Holt to Melton Constable Circular Walk

A ramble through the North Norfolk countryside

A walk using country lanes, footpaths, permissive paths and tracks to create a route between Holt and Melton Constable attempting to follow the route of the old M&GN railway line that linked the two towns.

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In Search of Polsborough Gate

A 9.5 mile walk following the old Snape Road to the Sailors Path.

This walk links Leiston with the Sailors Path following the old traditional road that used to link the town with Snape. There is then an outstanding ramble across Black heath and Hazlewood marshes through to Aldeburgh where a regular bus service links back with the start. Along this route was what in the 1700s was known as Polsborough Gate, a landmark whose position and derivation is unknown but with a little research some information about it can be determined

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Tracks and lanes to Glemham

A 22 mile route that can be either walked or cycled through the Suffolk countryside around Snape, Blaxhall and Glenham

A glorious route 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.

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Sun, Sea, Beer and Chips

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.

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)
• Est. Walk Time:  
• Walk type: Linear
• Walk Grade: Easy
• Terrain:

Route Map

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

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.

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

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

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 (2010-08-14)

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 (2010-08-14)

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

Image Gallery

The Old Customs House in Aldeburgh

Fort Green Mill

The controvorsial Scallop Sculpture

Martello Tower

Thorpeness Mere

Mileage post at Aldeburgh

Aldeburgh fishing boat 'Silver Harvest'

Slaughden

Martello Tower

Martello Tower

Slaughden

Martello Tower

Thorpeness Mere

Slaughden Beach

Aldeburgh from Thorpeness

Secret Tunnel at Sizewell Hall

Cliffs at Sizewell

Coastal erosion at Thorpeness

The White Hart Aldeburgh

Beer Festival at the White Hart Aldeburgh

Aldeburgh Chip Shop

Fishing boats on Aldeburgh Beach

Beer Festival Sign

Beer Festival drinkers

Route Validation Cards

Validation Date - 2010-08-14

• Time of Walk: 11:00 to 17:30
• Validators: Griffmonster, Kat
• Weather Conditions: Sunny spells, warm but a haze along the coast
• Notes: Initial route undertaken

Summary of Document Changes

Last Updated: 2026-01-12

• 2021-03-17 : Update website improvements and removal of ViewRanger reliance
• 2021-12-01 : Removal of ViewRanger links due to its imminent demise

Related Walk Links

• Walks around Leiston
• Walks around Aldeburgh
• Walks around Thorpeness
• Walks along the Suffolk Coast Path
• Walks for OS Map 212, Woodbridge & Saxmundham

View Route & GPX

Expedition to Orfordness Lighthouse

A 9 mile walk from Slaughden Quay to Orfordness and back

This walk is an arduous ordeal across shingle but worthwhile to see the site where the iconic Orfordeness lighthouse once stood. There are warning signs deterring visitors from straying beyond Slaughden but the large number of fishermen that dot the shoreline throughout demonstrate that public access is tolerated along the beach. This fascinating, stark and eerie landscape is really a sight to behold.

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South West Coast Path - Portreath to Hayle

A 12 mile walk along the North Cornish section of the South West Coast Path between Portreath to Hayle

Although there are a couple of climbs at the Portreath end of this walk, this is predominantly an easy clifftop path along with dune or beach walking across the sands between Godrevy Point and Hayle.

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Norfolk Coast Path - Cley to Wells-next-the-Sea

A 10 mile walk following the Norfolk Coast Path between Cley and Wells-next-the-Sea

An easy walk along the Norfolk Coast Path navigating out across the marshes to Blakeney then along the marsh perimeter to Wells. Blakeney is a worthy stopping point to explore Mariners Hill and the Guildhall and take in the legends of the Blakeney tunnels and the tragic story of the Blakeney Fiddler who is depicted on the village sign.

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South West Coast Path - Osmington to Lulworth

A 7 mile walk along the South West Coast Path From Osmington to Lulworth Cove

A spectacular but demanding walk along the Dorset section of the South West Coast Path. The huge undulating cliffs present challenges to overcome but the scenery is magnificent beyond doubt that will leave one gasping in awe. Probably one of the most iconic sections of the whole south West Coast Path culminating in familiar landmark of Durdle Door.

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Dunwich to Walberswick

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

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South West Coast Path - Sennen Cove to Pendeen

A rewarding 9 mile walk along the South West Coast Path between Sennen Cove and Pendeen

This is a spectacular section of the South West Coast Path following the rugged cliffs on the western edge of Cornwall. There are a few challenges with the craggy terrain through to Cape Cornwall but the scenery is well worth the effort. The last stage is littered with the remnants of old mine workings that nestle into the cliff sides. These crumbling deserted edifices to old industry now sit aesthetically with their surroundings and at one with nature.

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Porlock Weir to County Gate Walk Summary

A simple 6 mile walk from Porlock Weir to County Gate Car Park

The walk navigates along the higher SWCP route through to Wheatham Combe from where the County Gate car park can be reached along bridleways. This route has the advantage of some fantastic views over the coast as opposed to the lower route through the wooded lower reaches of the cliffs. This walk does need the assistance of a friend or acquaintance to provide a return journey between the two ends of the walk, alternatively the walk can use the lower SWCP to make a circular route.

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Dads Army Weekend 2015

An easy 9 mile Norfolk coastal walk to visit the Dads Army weekend hosted on the North Norfolk Railway

The third episode of the sixth series of the popular British comedy series Dad's Army was titled 'The Royal Train' in which King George VI was due to pass through Walmington-on-Sea and the platoon were to form a guard of honour. The location chosen to film this episode was Weybourne station on the North Norfolk Railway and each year this is celebrated with a Dad's Army weekend where a group of enthusiasts from the Dads Army Museum in Thetford re-enact this memorable episode.

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