(S/E) Starting from Fort Green car park. Head towards the public toilets and pass on the sea side of them to join Crag Path which runs between the edge of Aldeburgh Town and the shingle beach.
Views of Thorpeness can been seen in the distance while you walk past the old lifeboat lookout towers, seaside holiday homes, local fresh fish huts and the Lifeboat station and shop.
In the summer months this part of the shingle is scattered with Valerian growing between the fishing boats. In the distance views of Sizewell Power Station dwarfs the House in the Clouds at Thorpeness. On leaving the built up area of Aldeburgh the vegetation on the shingle beach increases.
(1) Continue along the shingle and grass path to Thorpeness. When you reach the houses walk past them keeping the sea on your right and the houses on your left. Take the first boardwalk on your left between two bungalows, opposite a sign that reads “No dogs beyond this point between 1st May – 30th September”. Walk through the car park and emerge opposite Thorpeness meare. Cross the busy road and onto the grass verge on the outside of the meare to follow the road signed Aldringham. Cross over Lakeside Avenue, the road that leads to Thorpeness Hotel and Golf Club, and take the footpath on your left along the gravel track of Uplands Road.
This footpath will lead you past the House in the Clouds and the Mill.
(2) When you reach the car park of the golf course continue on the footpath which is ahead between trees. This path follows the edge of the meare on your left with the golf course on your right.
(3) On reaching a T-junction of paths near to the old gatekeepers house and other red brick houses turn left to walk approx.1.7miles (2.7km) to reach Aldeburgh along the old railway line.
(4) On reaching a caravan park on your left where footpath’s cross, continue straight ahead.
(5) When you reach a road, cross over then turn right and then immediately left onto a footpath which leads to the A1094. Cross this main road, turn right. When you see the Railway Inn on the other side of the roundabout (the site of the old railway station) turn left, following the sign for public toilets. Follow the tarmac path which you can see on the right of the play equipment.
From here you can enjoy expansive views over Aldeburgh Marshes and the masts of Orford Ness in the distance.
(6) The path becomes an access road, keep straight on passing the Pumphouse. This Victorian sewage pumping station is now used as venue for Aldeburgh Music. When you reach the road turn right. You will pass JT Pegg & Son where the Scallop Sculpture was made.
(7) About 60m before the High Street turn right onto the footpath leading to the river wall. Remain on the footpath turning right and then left. Head across the marshes, bearing left to the river wall. Go up the steps onto river wall and turn left to walk along the top of the wall. Cross over the track and then up a set of steps onto the sea wall, turn left and follow the path back to Fort Green Car Park.(S/E)