02/2004)













Debenham (x2!)

TM174633 (3*) Suitable for All
TM162635 (5*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Tony Hutt (April 2001)

Two outstanding fords in Debenham, the second of which claims to be the longest in the UK (Images 2,3,4). It is going to be close, but it will be either here or Furneux Pelham. www.debenham.co.uk
Additional info from Michael Roots
'Priory Lane was a disappointing bare trickle of water on my visit. For the long ford, the road from Debenham is signposted "No through road". Ford is tarred for its whole length, which is about half a mile. Only an inch or two of water in it. There is a road that joins the ford about half way along. One or two large bumps at end of ford away from Debenham.'





Edwardstone
TL937420 (2*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by Graham Hardy (31/07/2005)

'Not obviously private but suspect that the track would become so as it nears Park Farm, so suggest you return though the ford.'





Eye
TM157737 (1*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in By John Walton (23/02/2013)

Here is the byway ford on Rapsy Tapsy Lane at Eye. Nice steep sloping concrete entry into the ford from both sides and an impressive wooden footbridge.





Finningham
TM056687 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by Graham Hardy (26/10/2005)

'Irish Bridge on Ladywell Road.'





Great Ashfield
TL995677 (1*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Kevin Miller (18/03/2007)

'This ford is at the top of the private road that leads to the All Saints Church car park + Hall Farm - just off the main road through the village. There is a separate footbridge. As a point of interest in the adjoining church-yard there is a memorial to aircrews from the nearby WWII airfield used by the USAF 385th Heavy Bombardment Group. '





Great Bradley
TL669538 (1*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Kevin Miller (20/12/2003)

'The tarmac road ends at the ford + becomes a track which the Newmarket Cycle Way follows. Has a separate wooden footbridge and the ford has a gravel base.'

www.geograph.co.uk





Great Thurlow
TL680503 (2*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by Kevin Miller (20/12/2003)

'The bridge over the River Stour has a 6 ton weight limit but the ford is only for the brave! Nothing has been through it for ages (except for horses) and the river here has a good flow and, according to the depth gauge, was over 2 feet deep (which I could well believe) plus you'd sink into the muddy river bed. The ramps in + out are also heavy mud.'









Great Wratting
TL691484 (3*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by Kevin Miller (Image 1: 20/12/2003), David Wilson (Image 2: 18/06/2009) and Richard Laycock (28/04/2016)

'The River Stour has a strong flow here as the ford forms the top of a weir; the concrete top looks quite narrrow - wide tractors would struggle. Weight limit on the bridge adjacent is just 3 tons so this ford looks fairly well used. Has 2 depth gauges with strange graduations - 6 inch markings possibly?'

'The bridge next to the ford was completely reconstructed in winter 2013 (Image 3). As far as the unusual depth marker gauges which local people said were Victorian - only one was there in the weeks before works commenced and a second disappeared the weekend before we started – there were rumours it was taken by a local resident who was about to move away from the village! Nonetheless they were replaced as part of the bridge scheme with modern and controversially large signs!'





Gromford
TM382588 (1*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by Graham Hardy (04/08/2005)

'The road leading west from the crossroads in Gromford becomes a track and then heads south to the ford and gets a little muddy. The ford itself is clear-flowing however and less than 6 inches deep. I did not investigate access from the West.'







Grundisburgh (x2!)

TM223509 (2*) Restricted Access
TM224510 (2*) Restricted Access
Sent in by Richard Collins (09/08/2003) and David Cushing (02/08/2004)

'It is a small concrete bottomed water splash set behind the village green and is easy to find, at this time of year it was only a few inches deep and about the length of a toyota hilux Surf with the tailgate down, but after some rain it will rise by at least 12 inches.

The second ford is picturesque, hard bottomed, shallow ford on by-road across the village green, often frequented by ducks and picnickers.'

SuffolkCam





Haughley
TM040614 (2*) Restricted Access
Sent in by Duncan Briggs and Adrian Molloy (07/05/2004)

'Small ford on old lane. Access is up very a narrow tarmac track. Signposted "Dagworth only, Cul-de-sac". The Ford is a gravel bottomed stream crossing with a small step up to the tarmac on the far side. So although a car could probably get through OK, maybe best suited to 4x4s. The ford is within 2 miles of the main A14. Please note that this ford appears to be part of a private road over which there are no public vehicular rights.'
Additional info from Michael Roots
'There is a big drop (at least 6 - 8 inches) into the ford on the Old Newton side, which is a pity because ford itself only 4 to 6 inches deep and has a gentle slope out.'









