Suffolk Heritage Coast Walk & River Deben – King’s Coast Path

Set off walking alongside the Common down to Southwold Harbour, where you’ll cross the River Blyth to Walberswick either by small foot ferry in summer (payable locally) or over the historic footbridge. A land of vast beaches and wrap-around skies, head through reedbeds to the haunting village of Dunwich, once the capital of East Anglia, now lost under the waves. Pop in to the fascinating museum and don’t miss the ruins of Greyfriars priory clinging to the clifftops.

Across heather-clad Dunwich Heath you’ll be reaching for your binoculars and will certainly get good use out of them when you land at the RSPB reserve at Minsmere! Continuing southwards, the path combines coast and inland countryside as it weaves its way past Leiston-cum-Sizewell and fragile cliffs of the dramatic, eroding coastline towards Thorpeness – a complete holiday village built in 1910 around its own man-made boating lake. Look out for the House in the Clouds, but that’s not the only the quirky landmark here. From mock towers and half-timbered houses to a colourful ‘Georgian’ crescent and weatherboarded fishermen’s ‘villas’, it’s a whimsical Edwardina vision of ’olde England’.

From Thorpeness, the beach path leads past North Warren Nature Reserve, Aldeburgh’s forgotten Tudor harbourlands and Maggi Hambling’s famous Scallop sculpture to the elegant resort of Aldeburgh where you’ll spend the night.

Overnight: Aldeburgh

Mileage: Min 15 Max 15

Following the River Alde inland along a path once used by farm-workers-cum-sailors, laundry maids, smugglers and excise men, when you get to the heathlands of Snape Warren and reedbeds on the approach to Snape Bridge, the beautiful setting of Snape Maltings is simply breath-taking. Take time out to relax in the pub or tea-rooms at this impressive cultural hub whose focus it the world-renowned Snape Maltings concert hall. Explore galleries and antique shops or take a boat trip to explore the upper reaches of the Alde.

When you’re ready to make a move towards Orford, there’s a choice of wonderful walk routes to suit your mood or interests. So what’s it to be? Via the impressive castle and quaint quayside of Orford? An inland route through Tunstall Forest? Or a longer walk to enjoy the company of the River Alde for just a little longer?

Overnight: Orford

Mileage: Min 14 Max 18

Heading out from Orford, choose to steer inland or, subject to availability, take the Butley Ferry, the smallest licensed ferry in Europe and one with a fascinating monastic heritage. Whichever route you go for, the paths eventually converge to continue along the peaceful banks of the River Ore to Shingle Street, where the clue’s in the name. It’s a quiet and inspiring spot, where the vegetated shingle beach stretches for miles to a backdrop of a lonely Martello Tower and coastguard cottages, and the river finally reaches the sea.

A sea wall walk passing Martello Towers and World War II gun emplacements, leads to the Bawdsey’s crumbling cliffs, its neo-Jacobean manor house and charming quayside. The foot ferry across the River Deben (payable locally – journey time approx. 10 mins) is the way to reach the little fishing hamlet of Felixstowe Ferry. Finally, clock up two more Martello Towers and even more stunning sea views as you follow the seawall and clifftop path towards the Edwardian seaside resort of Felixstowe.

Overnight: Felixstowe

Mileage: Min 13 Max 17

Retrace your steps towards Felixstowe Ferry, walking along the Edwardian seafront and clifftops, past the spot where St Felix is said to have landed in the 600s and the long-lost Roman site of Walton Castle. Beyond the two Martello towers, the ultra-quaint foot ferry will carry you across the mouth of the River Deben and back to Bawdsey where your exploration of the beautiful banks of the River Deben begins.

At Bawdsey Quay, a touching memorial recalls the unique role this remote patch of Suffolk played in wartime conflicts. Their stories are shared in the Bawdsey Radar interactive museum located in a bunker nearby. Following the Deben-side path inland, discover wildlife-rich wetlands and river beaches on route to Ramsholt, where there’s a round-towered church to visit on the hilltop, and a tempting riverside pub to rest up in, which had its moment of fame in Danny Boyle’s 2019 romantic comedy ‘Yesterday’. Look out for fossil shells in the red crag river-cliffs and fossil sharks’ teeth on the river beaches. Sandy soils and heathlands are the order of the day and the landscape feels hauntingly ancient. That’s certainly true of Sutton Hoo, the site of an Anglo-Saxon ship burial and the richest royal burial ever discovered in Britain. Take the short detour to visit the mounds, to walk the undulating landscapes high above the River Deben and enjoy the fascinating exhibitions which tell the story of King Raedwald and his people.

Finally, it’s only a handful of river-hugging miles to Woodbridge’s iconic white tide mill and marina. Even on the outskirts of town, there’s lots of birdlife to look out for from cormorant to oystercatcher and curlew. At Whistocks Place, you’ll find the Woodbridge Museum and The Longshed where you can see a replica vessel of the Sutton Hoo ship being built before your eyes!
The historic market town of Woodbridge is full of interest, so don’t miss a walk up to the Shire Hall and St Mary’s Church on Market Hill, or the picturesque cottages lining the tiny lanes running from the Thoroughfare down to the quayside and boatyards.

Overnight: Woodbridge

Mileage: Min 15.8 Max 15.8
(Option to stop at Sutton Hoo with taxi (payable locally) to Woodbridge, reduces walk by 2.8 miles)
Ferry: Felixstowe Ferry to Bawdsey (journey time – approx. 10 mins)

Depart after breakfast, or what about a visit to the Tide Mill living museum to bag yourself some flour, ground by the tidal powers of the River Deben itself?