Buildings and Boats beside the Sea

Description

(D/A) Start in front of Southwold Pier facing inland. Turn left and follow the path beside the railings onto the low cliffs. The path continues past greens and elegant houses.

(1) When you reach South Green (signed) turn right. Walk inland across the grass until you come to a large green. Cross the road and head towards the post box. Continue past the post box into a short dead-end lane. At the end, take the path between two flint walls. As the path turns left, continue ahead on the footpath. Turn right at the road. Follow the road past a car park entrance.

(2) Turn left at the junction along Godyll Road. Follow the road past attractive houses with Southwold Common on the left. Soon another big green opens up on the right. Continue along the road as it bends to the right. When you come to the T junction, cross the road and turn left towards the two water towers, using the mown path alongside the road. Soon, a grass path leads off diagonally across the green, heading just to the right of the towers. Keep on this path across the golf course until you reach a junction with a track.Turn left, towards Walberswick. This is the trackbed of the Halesworth to Southwold Railway, which closed in 1929.

(3) Just before the river bridge, turn left. Follow the footpath alongside the river to join the unmade road through Southwold Harbour. When the road turns sharply left, leave it and cross the car park. Walk over the dunes onto the beach or follow the wide grassy area behind the dunes.

(4) When you reach the first beach huts, look for the Gunhill Beach Café. Take the path beside the Café that turns right and leads up Gunhill Cliff. Walk through the gardens beside the railings and drop down to the promenade. Continue along the promenade to the Pier or explore the town.(D/A)