Hawkedon (x2!)

TL795528 (1*) Irish Bridge
TL794521 (2*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Kevin Miller (Images 1: 25/01/2004), Richard Laycock (Image 2: 28/04/2016) and David Wilson (Image 3: 18/06/2009)

'The road south from Hawkedon village to Thurston End is marked by a 'Deep Ford' sign (Image 1). In fact there are two fords, and the '1/4 mile' on the sign refers misleadingly to the first and smaller one of the two. This is a rather disappointing Irish Bridge, which doesn't look as if the water often gets a chance to cover the road. There is a rather derelict footbridge half overgrown by vegetation...

...but persevere and half a mile further on there is a proper ford 5-10 cm deep on the River Glem which you come on very suddenly round a sharp corner. If you turn even more sharply there is a somewhat rickety bridge advertised as suitable for vehicles up to 2 tons. The ford itself has with a sound concrete base.'





Homeybridge
TL983378 (3*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by David Cushing (18/07/2003)

'This ford is on a green lane (Show on OS map as other route with public access.) Homey Bridge road is a typical of green lanes in this area. The ford itself is at one end of the lane, the other end is only navigable by 4x4's due to obstructions. It has a good quality gravelled flat bottom with concrete access ramps. Really only suitable for 4x4 because of the lane and lips on the entry exit ramps. About 2 car lengths long and about 8 inches deep. Nice setting with foot bridge across, somewhere to have a paddle in hot weather.'





Hunston
TL975685 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by Kevin Miller (14/03/2004)

'On the single track road to Langham this ford hasn't had water across it for some years (it would have to flow over that high grass verge for starters!). Its unsigned and has a separate vehicle bridge.'









Kersey (x2!)

TM000440 (2*) Suitable for All
TM011459 (3*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Adam Abel (10/02/2004) and David Cushing (10/02/2004)

'The first ford is in the centre of a picturesque village. Has footbridge, depth gauge and warning signs. Hard cobbled bottom about 6" deep and 10' wide. (Images 1 & 2)

The second ford is about 20’ across and about 1’ deep and fast flowing when I visited although it may be shallower in the summer months. Recommend caution if not in a 4x4. Hard concrete bottom with all the appropriate signs and footbridge.' (Image 3)

BeenThereDoneThat






Lavenham
TL918502 (3*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Adam Abel (10/02/2004)







Layham
TM033404 (1*) Restricted Access
Sent in by Graham Hardy (31/07/2005)

'According to the 1:25000 map Upper and Lower Layham are linked by a ford. On the ground the route to the ford from Lower Layham is impenetrable though the track can just be made out, honest. Perhaps it looks less dense in the Winter....'

'The description of the ford between Upper and Lower Layham looked very interesting, so I drove there to have a look. I'm not really sure if it counts as a ford now I've seen it though. Approaching from Upper Layham, I parked where Water Lane meets Mill Lane. This was because there's a sign to the left (where the river is) saying that this is private land, no entry, no turning etc. etc. I walked into the courtyard of the mill to find there's a footbridge across the water. On the other side we are now in Lower Layham, at the point in the photo on your website where the tarmac runs out and a green lane begins. Being April, the lane wasn't too overgrown so I wandered down it for a closer look. You could certainly get a 4x4 along there, but once you reach the river there's nowhere left to go. The river bed looks firm, with lots of pebbles, but the opposite bank has a steep slope leading onto somebody's posh-looking lawn. As this is the same property which displays the "no turning" signs in Upper Layham, I don't suppose they'd be too chuffed if they found someone churning up their grass trying to get out of the river.' Gareth Coe





Letheringham
TM278585 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by Michael Roots and Graham Hardy (02/08/2005)

'This is found close to Letheringham mill, quite a long one but normally bone dry. It is signposted as a ford. Grid refs between TM278585 and TM280583.'





Little Thurlow
TL679512 (1*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Kevin Miller (20/12/2003)

'This is a basic watersplash with a concrete base at the junction with Broad Road. Has a separate brick-built bridge for the footpath which looks fairly recent.'





Lodge Farm
TL811518 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by Graham Hardy (26/10/2005)

'Ill-defined Irish Bridge.'









