Walberswick and Dunwich Circular Route

The area between Dunwich and Walberswick villages offers some of the finest coastal walking in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This walk starts in the historic village of Walberswick, just over the river from Southwold. It passes through Westwood Marshes, part of the Walberswick National Nature Reserve. A variety of birds can be spotted flying over the marshes, including Marsh Harriers, or heard hidden in the reeds, including bitterns – listen for their low booming call. After reaching Dunwich, once the largest medieval town in East Anglia, but now mostly lost to the sea, the walk returns along the beach giving you a chance to enjoy the real Suffolk coast.

Directions to start: Walberswick is on the B1387, off the A12 east of Blythburgh, north of Ipswich. The walk starts from the visitor centre on the village green.

There is a car park on Ferry Road which can be found by continuing to the end of the B1387, the village green is also on this road. Alternatively for a longer walk it is possible to park in Southwold and walk south, over the bailey bridge, to reach Walberswick.

Nearest train station: 7 miles (Halesworth or Darsham).

Start Nat GR TM 498748.

Points of interest: Historic villages of Walberswick and Dunwich, Westwood and Dingle Marshes, Dunwich forest, bird watching, Dunwich beach.