Route details, maps, pubs, features, local history and folklore for a wide variety of walks focusing primarily on Norfolk and Suffolk

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North Warren Nature Reserve - Heath Trail

Warren Heath waymarked trail

Short waymarked trail around the heathland of the North Warren Nature Reserve

This short 1 mile waymarked trail guides the visitor around the heathland at RSPB North Warren. This is part of the historic Suffolk Sandlings landscape and represents a rare example of lowland heath on the Suffolk coast. Characterised by heather, gorse and acid-tolerant grasses, this open habitat supports specialised wildlife, including heathland birds such as woodlark and nightjar as well as a variety of insects. The heath forms an important part of the diverse ecosystems within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

History of the Theberton Round House

The photograph that triggered the walk

A walk around East Suffolk countryside

This 10.5 mile circular walk follows tracks, paths and lanes of East Suffolk to provide a varied landscape of marsh, woodland and open fields to provide a contemplative stroll. This specific instance of the walk focuses on the long forgotten Round House in the village of Theberton with research conducted to determine its history (see Notes Section for full details).

A Walk around Suffolk's Minsmere Bird Reserve

Minsmere sluice

A 10 mile 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.

In Search of Sizewell and Thorpe Beacons

Sizewell

A 10 mile walk following the southern side of the parish boundary of Leiston in coastal Suffolk.

This is the second article devoted to the walk following the route of a 17th century perambulation around the southern side of the Leiston Parish boundary. This article concentrates on two landmarks from the past, namely Sizewell and Thorpe Beacons, which are thought to have been part of the Armada early warning system.

In Search of the ruins of Leiston Abbey (Diversion in Place)

A 10 mile 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.

The Sandlings Walk - Knodishall to Snape (Diversion in Place)

A 13 mile circular walk along the Sandlings Walk between Knodishall and Snape

With limited public transport this walk offers a circular route to incorporate the Sandlings path from Knodishall to Snape. Starting and ending at nearby Leiston it incorporates The Sailors Path and the Suffolk Coast Path to make a worthwhile day walk. The route passes Friston mill and Hall and the burial grounds where a Saxon burial ship was discovered. With pubs at Friston and Snape it provides for a great days ramble.

The Alde Valley Walk - Leiston to Wickham Market (Diversion in Place)

Beversham Mill

A 16 mile 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 (a little off route) which is said to progressively grow in size.

In Search of Leiston's Ancient Pagan Sites, the Procession Rayles and Gallows (Diversion in Place)

Harrow Lane

A 7 mile 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.

Leiston to Middleton Mill Circular Walk

A walk across the coastal Suffolk countryside to the village of Middleton

A splendid way to spend a days walking, cross fields and countryside and heading to the location of the Middleton Watermill. There are churches to stop and investigate on the way.

Sizewell Circular Walk 1 of 5 - BLOCKED UP

WARNING

THIS WALK USES BLOCKED UP PATHS AND IS CURRENTLY INACCESSIBLE.

PLEASE CHOOSE ANOTHER WALK.

Sizewell, Goose Hill, Kenton Hills and Sizewell Belts

Walk 1 of a series of five Walks created for the Vulcan Arms pub at Sizewell. This follows the beach to woodland of Goose Hill and Kenton Hills with return across Sisewell Belts. A glorious walk encapsulating the differing landscapes of this special area of Suffolk

Suffolk Coast Path Challenge Walk Part 2

A 2 day challenge walk to complete the Suffolk Coast Path

The second day of a 2 day challenge walk to walk the Suffolk Coast from Languard Fort to the county boundary at Hopton. This second starts at Sizewell and continues through to Hopton

Suffolk Coast Path Challenge Walk Part 1

A 2 day challenge walk to complete the Suffolk Coast Path

The first day of a 2 day challenge walk to walk the Suffolk Coast from Languard Fort to the county boundary at Hopton. This first day terminates at approximately the half way point of Sizewell

Leiston To Yoxford Circular Walk (Diversion in Place)

Exploring the countryside between the East Suffolk villages of Leiston and Suffolk

This is a walk to celebrate the glorious working landscape of East Suffolk. With the option of two pubs at Yoxford this makes for a good days rambling

Dunwich to Walberswick

Aldborough

A 13 mile Suffolk circular walk connecting Dunwich and Walberswick

This walk encapsulates coast, forest and marsh presenting a myriad of landscapes. Making use of both the Sandlings and Suffolk Coast Path, it is a simple and easily navigated wander to fill a days exploration

In Search of Leiston Gibbet, Friday Market Heath and St Andrews Green

Land by the River Hundred at Aldringham

A 6 mile walk around the heaths and commons of Coldfair Green.

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.

Alde Valley Walk - Sweffling to Badingham

more Suffolk countryside

A circular walk through the quintessential Suffolk countryside following the River Alde

A circular walk 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!

Saxmundham to Rendham Circular Walk

Rendham church

Circular Walk between Saxmundham and the village of Rendham

Six mile circular walk 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 to, with the Roman bronze head being discovered in the river at Rendham back in 1907. How did it get there?

In Search of the Lost City of Dunwich (Diversion in Place)

A circular walk between Leiston and Dunwich

This walk uses the beach and the Sandlings Path to provide a days walk to Dunwich from Leiston via Sizewell. One should time this walk such that the beach is walked a couple of hours either side of low tide when there is a little sand to walk along. At other times the beach is predominantly shingle and the walker may find it easier to follow the Suffolk Coast Path which is waymarked from the north side of Minsmere where it continues up onto the cliffs.

Kenton Hills and Broom Covert Circular Walk - BLOCKED UP

Broom Covert

A circular walk around the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at Sizewell

This walk uses blocked up paths and is currently inaccessible. There is no access through Goose Hill and down to the beach. Some parts of Kenton hills are accessible. The path across Broom Covert is lined with metal fencing and the path across the meadow to Reckham Pits has been directed. This is due to construction works linked to Sizewell C.

This walk has a diverse landscape that has something for everyone. Woodland, coast and beach, freshwater marsh and Sandlings Heath which is a delight to any visitor and worthy of its status as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The walk heads out of Leiston alongside the man-made Aldhurst Farm nature reserve, an area of wetland, heath and grassland created in 2015 as a sweetener for the local folk should the proposed Sizewell C Power Station get approval. It isn't presently accessible to the public other than the established footpath that runs along the valley and a new path running adjacent to Valley Road. The north side of the reserve was once known as Winters Heath, common land that was enclosed in the early 19th century. Therefore this is not so much as giving something to the community as returning the access rights to the people that such common land once afforded.

Suffolk Coast Path - Sizewell to Aldeburgh Circular Walk

The White Hart Aldeburgh

A 13 mile circular walk from Leiston to the White Hart Beer Festival in Aldeburgh

Easter 2011 was a really warm and sunny occasion and what better way to spend a Good Friday and Easter Monday than a casual walk through to Aldeburgh where The White Hart pub was holding its 9th Annual Beer Festival. Over 30 ales from across the country plus a selection of real cider, this really had to have something for everyone.

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