River Orwell Explorer – King’s Coast Path

Be sure to have those binoculars at the top of your rucksack on the start of your walk from the upper end of the Orwell estuary in the shadow of the mighty arches of the Orwell Bridge. There’s a short taxi ride from your hotel (included in tour price), but the start point sets the tone for the day – with awesome views and all sorts of interest! Perhaps catch some valley-top views and pick up some tempting local picnic goodies at the Suffolk Food Hall, before following your rural route along the southern side of the River Orwell on the King Charles III Coast Path, beyond Freston’s folly tower towards the marina village of Woolverstone.

All along the Orwell, mudflats prove a magnet for all sorts of waterfowl and wading birds. The wide river is popular with sailboats and craft of all sizes too, but then this is Arthur Ransome country. The famed children’s author of Swallows & Amazons lived and loved to sail here and there are information boards sharing need-to-know nuggets along the route. Stop off at the pub or green at Pin Mill – it’s a timeless spot to watch the world go by and the place where Ransome based his children’s adventure classic We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea.

Weave your way through Pin Mill Woods enjoying exciting glimpses of the River through the trees and beyond the colourful heathland, the river-hugging path reveals a vibrantly different world as your reach the confluence of the River Stour and Orwell. At Shotley Gate, there’s a unique perspective of the busy ports of Felixstowe and Harwich and their vast container ships to experience, but also a real impression of the military significance of this estuary over the centuries. Shotley has some poignant wartime reminders, including the museum about HMS Ganges and the Naval cemetery at St Mary’s hilltop church.

Taking the foot-ferry across the River Orwell to Felixstowe (payable locally), delivers 360 degree ‘Harwich Haven’ views and the military fortifications which flank the estuary. Walk alongside ‘ Napoleonic’ Landguard Fort which dates back to Henry VIII’s day in part, through Landguard Coastal Nature Reserve past the vast container-world of the Port of Felixstowe and you’re soon on Felixstowe’s seaside prom, passing the pier and fine villas on route to your hotel by the coast.

Overnight: Felixstowe.

Mileage: Min 12 Max 12
Ferry: Shotley to Landguard Felixstowe (journey time – approx. 27 mins)

Time to see the world from a different River Orwell perspective – and enjoy spotting from afar where your took you yesterday! Heading back to Ipswich via the northern bank of the River Orwell, the King Charles III Coast Path leads around the busy Port of Felixstowe, before emerging into the tranquillity of the Orwell estuary.
Enjoy the spectacle of Felixstowe’s beautiful range of historic seafront gardens as you set out south along the prom. Villas edging the garden terraces or above on the cliffs have all sorts of royal connections – with Mrs Wallis Simpson, The Maharajah Duleep Singh and Augusta Viktoria, Empress of Germany and Queen of Prussia who stayed at South Beach Mansion and put Felixstowe on the fashionable resort map in 1891!
Past the historic pier, urban and port side-paths lead on to arrive at Trimley Marshes – a nature reserve with a wartime history of its own, located near the River Orwell and featuring grassland, woodland and reservoir-waterside habitats with some great bird hides to exercise those binoculars! Keep a beady eye out for geese and godwits, and marsh harrier overhead. Levington is next up with its bustling marina, then it’s on to the peaceful stretch known as Nacton Shores, where the mighty Orwell Bridge starts to dominant up-river views again. The Orwell Country Park is another treat for nature lovers with woods, meadow and farmland landscapes lining up as your path leads up the valley side. Look out for Golden Plover and even Peregrine Falcon, and listen up for skylarks ascending!
Finish the day by joining the dots between your north band and south bank walks, viewing the river from the highest point of the King Charles III Coast Path in the East of England – from the top of the 45 metre high Orwell Bridge! The walkway alongside the dual carriage way shares amazing views out over the landscapes you have discovered, and down over the yachts and ships in the river channel.

A taxi transfer (included in the tour price) returns you to your hotel from the south bank of the river.

Overnight: Ipswich

Mileage: Min 14.6 Max 14.6

Depart after breakfast, or what about a stroll around the arboretum in Christchurch Park? And you’ll not want to miss Christchurch Mansion either. It’s an architectural stunner inside and out and is worth a visit just to see its collection of paintings by local-to-Suffolk Grand Masters, John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough.

Extra nights can be booked to allow more time to explore Ipswich at your leisure.