Marlesford
TM322581 (3*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Michael Roots (04/08/2004)

'The ford can be about 50 yards long, but was dry today. At the Marlesford end is a bit of a dip, and the water was about an inch below the road surface here. Water carried under roadbed by an 8 inch pipe. usually just a splash here, but much longer after heavy rain.'

Images 2 and 3 sent in by Robin Beadle (20/02/2005)
'From Image 3 it seems to be deeper going one way than the other!'





Middleton Hall
TM287837 (1*) Restricted Access
Sent in by Graham Hardy (16/06/2005)

'Can't vouch for right of way!'





Middleton
TM425666 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by John Walton (19/10/2012)

Geograph Link





Mill Green
TL991566 (1*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by Graham Hardy (26/10/2005)

'On ORPA between Kiln Lane and Fasbourn Hall, 4WD only'







Moulton (x2!)

TL697645 (1*) Irish Bridge
TL697642 (2*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Kevin Miller (06/01/04)

'The first ford is down the hill (Bridge Street) to the River Kennett which runs under the Packhorse Bridge (which you can walk over) + the river normally runs under the ford as well (just visible on the right of the bridge). The ford has a concrete base + I've never seen water in it - the river does look fairly silted up.

The second ford is on Church Road + is a simple concrete-base water-splash with a bridge adjacent so its not entirely necessary to use the ford unless you're driving something big + heavy.'







North Cove
TM469888 (3*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Mike Millward (28/02/2006)

'South of North Cove off the A146, small byway leads off Brook Lane towards Mutford. Road dips through shallow valley after a few hundred yards and parallels a small brook, of at least it used to as the brook now uses the road as it's course (it is marked on the OS map) for about ten car lengths. It then runs next to a RUPP that heads towards Cottage Farm where there is a sharp hump-backed bridge over the brook on Brook Lane! Runs readily in wet weather, usually one side of the road but will very quickly reach a depth that will catch out a non-4X4 (I have had to tow several people out....). No signs or depth markers.'





Offton
TM067498 (3*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Graham Hardy (04/07/2005)

'The water crosses at the bend and then flows along the right hand side of the road for some 50 yards.'







Old Newton (x2!)

TM043623 (1*) Irish Bridge
TM058623 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by Graham Hardy (04/07/2005)

'The first ford is at the junction of Haugh Lane and Station Road (not that there's a station any longer) half a mile west of Old Newton. It's marked as a ford on the 1:25000 map and is an easily overlooked Irish Bridge; believe it or not there is an overgrown footbridge in front of the handrail shown in Image 1.

The second is an easily overlooked Irish Bridge and associated footbridge just below the Church (Image 2).'





Onehouse
TM031585 (2*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Andrew Morris (22/05/2004)

'This Ford is situated on a cut through road between two roads which go into Stowmarket. It has a concrete bottom and a foot-bridge next to it. At the moment it is about 6 inches deep (mid May), but when we've had a lot of rain i've seen it nearly 2 ft deep! This ford looks regularly used by the amount of water on the slopes either side of it'

Additional info from Michael Roots
'The ford has very steep approaches, about 1 in 3 for a few yards on either side, so it is no good taking a flying run at it, you will only stand car on its nose and give all the locals a good laugh! Only a couple of inches of water, and ok if approached slowly.'

Image mouseover sent in by Jane Napthan (13/04/2008)





Oulton Broad
TM520931 (2*) Tidal
Sent in by Mike Millward (17/12/2005)

'Runs along north side of Oulton Broad, which is tidal, parallel to the Lowestoft to Norwich railway line. For approx 200m, the road is concrete slab construction and acts as the north bank of the Broad and during high tides floods regularly at the western end of this section. A good high tide with northerly winds and rain will see the whole 200m under water, but this is rare. 'Road liable to flood' signs either side, no depth markers. The broads side of the road can flood to 1'+, the other about 6" and there is a dip in the road just before you leave the section, which nearly caught out a car the day I photo'd it (had water over the front of the bonnet!).'





Playford
TM212479 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by Graham Hardy (26/10/2005)

'Irish Bridge on Brook Lane with overgrown footbridge.'





Potters Bridge
TM509791 (1*) Tidal
Sent in by Mike Millward (14/05/2007)

'Odd one this, as the River Wren flows into Easton Broad which itself is separated from the sea by a single bank, so therefore high tides and rain readily push water clean across the road, even though the eastern side has concrete flood barriers. Concrete slab construction across marsh, marked both ends with unique (I believe) hinged 'Road Liable to Flood/FLOOD' signs and usually a couple of portable ones as well.'





