Thornham Walks estate launches new path made from more than 5,000 recycled tyres

A popular walking site has launched a new footpath, which has used 5,262, recycled tyres for its surface.

The three-quarters-of-a-mile path at Thornham Walks was opened by Julia Lady Henniker, wife of the late Lord Henniker, who founded the walks., last Wednesday.

With the previous tarmac surface becoming broken and cracked, trustees began looking at alternatives – and soon settled on an idea to put thousands of old tyres to good use.

Josephine Maughan, who manages the site on behalf of Thornham Estate and is the granddaughter of Lord Henniker, said: “We had to continuously repair the path in its pervious state, as the walks see around 60,000 people visit every year.

“The path has been on our long list of fundraising projects for some time, so ourselves and The Friends of Thornham Walks, who contributed £25,000 of match funding to the project, decided to go for it about two years ago.”

Mid Suffolk District Council gave £120,000 to help complete the project.

Tim Weller, cabinet member for environment, culture and wellbeing said: “It is great to see the Pioneering Paths Project at Thornham Walks come to fruition.

“It means its attractive woodland habitat will be fully accessible for visitors for years to come.”

With 12 miles of well-established walks on offer, the site also features a cafe, a walled garden, fishing lakes and holiday accommodation.

Ms Maughan added: “When it was opened in 1982 by my grandfather, the primary aim of Thornham Walks was to enable public access to the countryside for all – and this path continues that ethos into the future.

“Ourselves on the estate and Mid Suffolk District Council would like to thank everyone who helped to make this new asset possible.”

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