Starting at a single row of cottages known as Shingle Street, you'll head up the coast to the river mouth at Orford Haven before cutting inland through fields and along well-signposted tracks and lanes back to the start.

Why it's special
From the Martello tower that marks your starting point, built to protect England from invasion during the Napoleonic wars, to some well-preserved second world war pillbox defences, this walk has an impressive military pedigree. Just up the coast is Orford Ness, where the first experiments with radar were conducted in the 1930s, while Shingle Street itself has been the subject of fevered speculation ever since it was evacuated in 1940. Conspiracies include rumours of a German landing and a shoreline littered with burning bodies, schemes to protect the coastline with an impenetrable barrage of flames and the testing of experimental chemical bombs. Four dead German airmen were certainly washed up on the beach, and weapons testing did result in the Lifeboat Inn being blown up. As for the rest, the conspiracy theories rumble on.

Find the whole walk here
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2009/jun/08/shingle-street-walking-guide-suffolk

How to get there
By car
From Ipswich, take the A12 towards Woodbridge, then the A1152 towards Melton. Take the second exit at the roundabout after the river, towards Hollesley, then follow signs to Shingle Street.

By public transport
Take the Ipswich-to-Lowestoft train and get off at Melton, but it's an 11km walk to the start, mostly on minor roads with no pavement.

#beach #coast #coastal #suffolk #uk #england #britain #walk

Find Hotel with a Concierge in Woodbridge

Change your mind

Book hotels with free cancellation

deals illustration

Treat yourself

Sign in to save 10% or more on thousands of hotels

bed illustration

Be picky

Search almost a million properties worldwide

Check availability on Woodbridge Hotel with a Concierge

Tonight

Tomorrow

This weekend

Next weekend

13 Jun - 15 Jun

Top Woodbridge Hotel with a Concierge

Luxury Suite | Living area | LCD TV

"A lovely venerable property with superb pool and spa, and a great restaurant. "

AED 973 total

includes taxes & fees

16 Jun - 17 Jun

Recent reviews of Woodbridge hotels

Seckford Hall Hotel & Spa

5/5 Excellent

"A lovely venerable property with superb pool and spa, and a great restaurant. "

A verified traveler stayed at Seckford Hall Hotel & Spa

Posted 2 months ago

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Find More Hotels near Woodbridge

More Hotel Options in Woodbridge

Hotels near popular Woodbridge Attractions

Woodbridge Hotels by Star Rating

87ee0803-7fd3-4193-a3c5-009b9d3d064761f6d78a-989f-4a7a-bd00-d5315b81011e