Red Lodge
TL689700 (2*) Restricted Access
Sent in by Kevin Miller (24/09/2010)

'This ford is a farm track (with no public right of way) under the A11 at Red Lodge in Suffolk. The track joins the brook just before it runs under the road and then leaves it on the other side. A bridleway also goes under the same bridge but is raised up separate from the ford.'





Sapiston
TL918743 (3*) Off-Roaders Only!
Sent in by Andrew Morris (22/05/2004)

'Sapiston Ford is about 17ft across, approx. 1 ft deep in the middle, and issituated up a long narrow lane.'

There is now no exit to the ford so it does making driving it tricky (Robert Cracknell





South Cove
TM492810 (1*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Mike Millward (16/11/2008)

'Nice little watersplash caused by the road being lower than the River Wren and the bridge preceeding it, fed from drainage ditches either side of the road. Can get quite deep, if the river is in flood (usually floods when Potter's Bridge does).'





St Cross South Elmham
TM292840 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by Graham Hardy (16/06/2005)

'Its an Irish Bridge but the Ford sign is beyond it (though very little sign of any ford after the sign). I suspect the Irish bridge just overflows down the road but there appeared precious little sign of underflow let alone overflow !'





Stoke Ash
TM122694 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by Graham Hardy (26/10/2005)

'Irish Bridge on Deadmans Lane (ford signs at both ends) just east of the A140.'





Stone Street
TL966395 (3*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Nicholas Woollett (08/08/2002)

'This is a nice little ford of two cars length with a concrete bottom on a lane connecting Stone Street with Calais Street near the village of Boxford in Suffolk.'





Stoven
TM449829 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by John Walton (03/03/2013)

'Here is a byway ford at Stoven in Suffolk. Tarmaced track down to Northgreen Farm. Suitable for all.'





Thornham Magna
TM106705 (2*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Graham Hardy (30/07/2005)

'It's south of Thornham Magna on Water Lane; a no-through road opposite the Four Horsehoes pub.'





Wagger Farm
TL966490 (2*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Richard Laycock (28/04/2016)

'The bridge here was replaced in 2013. The ‘new’ bridge retired to the countryside after previously crossing the River Gipping in the middle of a chemical factory in the town of Stowmarket. The original urban style steel railing parapet was replaced with the timber rails shown.'

'The chances are you will have to return through the ford, as there are only UCRs suitable for trial bikes only beyond (drive onto the Irish Bridge, then turn left dropping off the concrete into the river. The UCR runs along the river for about half a mile then climbs away through trees and fields to Kettlebaston.) Richard May





Westhall Ford
TM411809 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by Mike Millward (09/03/2007)

'I found this ford on the road from Uggeshall to Spexhall. It is unmarked and is one branch of a small brook between Brick Kiln Fam and Manor Farm. It is about four car lengths long and was about 4" deep this day.'









Wickham Street (x3!)

TM091698 (1*) Irish Bridge
TM083695 (1*) Restricted Access
TM075695 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by Graham Hardy (04/07/2005)

'The first is a concrete Irish Bridge (Image 1); the depth gauge has had the lower section swept away in a surging torrent. This leaves only the less useful end remaining. Access up to the footbridge was very overgrown so either pedestrians are few and far between or the bridge is seldom required; I suspect the latter. I didn't follow the lane further north but it appeared well used.

The next one is further west and is just off the road so access is easy. It's a good 6 inches deep though rather rocky but no problem for a Volvo 340. Emerging from the trees northwards leads to a network of grassy tracks bordering fields of doubtful vehicular right of way so you'll probably have to turn round and come back again! (Image 2)

The final one is another Irish Bridge; further west again on Eastlands Lane; signposted as a no through road.'





Wickhambrook
TL751545 (2*) Suitable for All
Sent in by Graham Hardy (26/10/2005)

'No access from B1063 as lane is One-Way east to west.'









Witnesham (x3!)

TM177509 (1*) Suitable for All
TM185510 (1*) Irish Bridge
TM188511 (1*) Irish Bridge
Sent in by Graham Hardy (31/07/2005)

'Found 3 fords in Witnesham (Suffolk): Image 1: On a RUPP to the west of the Church and is replete with Ford Sign and depth gauge. Image 2: On Wash Lane and is evident only by this depth gauge in a hedge! Image 3: Irish bridge further east again on Wash Lane.'









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