Suffolk Heritage Coast Walk – Seven Days

Walking down to Southwold Harbour you’ll cross the River Blyth (by small ferry in summer) and head through reedbeds to Dunwich,once the capital of East Anglia, now lost under the waves. Across the heather clad Dunwich Heath you reach the RSPB reserve at Minsmere and then hugging the coast you come to Sizewell.

Overnight: Dunwich

Mileage: Min 9 Max 9

Setting off southwards, along the cliffs is Thorpeness, a complete holiday village built in 1910, bordering a manmade pleasure lake. The House is the Clouds is the quirky landmark here.
The last stretch takes you along the beach path past the famous Scallop sculpture to the elegant resort of Aldeburgh where you’ll spend the night.

Overnight: Aldeburgh

Mileage: Min 8 Max 8

Following the River Alde inland you take the gentle route to Snape, home of the Aldeburgh Festival. From the path you can fully appreciate the beautiful setting of Snape Maltings.
At Snape you can relax in the pub or tea-rooms, explore the galleries and antique shops or take a boat trip on the upper reaches of the Alde.
Taxi transfer back to Aldeburgh for the night

Overnight: Aldeburgh

Mileage: Min 0 Max 6.5

After the taxi returns you to Snape, you have a choice of routes. The first takes you inland through Tunstall Forest. The longer alternative follows the River Alde as it flows along the coast, just separated from the sea by the narrow shingle spit of Orford Ness. Both routes lead to the now sleepy Elizabethan port of Orford, with its impressive castle and quaint quayside, where you spend the night

Overnight: Orford

Mileage: Min 7.5 Max 11

 From Orford you can choose to either walk inland or, subject to availability, take the Butley Ferry, the smallest licensed ferry in Europe. The paths meet and continue along the peaceful banks of the River Ore to Shingle Street, a quiet and beautiful spot where the river finally reaches the sea.
Taxi transfer back to Orford for the night

Overnight: Orford

Mileage: Min 7.5 Max 11.5

Walking along the sea wall passing Martello Towers and World War II gun emplacements you reach the crumbling cliffs at Bawdsey.  Here you have the option of taking the ferry across the River Deben to the little fishing village of Felixstowe Ferry before returning on the ferry for your taxi transfer back to Southwold or a Railway Station.

Mileage: Min 4.5 Max 4.5