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

Walks
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Tuesday 1 January 2019

Leiston to Walberswick Circular Walk

Sole Bay

A 22 mile circular walk between Leiston and Walberswick incorporating sections of the Suffolk Coast Path and Sandlings Walk.

This walk 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.

Monday 9 May 2016

Seaside Walk Week

Seaside Walk Week

It will soon be 2016 Seaside Walk Week. From Sunday 29 May to Sunday 5 June, this event, which is in its second year and organized by the charity Family Holiday Association, is dedicated to getting everyone outside to enjoy some fresh air and the beauty of the Great British seaside. The event will launch with an official walk in Scarborough, Britain’s first seaside resort, and end with another official walk as part of a grand finale weekend in Weston-super-Mare. Full details are available from their website page for Seaside Walk Week.

Saturday 29 December 2018

Boudicca Way - Norwich to Shotesham

Shotesham Common

A 12 mile walk roughly following Norfolk's Boudicca Way

This walk uses the Boudicca Way to navigate from Norwich to Shotesham, with an excursion away from the official route to the ruins of the Roman town Venta Icenorum. Shotesham forms the furtherest reaches of the Boudicca Way on this route, from where country lanes cuts across country to the A140 where there is a frequent bus service back into Norwich.

Wherrymans Way - Norwich to Thurton

River Yare at Bramerton

A 12.5 mile walk along Norfolk's Wherryman's Way

This is a delightful riverside walk following the River Yare out of Norwich and through to Rockland St Mary. Public transport can link the start and end by navigating down quiet country lanes to Thurton. Whitlingham Country Park provides an easy route to start and there's refreshment stops at Woods End and the Ferry Inn at Surlingham.

Tas Valley Way - Cringleford to Tasburgh

Small lake at Carleton Carrs

A 12 mile walk along Norfolk's Tas Valley Way

Probably one of the least known long distance paths in Norfolk, the Tas Valley Way links Norwich and Attleborough following the River Tas. This first section navigates through to Mulbarton, then onto Flordon before going off route to Tasburgh where there is a pub and public transport back to Norwich.

Tuesday 1 January 2019

Leiston to Westwood Marsh

The old Westwood Marsh Pumping Mill

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.

Friday 29 November 2019

In search of the lost Suffolk village of Hethern

Westwood Lodge with what is thought to be the old track leading down to the marsh

A 5 mile 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.

Wednesday 14 November 2018

Norfolk/Suffolk Coast - Gorleston to Kessingland

A 14 mile coastal walk between Gorleston and Kessingland crossing the border from Norfolk to Suffolk

This mighty fine walk takes the avid rambler to the most easterly point of the British Isles, Ness Point that is located in front of Lowestoft. The point is marked with a large circular ground compass with distances and direction to well known landmarks around the globe. The route uses cliff top paths, proms and beaches and makes for a great days walking.

Sunday 26 August 2018

Sandlings Walk - Rushmere to Melton Walk Summary

Salt marsh

The Suffolk Sandlings path between Rushmere, on the eastern side of Ipswich, and Melton

The Sandlings is a long distance path linking Ipswich and Southwold through the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

A starting point is provided at Rushmere Heath, close to Ipswich Hospital and takes a rural route out behind Kesgrave and through to Martlesham. The trail then heads down to Martlesham Creek, a sizeable creek off of the River Deben that creek was said to be used in 18th century smuggling days as a discreet place to offload contraband. A riverside path then provides access all the way through to Melton. This is the highlight of the walk, a true delight to wander no matter what time of the year.

Although there are no specific pubs along the route, a short diversion gives access to The Black Tiles at roughly the half way point. There is public transport linking the two ends with 800 First Group bus service departing from outside Melton railway station. The 64 service follows a similar route and departs from The Street in Melton. There is no Sunday service.

Features along the route include an anonymous grave on Martlesham Heath known as Dobbs' Grave, reputedly the resting place of a shepherd boy named Dobbs who committed suicide. The area is purported to be haunted some saying it to be the ghost of Brainy Dobbs, an airman from Martlesham Heath airfield.

