Suffolk Coast Path - Sizewell to Aldeburgh Circular Walk ~ Griffmonsters Great Walks

A circular walk from Sizewell to Aldeburgh along the Suffolk Coast Path

The Suffolk Coast Path does not go into Aldeburgh but it is a simple excursion to continue along the beach all the way down to the unique clover leafed Martello Tower at the vanished village of Slaughden using the old railway track to make a circular walk.

Suffolk Coast Path to Aldeburgh - Essential Information

Walk Statistics:

Start location: Leiston
End location: Aldeburgh
Distance: miles ( km)
Total Gain: ft ( metre)
Total Descent: ft ( metre)
Min Height: ft ( metre)
Max Height: ft ( metre)
Walk Time:
Walk type: Linear
Walk Grade: Easy
Terrain:

Maps:

The following maps and services can assist in navigating this route. There are links to printed maps and links to downloadable GPX route data for importing into navigational software and apps.

Ordnance Survey Explorer Map: OS Explorer 212 - Woodbridge & Saxmundham
GPX Route File

Route Verification Details

Date of Walk: 2010-08-14
Walk Time: 11:00 to 17:30
Walkers: Griffmonster, Kat
Weather Conditions: Sunny spells, warm but a haze along the coast

Walk Notes

This is a regular walk that we undertake here at Griffmonsters Walks. Coast, heath, old railway track. There is always something new to see no matter how many times we walk it, spring, summer, autumn or winter.

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On the left Mileage post at Aldeburgh; On the right Aldeburgh fishing boat 'Silver Harvest'

Directions

Inland walk across the tracks, heaths and the old railway line to Aldeburgh. Return via the coast.

Sizewell to Aldeburgh

Take the road out of Sizewell village and turn left onto the lane towards Sizewell Hall. Continue along this lane. It turns into no more than a sandy track. Ignore all other paths. Eventually it will turn onto a hard surface which emerges onto the Thorpeness road. Continue straight across following the Sandlings waymarkers. This leads alongside the golf course and then joins the former railway track through to Aldeburgh. At Aldeburgh, pass the caravan park where the broad path narrows and comes out onto a road. Go straight across and there is a short section of path before you meet the main road into Aldeburgh. Cross this and go onto the private road down the side of the library. Walk through until the road bears right where a track on the left. Take this and continue straight on as it junctions with a road. When this road bears sharp right the town steps lead down into central Aldebrugh. Turn right and walk through to the southern end of Aldeburgh. The houses give way to a shingle track with boatyards. Continue along this to the Martello tower which is a landmark in the distance.

Aldeburgh to Sizewell

Follow the coast path through to Thorpeness. At low tide it should be possible to continue along the beach here but at high tide , due to recent erosion, access is not possible. In this case walk through to the private road and up onto Thorpeness Common. Walk across the common to the far end where there is a sandy slope back down to the beach. The Suffolk Coast Path continues along the base of the cliff but soon navigates back to the top through to Sizewell

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On the left The Old Customs House in Aldeburgh; On the right Fort Green Mill

Pubs

White Hart, Aldeburgh View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Address: High Street, Aldeburgh
Website: www.whitehartaldeburgh.co.uk/

This Grade II listed building dating from the 18th century, is a single roomed bar with wood panelling and decorated with nautical memorabilia. Originally a reading room, it bacame an alehouse during the early 1800s. The pub offers Adnams ales plus guests and has occasional music and basic pub food.

Review

The White Hart had three guest ales on this visit; these were Gales HSB, Nethergates Suffolk County and Puritys Pure Ubu. We opted for the Purity as we had not heard of this brewery before. Apparently it comes from Warwickshire. An excellent ale, with a sweetish finish balanced by a lingering bitterness. Very enjoyable indeed.

The Dolphin, Thorpenes View in OS Map | View in Google Map

Address: Peace Place, Thorpenes
Website: https://www.thorpenessdolphin.com/

Formally known as the Crown Inn, the original building used to be attached to six cottages known as West Terrace. The inn was renamed when the cottages were demolished and the building extended with bedrooms to become the Dolphin Inn. Parts of the village, then known as Aldringham-cum-Thorpe, date back to Tudor times, but in 1910 the village was renamed Thorpeness when landowner, Stuart Ogilvie, began realising his plan to create a unique seaside holiday village on the site. The Dolphin Inn was consumed by fire in September 1995 and was rebuilt and re-opened in 1998 by Thorpeness and Aldeburgh Hotels. Friendly service, good food using local producers and an extensive choice of beverages including Adnams and a guest ale.

Review

The Dolphin always has a guest ale on, in this instance the excellent Brewers Gold by Crouch Vale brewery.

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On the left The controvorsial Scallop Sculpture; On the right Martello Tower

Gallery

Below are a selection of images taken from from the photo album for this walk. Feel free to browse through these or click on an image to view a larger version in the Gallery.