Ipswich to Shotley Gate

A walk along the Shotley Peninsular

A 14 mile walk along the banks of the River Orwell in Suffolk between Ipswich and Shotley Gate.

The Stour and Orwell path is an extension to the southern end of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Path and follows the coast and heaths along the estuaries of the Orwell and the Stour, going up to Ipswich, then back out to the Shotley peninsula before returning to Cattawade. I have always thought about walking this path as it is so close to home but have never attempted it until recently. On 22 May 2010 we walked the section from Felixstowe to Ipswich and this is the continuation of that walk.

Date: 2010-07-30

Start point: Ipswich Railway Station

End Point: Shotley Gate

Start Time: 10:00

End time: 15:00

Distance: 13-14 miles

Weather conditions: Persistent rain for the first 5 miles, followed by steadily clearing skies. Warm.

Path taken: Followed the Orwell and Stour Walk throughout

Pubs:

• Butt and Oyster Inn. Pin Mill. Excellent pint of Adnams Regatta - pricey as always in Adnams houses (£3.40/pint). Charming pub;
• The Shipwreck, Shotley Gate - a free house but all the had on was Adnams Regatta (very nice once again) and 3 Greene King ales which I try to avoid as they tend to take over very good brews and successfully turn them into indistinct dross!

Notes: easy going walk mostly along the riverside. Got very wet for the first 5 miles with persistent light rain. The map holder is by no means waterproof so ended up with some soggy maps! New trousers stood up well - did not retain the water and dried very quickly once the rain ceased (excellent buy - army style trousers, Roys at Anglia Square, Norwich £9.99)

Public transport: Park n Ride Martlesham - Ipswich Railway Station; Ipswich buses service 98 Shotley Gate - Ipswich Old Cattle Market (http://www.ipswichbuses.co.uk/timetable_202.html)

Route:



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Last Updated: 2014-01-02Z