Summer Walks In Suffolk – Walberswick And Southwold

Summer Walks In Suffolk

Walberswick to Southwold Circular Walking Route

Starting off our journey from Walberswick Green we made our way to the Walberswick side of Southwold Harbour which is a short walk from the Bell Inn. A fine establishment that we would be returning to on our way back! This was more of a relaxing stroll rather than a good walk so it was flip flops, walking shorts and a windproof jacket.

It was one of those days that was really hot when the wind wasn’t blasting in your face!! When we reached the harbour we turned left along the banks of the water to find a bridge further along. Here we crossed the bridge and continued straight on until we reached a signpost taking us over the common to Southwold.

For the rest of the day’s photographs please click here: Walberswick and Southwold Photos

The signpost to Walberswick from Southwold

The common is actually a golf course and once through we had a very clear view of the water tower. We reached the road where all the cars park up for the day and turned left heading towards the church and then turned right until we reached Southwold Square where we had a meander around the shops before reaching the beach. We turned left at the Sailors Reading Rooms and then past a great view of the lighthouse on our left towards the pier.

Southwold Pier April 2011

A quick shufty up and down the pier and we made our way back to the sea wall and walked all the way along passed the canons and lawns until the concrete turned to sand, where we turned right to get back down to the road. We then continued to walk along the road until we reached Southwold Harbour where we had a very short wait to get on board the ferry to take us back to Walberswick and the Bell Inn some 3 hours later and about 4 or so miles, it was a lovely day, very windy, and a very relaxing walk.

Southwold Harbour Ferry

 

Summer Walks In Suffolk – Walberswick To Dunwich

Summer Walks In Suffolk – Walberswick To Dunwich Circular Walk

This is a really easy walking route to follow although the wind, forestry and beach shingle requires some decent walking gear, windproof jacket, sturdy walking boots and maybe walking poles. The weather in April 2001 was fantastic albeit very windy so we donned our walking shorts strolled out at 10am from Walberswick Green, by the village sign.

Click here for all of the photographs from this walk: Summer Walks In Suffolk

Walking with my Craghoppers Walking Poles Walberswick Suffolk April 2011

Walking out of Walberswick we head up passed The Anchor Pub up to the shop and just before the fork in the road. Turning left just after we headed towards the sea before turning right at the obvious junction. Here we find the blue and yellow Suffolk Coastal Walk signs which is what we then followed until we reached Dunwich. Along the way we past a couple of World War II Pillboxes through the Walberswick National Nature Reserve which is quite impressive with the wildlife available to see; Bitterns, Marsh Harriers, Rabbits, Adders, Sheep, Cows etc.

Adder Found In Dunwich Forest Suffolk April 2011

After meandering some lovely forestry and bright yellow gorse we headed towards the very clear sight of the disused Walberswick Windpump which then turns right back in to some pleasant forestry and on through Dingle Marshes which is a huge expanse of reeds. Passing through two stock gates we entered Dunwich Forest whereby we found a flint wall where some of the stones looked like eyes.

We then passed the Bridge Tearooms and then turned left on to the road to the church before turning left following the signs for the beach. There were many warning signs saying the route was closed but as we saw plenty of walkers we continued to follow the shingle beach back towards Walberswick.

Dunwich was once the largest medieval town in East Anglia before the aggressive seas eroded the coastline. This is evident along the shingle walk where the sea has entered the freshwater rivers and streams of the marshes. After a good 25 minutes of shingle we took the first exit of the beach back in to the marshes which offered a more stable walking surface. Here we then joined back up to the windpump and turned right to rejoin the Suffolk Coastal Path back to Walberswick.

Walking The Shingle Beach At Dunwich To Walberswick April 2011

The path zig zags passed a caravan park and ends up to almost where we started with the village green sign back in view. This was a great walk that we really enjoyed and took us just over 2 hours and a good 7 miles. We then walked around to the other side of the green to our right, where we enjoyed a few pints at the The Bell Inn, a 600 year old inn serving great ales!

Walberswick Village Sign Suffolk April 2011