Guidebook to 3 long-distance walking routes exploring the varied landscapes of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB. The walks described in this book - the Suffolk Coast Path, the Stour and Orwell Walk and the Sandlings Walk - link together to provide a comprehensive and varied circuit of the entire Suffolk Heritage Coast. All routes can be walked year-round and are suitable for walkers of every ability.

• The Suffolk Coast Path (presented in 8 stages) stretches along the coast between Lowestoft and Landguard Fort, close to Felixstowe in the south, a total distance of 60 miles (97km) depending on whether beach walking or inland options are followed
• The Stour and Orwell Walk (presented in 5 stages) continues where the Suffolk Coast Path ends, starting at Landguard Point and threading for 40 miles (64km) around the estuaries of the Stour and Orwell rivers to finish at Cattawade, close to the Essex border
• The Sandlings Walk (59 miles/94.5km) is presented in 7 stages and explores the heathland region that lies immediately inland from the Suffolk coast. The majority of the route lies entirely within the confines of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB
• Step-by-step descriptions for each walk accompanied by 1:50,000 OS mapping
• Information on local points of interest and comprehensive planning information

OS map key

Overview map

Foreword by Simon Amstutz

Introduction

Three Long-Distance Walks

Geology

History of the Landscape

Wildlife and Flowers

Culture and Heritage

Getting There and Back

Ferries

When to Go

What to Take

Food and Accommodation

Waymarks and Access

Safety

Maps

Using This Guide

THE SUFFOLK COAST PATH

Stage 1 Lowestoft to Covehithe

Stage 2 Covehithe to Southwold

Stage 3 Southwold to Dunwich

Stage 4 Dunwich to Thorpeness

Stage 5 Thorpeness to Snape Maltings

Stage 6 Snape Maltings to Chillesford

Stage 7 Chillesford to Shingle Street

Stage 8 Shingle Street to Landguard Fort, Felixstowe

Suffolk Coast Path/Stour and Orwell Walk Link

THE STOUR AND ORWELL WALK

Stage 1 Trimley St Mary to Nacton

Stage 2 Nacton to Orwell Bridge, Ipswich

Stage 3 Orwell Bridge, Ipswich to Pin Mill

Stage 4 Pin Mill to Lower Holbrook

Stage 5 Lower Holbrook to Cattawade

THE SANDLINGS WALK

Stage 1 Ipswich to Woodbridge via Martlesham Heath

Stage 2 Woodbridge to Upper Hollesley Common

Stage 3 Upper Hollesley Common to Butley via Rendlesham Forest

Stage 4 Butley to Snape Maltings via Tunstall Forest

Stage 5 Snape Maltings to Thorpeness

Stage 6 Thorpeness to Dunwich Heath

Stage 7 Dunwich Heath to Southwold

Appendix A Route Summary Table

Appendix B Useful Contacts

Appendix C Further Reading

Seasons

all the routes can be walked at any time of year; summer is the busiest time and accommodation may be hard to find during the Aldeburgh Festival in June; spring and autumn are best for watching birds; winter has its own charm when you may find that you have the place to yourself

Centres

Lowestoft, Southwold, Felixstowe and Ipswich

Difficulty

all of these coast and heath walks are easy for those of moderate fitness; no special ability or equipment is necessary and the only challenge comes from attempting to complete the long-distance routes in succession as a multi-day itinerary

Must See

Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB; once-great sea ports like Southwold, Dunwich and Aldeburgh; a landscape characterised by estuaries, marshes, dunes, sand and shingle beaches; unique scenery and wildlife

August 2019

Route Updates

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