The Vulcan Arms - Sizewell - Suffolk

Suffolk Heritage Coastal Footpath

Lowestoft to Felixstowe

65 miles - 5 day sectional walk

The Suffolk Heritage Coastal Footpath is a long-distance footpath linking Lowestoft and Felixstowe. Using Sizewell as a base, this can be tackled in daily sections accessible by public and private transport. The advantage of this is that you can complete this long distance walk without the need to negotiate overnight stays or carry heavy rucksacks. The sections vary in difficulty but any experienced walker ought to be able to tackle this and have the reward of knowing they have completed a recognised long distance walk. It is advisable to use an Ordenance Survey map (maps 156 and 169)- although the majority of the route is well marked there are places where the maps will assist in navigation.

Section 1 - Lowestoft to Southwold (16 miles)

Travel by car to Southwold where there is an hourly bus service to Lowestoft. Free parking can be found in Southwold on the north side of the green (turn right at The Kings Head pub as you drive into the town centre). Alight from the bus at Lowestoft train station and follow the promenade south. Once at Pakefield there is the option of follwing the official route inland to avoid the coastal erosion or if it is not high water to follow the coast directly south. The beach is a mixture of sand and shingle and is not too hard going but gives great views of Benacre Broad and Coverhithe Broad.

Section 2 - Southwold to Dunwich (10 miles circular walk)

Travel by car to Dunwich - the beach car park is free. This can be treated as a circular walk taking the offical path north and then returning along the coast. From the car park walk up into Dunwich, past The Ship Inn and museum and keep going until the road veers to the left and a track leads off to the right. Follow the Coastal footpath signs through the woods and across the marshes to Walberswick. As this is a more leisurely days walk it is always good to take the ferry across to Southwold and explore (the 10 miles estimate includes walking into Southwold). Return south along the beach - this is shingle but there is a little sand by the water when it is not high tide - as you approach Dunwich it is best to cross to the marsh side of the shingle where it is easier walking.

Section 3 - Dunwich to Sizewell (15 miles circular walk)

No transport is needed here - merely walk the coastal footpath north to Dunwich Heath then follow the signs across the heath and through the woods down into Dunwich. To return, walk back to Dunwich Heath then an alternative route can be taken using the Sizewell Circular Walk 2 through Eastbridge and Sizewell Belts.

Section 4 - Sizewell to Snape Maltings (18 miles circular/10 miles with bus return)

Follow the footpath from Sizewell south along the coast - it turns inland just before Aldeburgh and takes you across to Black Heath Woods and along 'The Sailors Path' to Snape and Snape Maltings. Return can be either using footpaths across fields to Knodishall and Leiston or catch the 165 bus to Leiston (runs every 2 hours) from Snape. From Leiston walk down Red House lane towards the sports centre and keep following the track which will bring you out at Sizewell.

Section 5 - Snape Maltings to Felixstowe (21 miles)

This is by far the most strenuous of the sections. Catch the 165 bus from Leiston to Snape Maltings and follow the footpath signs south. The footpath takes you through Tunstall forest and down to Butley from where it follows the coast south to Bawdsey and Felixstowe Ferry. A word of caution here - the footpath follows the river/sea defences where, during the summer months, the grass tends to be long - although this is easy enough to walk through, if there has been any rain or dew it can thoroughly wet boots/trouser legs - wear cotton trousers and take extra pairs of socks just in case! At Bawdsey you can catch the ferry across the river and wander down into Felixstowe. Return via train to Ipswich and then either the 165 or 64 bus to Leiston from Ipswich bus station.