Down the Blyth Valley in Pursuit of Black Shuck

An 18 mile walk down the Blyth Valley in Suffolk from Halesworth to Blythburgh, then across the heaths and commons to Leiston.

It was the legendary hell hound that supposedly came this way in 1577 and terrified parishioners of Blythbrugh church after doing a similar job at Bungay. This walk is in two sections, the first section follows the River Blyth along the Waveney Way to Blythburgh with the option to continue on to Southwold. The Waveney Way is a Ramblers Association walk and does not have waymarkers along the route. An optional second section cuts across to Westleton and onto Leiston. Both Southwold and Leiston have public transport links to Halesworth making the walk achievable as a linear route without the requirement of assistance of a taxi.

Read More

Southwold to Blythburgh along the former Southwold Railway

A linear walk along the former trackbed of the Southwold Railway to Blythburgh

The Southwold Railway was a narrow gauge line that linked Halesworth and Southwold. This closed in 1929 but the track bed is still in existence to Blythburgh and makes an excellent walk. The White Hart pub offers a place for refreshment before returning along the same route. Outstanding views across the Blyth estuary and easy walking across heath and woodland make this a well worthwhile excursion.

Read More

Leiston to Westwood Marsh

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.

Read More

In search of the lost Suffolk village of Hethern

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.

Read More

The Aftermath of the 2013 Storm Surge Dunwich to Walberswick

A 8 mile beach walk to witness the damage caused by the 2013 Storm Surge

The December 2013 Storm Surge caused widespread flooding of the marshes between Dunwich and Walberswick and along the Blyth estuary, closing the main A12 road at Blythburgh for three days. With most of the waters receded, this was the first opportunity to witness the damage caused to this vulnerable section of coastal marsh. Damage to the boardwalks and bridges have currently blocked access along the Suffolk Coast Path although the Beach Route is still accessible providing the tide is right.

Read More

Wenhaston Circular Walk

A ramble of the heaths and commons around the Suffolk village of Wenhaston

This walk is one of Suffolk's hidden secrets that will not fail to impress. The village of Wenhaston lies on the back road between Blythburgh and Halesworth and is probably missed by most folk travelling in this direction.

The village is centred on a number of ancient heaths and commons which have now becomes havens of nature and which this walk navigates around. Blackheath, Church marshes, Bickers Heath are all visited on this specific walk. There is also the traditional pub in the Star Inn, unspoilt and well worth visiting for its food and range of ales. There is also a reputedly haunted area known as Peggys Stile which is located where the footpath exits onto the road just up from the pub. A stile no longer exists at this location but local folklore warns of the ghostly spectre of Peggy who, depending upon the version that is told, was either a witch or donkey.

The highlight of the walk is at the end, namely St Peter's church which hosts an artwork known as the Wenhaston Doom. This magnificent painting, which depicts the Last Judgement, dates from the late 15th century and was reputedly painted by a Blythburgh monk. The painting was discovered during Victorian restoration of the church in 1892 when the decaying whitewashed wooden boards above the chancel arch were taken down and left outside, some say to be used as firewood. That night it rained and the whitewash was washed away revealing the painting which had been hidden since the time of the reformation. What is remarkable about this painting is that, unlike other surviving medieval art which were painted onto plaster, this is still bright and vivid and is the only such example in the country.

Read More

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

Read More

Wroxham to Norwich via Spixworth

A 10 mile linear walk between Wroxham and Norwich

Walk linking the Bittern Railway Line stations of Wroxham and Norwich. The route cuts across to Spixworth using tracks and country lanes from where there is pedestrian access through to the centre of Norwich. Spixworth has an interesting history of folklore which is discussed in the features of this walk.

Read More

Leiston to Walberswick Circular Walk

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.

Read More

2013 Storm Surge at Sizewell and Thorpeness

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.

Read More

The Sandlings Walk - Knodishall to Sizewell Belts

A 9 mile circular walk that links Knodishall and Sizewell Belts along Suffolk's Sandlings Trail

An easy walk across the typical heaths and commons of Coastal East Suffolk that make up the Sandlings. There is woodland, marsh, and rambling sandy heath full of flora fauna and wildlife.

NOTE: The section from Sizewell through to Leiston Common, Sizewell Belts is no longer part of the official Sandlings path. It has been rerouted along the beach in front of the power station and then through Kenton Hill woods. This Sizewell Belts walk as described here is still accessible using permissive paths.

Read More