Southwold walks

A circular walk around Southwold which navigates from Southwold Harbour around the northern part of the Blyth estuary known as Buss Creek, returning via the seafront to the harbour. One cannot miss out on a wander around the pier to take in the amazing sights of the quirky The Under the Pier show, the creation of Tim Hunkin and typical British eccentricity at its best.

A linear walk along the former trackbed of the Southwold Railway to Blythburgh.
The Southwold Railway was a narrow gauge line that linked Halesworth and Southwold. This closed in 1929 but the track bed is still in existence to Blythburgh and makes an excellent walk. The White Hart pub offers a place for refreshment before returning along the same route. Outstanding views across the Blyth estuary and easy walking across heath and woodland make this a well worthwhile excursion.

A walk along the beach route of the Suffolk Coast Path to the tiny hamlet of Covehithe with its impressive ruins of St Andrews church. Return is along the inland route of the Coast Path. This walk is dependant upon tides and consultation of tide times is vital in order to negotiate the beach route.

Wander around Walberswick with its river, heath and marshes, or take a longer walk to Dunwich.

Wander around Walberswick with its river, heath and marshes, or take a longer walk to Dunwich.

Explore a mosaic of unique landscapes including reedbed, woodland, heathland, marsh and shingle coast, which sustain a large diversity of wildlife

This walk visit the elegant seafront, the traditional harbour and the open marshes.

This walk visit the elegant seafront, the traditional harbour and the open marshes.

A walk through Dunwich forest to the medieval site of the lost village of Hethern.
Dunwich forest is always a good place to walk and find peace amid the fora, fauna and wildlife. There are information boards that provide details of this ever changing world of nature but there is nothing about its history. Little is known of the medieval village of Hethern or the landmarks of Stonehill Bridge and Stonehill Castle which are recorded in the 15th century Westleton Extents. This document records that they stood aside a now lost road directly linking Dunwich to Blythburgh and which cut across the marshes.

This walk explores Kessingland’s quiet countryside and beautiful coastline, taking in some lovely views on the way.

This walk explores Kessingland’s quiet countryside and beautiful coastline, taking in some lovely views on the way.

This walk explores Kessingland’s quiet countryside and beautiful coastline, taking in some lovely views on the way.

A walk between Halesworth and Beccles along the East Suffolk Line Path.
This waymarked route links the railway stations at Halesworth, Brampton and Beccles. Taking the train between these towns will provide an interesting glimpse of what is in store along the walk, including the rather curious Belle Grove Farm looking as if it is out of some fantasy movie and the mysterious Brampton Standing Stone just south of Brampton Station.

A walk along the East Suffolk Line Trail between Halesworth and Darsham. Great views are to be had along the Blyth valley before footpaths head over to the Yox valley. The village of Bramfield is at the half way point where is an old pub for refreshments as well as a distinctive church with a detached tower and a fine example of a Crinkle Crankle Wall, not to mention the legendary Bramfield Oak.

A walk down the Blyth Valley in Suffolk from Halesworth to Blythburgh, then across the heaths and commons to Leiston. It was the legendary hell hound that supposedly came this way in 1577 and terrified parishioners of Blythbrugh church after doing a similar job at Bungay.

A walk between Aldringham and Aldeburgh through the Suffolk Coastal Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. (AONB) There is a variety of differing scenery along this route, gentle hills around Aldringham, boardwalks across the marshes at The Fens, a walk along the old Aldeburgh railway and an estuary walk along river defences of the Alde. With such treasures as the pretty little church at Aldringham, tucked away in the trees and away from civilisation and the magnificent church of St Peter and St Paul at Aldeburgh, there is plenty to see and explore.

A walk following the western parish boundary of Leiston in Suffolk, as described in a document from the middle-ages.
This walk attempts to follow the instructions of a perambulation around the western side of the Leiston Parish boundary that was undertaken in the year AD1620. Leiston's history is renowned for its Abbey and the Garret's works, but this walk also discovers the site of a possible ancient pre-Christian shrine or temple, the location of the Leiston gallows and the procession route taken by those attending this gruesome public spectacle.

An easy circular walk through the woodland around Sizewell on the Suffolk Coast. Simple walk with many alternatives using the myriad tracks and paths through Kenton Hill woodland.

Suffolk is not best known for its hills and Kenton Hill and Goose Hill probably would not be regarded as hills but for their name. However, this wooded area offers an ever changing scenery throughout the year with the mixture of conifer and broad leafed trees, flora and fauna and a variety of wildlife. There is also a viewing platform overlooking the Minsmere marshes

A walk across the Coastal Suffolk landscape between Leiston and Saxmundham.
This walk searches out footpaths to connect the neighbouring towns of Leiston and Suffolk. Although there is no direct route, the paths chosen are certainly more conducive to the walker than the busy road route. With the churches of Leiston and Knodishall on the route, plus the mysterious Harris's Pit in the parish of Sternfield there is enough to interest the avid rambler. Sternfield also has the notoriety of being the village from which the last woman to be burnt at the stake in England came.

