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Abbey Gate, Bury St Edmunds – Knettishall Heath Ponies loop from Thurston

Abbey Gate, Bury St Edmunds – Knettishall Heath Ponies loop from Thurston

Hard

3.0

(2)

riders

Abbey Gate, Bury St Edmunds – Knettishall Heath Ponies loop from Thurston

05:53

97.4km

430m

Gravel riding

Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: June 20, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment in which cycling is not permitted

After 11.4 km for 229 m

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

1.69 km

View of Railway from Bridge

Highlight • Cycleway

Really good bridge for cyclists over the tracks

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7.44 km

The Angel Hotel, a Georgian building on Angel Hill, was used by Charles Dickens while giving readings in the nearby Athenaeum and mentioned in The Pickwick Papers. Angelina Jolie also used the hotel as a base during the filming of Tomb Raider. A coaching inn has stood on this spot since the 15th century.

(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bury_St_Edmunds)

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27.7 km

Icknield Way Cycle Trail

Highlight • Viewpoint

Wide tyres recommended when it’s dry...the sand is super deep in places. Beautiful view across the heathlands

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31.4 km

Deadman's Grave

Nature Reserve

31.6 km

Seven Tree Road, Deadman's Grave

Highlight • Trail

From Wikipedia, Deadman's Grave, Icklingham

Deadman's Grave, Icklingham is a 127.3-hectare (315-acre) biological Site of Special Scientific Interest north-east of Icklingham in Suffolk. It is a Nature Conservation Review site, Grade I, and part of Breckland Special Area of Conservation and Breckland Special Protection Area under the European Union Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds.

According to Natural England, this site "is largely covered by short, sheep-grazed, species-rich calcareous grassland of the very highest value." It has four nationally rare plants, Spanish catchfly, Boehmer's cat's-tail, Breckland Wild Thyme and spring speedwell. Nationally rare stone curlews breed there.

A track called Seven Tree Road runs through the site.

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41.9 km

Rubbinghouse Covert

Forest

56.3 km

Heath Wood

Nature Reserve

67.5 km

Peddars Way Trail

Highlight • Trail

This is the start of the Peddars Way, a 46 mile (74 km) long distance hiking and cycling trail from near Thetford close to the Norfolk/Suffolk border, to the North Norfolk coast at Hunstanton.

Mostly following ancient Roman routes, the trail has the characteristic straight trajectory that’s associated with this era.

The Peddars Way is for you if you love wildlife, history and the great British Countryside, which it has all three in spades. Explore ancient castles and ruins, look out for wildlife among glacial wetlands and coastal marshes and enjoy the expansive arable landscape that’s so typical of this county.

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67.7 km

Knettishall Heath Ponies

Highlight • Forest

Early morning is a great time to meet the ponies before the traffic sends them into the Heath

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68.3 km

Knettishall Heath Nature Reserve

Highlight • Natural

Knettishall Heath nature reserve covers about 430 acres (174 hectares) and also includes woodland and riverside meadows, as well as large areas of heath.

In season, there is a visitor welcome and cafe van in the car park every Wed-Sun plus bank holidays 10am-4pm.

If you go early in the morning, you're likely to find the ponies grazing much closer to the road.

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