Martlesham Heath Control Tower Museum is located a little further along and pays homage to RAF Martlesham Heath, which contributed to the development of aviation as well as being a key airfield during two world wars. Open on Sundays from Easter to October.

The impressive renovated Tide Mill sits on the banks of the Deben at Woodbridge and is a worthwhile attraction to take time out and visit. The mill, over 800 years old, is said to be the oldest in the country.

Sunday 6 February 2022

Peasenhall Circular Walk

Peasenhall Circular Walk

A walk around the countryside of the Suffolk village of Peasenhall

The village of Peasenhall is located on the A1120, some 3 miles from Yoxford and the A12. Surrounded by the glorious Suffolk countryside which this walk navigates through, landmarks include the medieval church of St Michael. Refreshments can be obtained at the Sibton White Horse pub.

Thursday 28 November 2019

A Walk to Suffolks Mystery Brampton Standing Stone

A 14 mile 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.

Sunday 22 December 2013

The Aftermath of the 2013 Storm Surge at Minsmere

Flattened dunes by the Northern Sea Wall to Minsmere

A 10 mile circular walk to witness the damage caused by the 2013 Storm Surge

The 2013 Storm Surge proved to be the highest tide in 60 years. Although much of the flooding had recede the evidence remained of where the waters reached. Viewing the changes in coastline shows just how vulnerable this stretch of the Suffolk coast really is, especially in view of the fact that such storms appear to be increasing in frequency. The walk returns through the heath and forest via Dunwich Heath and Eastbridge where the results of Octobers St Jude storm are evident from the many fallen trees.

Wednesday 9 January 2019

In Search of The King of the Belgians

King of the Belgians pub

A pub crawl to the Huntingdonshire pub known as The King of the Belgians

The unique pub name of The King of the Belgians is not the only reason to search out this hostelry. It has a excellent range of ales, offers good food, provides good company and has an intriguing history with regard to its names. This walk uses the road from Houghton so it is an easy stroll with other pubs along the route.

Saturday 15 December 2018

A Walk through the The Vale of Slaughden

Thames barge heading down river

An exhilarating 4 mile walk along the defence banks of Suffolk's River Alde estuary beginning and ending at Slaughden Quay

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.

Sunday 24 July 2011

New Sandlings Waymarker Design

The Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Unit has started to replace the old Sandlings Waymarkers with a new design. These green plastic plaques have been mounted over the previous logo on existing fingerposts. The new plaques carry a nightjar logo and are part of resigning process that is being carried out throughout the long distance walk that links Ipswich and Southwold. During the resigning process damaged fingerposts are being replaced.

Tuesday 7 January 2020

In Search of the Lost City of Dunwich

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.

Wednesday 8 June 2022

Tuesday 1 January 2013

Coastal Erosion at Thorpeness

Erosion at Thorpeness

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

In recent years the Suffolk Coast Path has been rerouted in-land from Sizewell across the commons to Thorpeness due to coastal erosion. The old coast route can still be walked when the tide is right and there is always an escape up the cliffs to Thorpeness Common just before the Thorpeness cliffs where the tide cuts off access to the beach.

Wednesday 2 January 2019

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.

Sunday 8 December 2013

2013 Storm Surge at Sizewell and Thorpeness

The strange egg-shaped object on the left is most likely a piece of fallen cliff

A walk at high tide of the 2013 Storm Surge between Sizewell and Thorpeness

This is a photographic excursion of the 2013 Storm Surge down the Suffolk Coast. With media firmly concentrated on events in South Africa the only real way to find out was happening was to visit this destructive storm surge oneself. Although this part of Suffolk was relatively unscathed it still presented awe-inspiring seas and crashing waves.

Walk Summaries

Latest walk summaries are basic information sheets for walks that have yet to be fully documented. These provide links to maps, public transport and walks stats, although detailed notes and features are not included.

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