This walk follows an investigation to seek out the location of the Leiston Gibbet and an area of heathland that was known in the 1600's as Friday Market Heath. The only reference to these places comes from an old book from 1910 entitled 'The Chronicles of Theberton' which details the route past the gibbet. This walk attempts to retrace this route by navigating along the heathland and footpaths around the River Hundred which marks the boundary between the hundreds of Blything and Plomestead. Extensive research which has been undertaken and documented in the feature of this walk with some revealing insights to long forgotten places.

A walk along the East Suffolk Line Path between Leiston and Wickham Market
Although the official route for the East Suffolk Line Path links the stations at Saxmundham and Campsea Ashe, this provides an alternative route using the local bus service to link the two ends. Highlights along the route include the picturesque Beversham Mill and the legendary Blaxhall Stone which is said to progressively grow in size.

A walk encompassing the Westwood Marshes footpath into a circular route from Leiston.
The Westwood Marshes footpath is little gem of a path that links the Newdelight Walks with the Suffolk Coast Path through the Westwood marshes. The route for this walk uses this path as the ultimate destination from Leiston but shorter alternatives to include this path are also detailed.

A circular walk through the Suffolk Coastal Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty taking in Sizewell and the Minsmere Bird Reserve.
One does not have to have an enthusiasm for ornithology to enjoy this walk. The natural surroundings of marshland and heathland are enough to inspire everyone and there is a lot of associated history along this route which dates back to the 12th century when Leiston Abbey once occupied an island in the marshes. Note that charges apply to the Minsmere section.

A circular walk between Sizewell and Southwold along the Suffolk Coast Path and Sandlings Walk.
Due to the limitations of public transport, it is difficult to create linear walks along the Suffolk Coast Path between Sizewell and Southwold.
The walk follows the Suffolk Coast Path up to Dunwich Heath where a newly designated footpath along the roadside will join back with the Suffolk Coast Path at Greyfriars Woods and leads to Dunwich. Keep with the Coast Path through Dunwich and across the marshes to Walberswick where the river Blyth can be crossed using the ferry to continue into Southwold along the Suffolk Coast Path. Return is straight down the coast to Dunwich then head across the heath through to Eastbridge and Leiston following the Sandlings Walk.
⚠️The Walberswick Ferry only runs at weekends during some weeks of the year and one should check the service prior to walking. There is an alternative route.

A circular walk between Leiston and Walberswick incorporating sections of the Suffolk Coast Path and Sandlings Walk. It uses the beach at low tide to get from Sizewell to Walberswick, returning through Dunwich forest. Walberswick is said to be the most haunted place in Britain though one would not think it from its relaxed and laid back character, famous for its crabbing pastimes.

A circular walk around Leiston and Eastbridge in Suffolk. Leiston Abbey was originally founded in the late 12th century by Ranulf de Glanville. The original building was constructed on an island in the Minsmere marshes. Two centuries later, due to the inhospitable conditions on the marsh and constant flooding the Abbey was moved inland, lock stock and stone to a site close to Leiston. Despite a great fire in 1367 and much demolition following the dissolution of the monasteries there still remains some impressive ruins. There is still a remnant of the old Abbey, with the former chapel building sitting in its island position above the marsh, decaying into the landscape and containing a WWII pill box. This walk visits both sites making a well worthwhile walk.

A route that can be either walked or cycled through the Suffolk countryside around Snape, Blaxhall and Glenham. It goes through the Suffolk countryside using a mixture of lanes, tracks, bridleways and little used country roads. This can be either walked or cycled and provides a full days outing taking in the picturesque villages of Snape, Blaxhall, Little Glemham, Great Glemham and Benhall which these days is split into two with the A12 separating Benhall Low Street from Benhall Green. Along the route is the Parham Airfield Museum, although this is only open on Sundays between April to October.

A circular walk between Leiston to Dunwich using the Suffolk Coast Path from Sizewell to Dunwich with a visit to the ruins of the 12th-century Leper Chapel. The return uses the footpath via Mount Pleasant to get onto the Sandlings Path across Dunwich Heath to return back to Leiston.

A circular walk around the Suffolk villages of Knodishall and Friston.
An easy ramble across the Suffolk countryside, with the highlight being the hidden ruins of St Peters Church in the old parish of Buxlow, now a part of Knodishall. There's some fascinating history on this walk along paths that are off the beaten track but nonetheless well-maintained.

An easy walk from the car park, along the shingle beach, and onto the clifftop paths.
This walk was designed to aid an accompanied site visit by the Planning Inspectorate examining proposals for an offshore windfarm infrastructure of sub-surface drilling and cable route onshore.

A circular walk along the Angles Way from Beccles to Geldeston Locks. This walk passes the location of the historic Barsham Hall, source of the ghostly legend of Old Blunderhazard who is said to ride in his coach drawn by four fire breathing headless horses to Norwich and back each Christmas Eve.