Suffolk walks

This walk explores the Orwell and Stour estuaries. Enjoy superb views of Harwich Haven and the Port of Felixstowe.

A Suffolk circular walk that starts from Shotley Gate on the confluence of the Stour and Orswell Rivers. The route offers an interesting insight into the operation of the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich together with a lengthy section of the Stour and Orwell Walk. The walk follows the shore for much of the way but ventures inland via Church End and Erwarton Hall to complete the circuit.

On the ‘Wherstead Woodlands’ walk, you can see more ancient woodland, the Stalls Valley, farmland and the villages of Wherstead and Freston.

The historic villages of Wherstead and Freston are great for exploring the unique farmed and estuary landscapes of the Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB. The walks take in Freston Wood, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI).

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

This circular walk through the countryside of Suffolk includes a section alongside the River Orwell. The route takes you inland passing Erwarton Hall and the fine church at Church End to the banks of the Orwell from where you can see Felixstowe Docks. The walk then heads north along the Orwell following the Stout and Orwell Walk.

This walk explores the town of Woodbridge, the river Deben and the surrounding landscape.

Explore the diversity of forest plantation and one of Suffolk’s few ancient woodlands.

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

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

Trimley Marshes make for a wonderful day out with some beautiful scenery, fascinating history and one of the best wildlife sites in the county.

This walk explores the Orwell and Stour estuaries. Enjoy superb views of Harwich Haven and the Port of Felixstowe.

Explore the unique and rare landscape of the Sandlings heath and its diversity of wildlife and history.

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

Discover the start of the river Stour, Constable's country

The River Alde is little more than a stream until it nears Snape Maltings. Here the river becomes tidal and it broadens into a wide estuary. It’s a place of glistening mud and open water, filled twice a day by the incoming tide and rich in wildlife.

This walk crosses the mysterious marshes before returning to Orford to visit the castle and church.

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

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

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 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.

A walk along the River Stour incorporating sections of the Stour Valley Path, the Essex Way and St Edmund's Way.
Flatford Mill is the idyllic English country scene encapsulated by John Constables renowned paintings including the instantly recognizable 'Haywain'. This circular route is an exceptional walk by all accounts and the perfect way to engross oneself in this landscape that sits on the Suffolk and Essex border.

The Suffolk Coast Path runs between Lowestoft and Southwold but due to coastal erosion has been diverted inland which results in some road walking, including along the main A12 between Pakefield and Kessingland. An alternative route is to follow the coast as it is possible to walk the entire distance along the beach providing one times the walk to coincide with low tide. This section is worth making the effort to walk, just to view the trees that are slowly being taken by the sea at Benacre and Covehithe broads where the distance between the broad and the sea is a mere sandy section of beach.
⚠️ Check the tide timetable before attempting this walk.

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.

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 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 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 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 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 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 around the Suffolk villages of Eye and Hoxne.
Hoxne is said to be where St Edmund was Martyred by the Viking invaders in the 9th century. The village is full of reminders of the gruesome event including the cross which marks the place of the oak tree his assailants tied him to, beat him, fired arrows at and eventually beheaded and the bridge he reputedly hid trying to escape his captors.

A walk around the village of Ufford.
Ufford is rich in heritage and well worth exploring. The Heritage Trail was created in 2006 and leads the walker around the historic features of the village including the village stocks, water meadows and the many listed buildings. The Highlight of the trail has to be the church which has an unusual dedication to St Mary of the Assumption and contains the second largest font cover in England which is a sight to behold.

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 walk around the Orford Loop section of the Suffolk Coast Path. The main Suffolk Coast Path cuts through Tunstall Forest from Iken Cliff to Chillesford. However, more recently, a path has been added which allows access to Orford by following the Alde estuary. This then cuts back across Gedgrave marshes and Sudbourne Hall to return to the main path at Chillesford.

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 circular walk around the Suffolk town of Saxmundham using the Town Trail that can be added onto the East Suffolk Line Walks or to while away a couple of hours on a lazy afternoon, including searching out the unique tombstone sundial in St Johns churchyard, and finding the haunted Monks Cottages.

A Suffolk circular walk along the banks of the Ore and Butley rivers between Orford and the Butley Ferry river crossing at Gedgrave.
The Suffolk Coast Path Orford Loop has two routes back onto the main trail, the first returns from Orford up to Chillesford but an alternative is to follow the lane from Orford to Gedrgrave and down to Butley Ferry. Although this crossing only operates from April to October, a pleasant and easy circular walk can be made from Orford returning along the top of the river defences.

A walk around Saxmundham, Kelsale and Carlton. Using footpaths an country lanes, this short walk provides some fine views, historic churches and even a ghostly tale of an apparition of phantom dancers. A worthy candidate for an afternoons exploration of this hidden corner of East Suffolk.

Circular Walk between Saxmundham and the village of Rendham, across the Suffolk countryside with a worthy stop off at the White Horse pub at Rendham. Woodland, open fields, babbling brooks make this typical of this part of Suffolk. And there is history too, with the Roman bronze head being discovered in the river at Rendham back in 1907. How did it get there?

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 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.

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 along the Deben Valley in Suffolk from Wickham Market to Woodbridge following the route of the East Suffolk Line Walks along the Deben Valley. An easy and simple walk with the highlight of the village of Ufford which boasts its very own microbrewery and ancient church. The walk ends with an amble along the popular riverside path between Melton and Woodbridge.

A walk around the ancient woodland of Captains Wood just outside the hamlet of Sudbourne
This is a hidden gem of a walk close to the Suffolk Coast in woodland which is currently under the management of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. The ancient woodland is full of life, colour and a natural wildness that is a pleasure to behold. A waymarked path provides easy access around the wood so one cannot get lost. Just take ones time and take it all in.

A very easy walk around the Suffolk Village of Bromeswell. The Sandlings Path avoids the busy road between Melton and the footpath across the Heathland to Rendlesham Forest by navigating around the quiet village of Bromeswell. Although only a short distance, it is worth taking ones time to explore this quiet village with its typically East Anglian church of St Edmund.

A circular walk through the quintessential Suffolk countryside following the River Alde, following country lanes with a few footpaths along the Alde Valley. This is typical Suffolk countryside where one can take a lazy stroll. There are pubs to visit, three to be precise and all named the White Horse, along with three churches that are not named the White Horse!

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.

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

An exhilarating walk along the defence banks of Suffolk's River Alde estuary beginning and ending at Slaughden Quay. The walk traces the defence banks that following the River Alde inland, returning via the footpath on the southern edge of Aldeburgh.

Once known as the Vale of Slaughden, the area below Aldeburgh presents a big open landscape across the marsh with the wide estuary waters of the River Alde as it meanders alongside the coast. Once upon a time Slaughden was a bustling fishing village but in present day it is all under the waves and a narrow spit of shingle is all that divides the North Sea from the gentle waters of the river.