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

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Cottages in Woodbridge

Outdoor dining

"Ideal for a short break, we were attending a wedding in the area and the cottage was ideal."

SAR 513 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Oct - 16 Oct

2 bedrooms, individually decorated, individually furnished, free WiFi

SAR 2,350 total

includes taxes & fees

16 Oct - 17 Oct

Cottage | Front of property

"A lovely stay and great location for exploring Suffolk. Comfortable, well equipped cottage on lovely grounds with lake, games room (which our kids loved) and goslings."

SAR 1,824 total

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24 Oct - 25 Oct

Cottage | Interior

SAR 8,619 total

includes taxes & fees

24 Oct - 25 Oct

Exterior

"This is a nice relaxing location. I would recommend this place to everyone."

SAR 2,065 total

includes taxes & fees

17 Oct - 18 Oct

Cottage | Exterior

SAR 2,982 total

includes taxes & fees

19 Oct - 20 Oct

Cottage | Private kitchen | Stovetop, dishwasher, highchair, cookware/dishes/utensils

SAR 1,744 total

includes taxes & fees

16 Oct - 17 Oct

Exterior

"Beautiful cottage in a quaint Suffolk village. Tastefully decorated throughout. Well equiped kitchen. Large comfortable beds. Sunny garden. Short walk to a great pub with nice food. Respoonsive host. We had a great stay."

SAR 1,595 total

includes taxes & fees

14 Oct - 15 Oct

Exterior

"Communication from owner was clear, friendly and helpful. Property is fairly quiet, with lovely sitting room and log burner. Master bedroom was nice with plenty of space around the bed and openable windows to get the temperature right."

SAR 1,403 total

includes taxes & fees

14 Oct - 15 Oct

Cottage | Interior

SAR 2,465 total

includes taxes & fees

16 Oct - 17 Oct

Cottage | Front of property

SAR 5,242 total

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16 Oct - 17 Oct

Balcony

SAR 5,031 total

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17 Oct - 18 Oct

Exterior

SAR 1,919 total

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23 Oct - 24 Oct

Balcony

SAR 3,217 total

includes taxes & fees

19 Oct - 20 Oct

Cottage | Interior

"Cottage was clean and comfortable and close to places we wanted to visit."

SAR 1,604 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Oct - 28 Oct

Cottage | Property grounds

SAR 2,285 total

includes taxes & fees

24 Oct - 25 Oct

Fridge, dishwasher, electric kettle, toaster

SAR 3,162 total

includes taxes & fees

18 Oct - 19 Oct

Cottage | Property grounds

SAR 2,465 total

includes taxes & fees

20 Oct - 21 Oct

Exterior

SAR 3,533 total

includes taxes & fees

22 Oct - 23 Oct

Exterior

SAR 2,360 total

includes taxes & fees

26 Oct - 27 Oct

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Top Woodbridge Hotel Reviews

Ufford Park Woodbridge Hotel, Golf & Spa

Ufford Park Woodbridge Hotel, Golf & Spa

10/10 Excellent

"Very helpful staff. Lovely quirky room."

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