Southwold Circular via Buss Creek and Marsh

This walk starts from anywhere along the sea front or near the pier, so make your way to the front and walk along until you pass the pier at the north end of the promenade. The pier was restored in the 1980s and is now a fine sight with the obligatory restaurant, cafe, gift shops and amusements - but given this is Southwold they are rather more tasteful and restrained than others. The main pier building is due for rebuilding later in 2010 to make a small hotel. Walk through the car park and past the boating pools to reach the footpath sign to the left that goes through the reedbeds. Take this path keeping what is left of Buss Creek to your right. This creek is now more or less dried up for much of its length, but still remains boggy and a haven for all sorts of wildlife. Follow this path curving round to follow Buss Creek until you reach the main A1095 road that leads into Southwold. OS Ref: TM511767

Cross the main road and continue to follow the path keeping Buss Creek on your right. Theres a little wooden footbridge that provides a better view of the creek and reeds, but continue along the path with the creek on your right hand side. You will arrive at a point where footpaths cross - just continue straight on through the gate keeping (what's left of) Buss Creek to your right. You will see the marshes and the River Blyth away to the right and this path soon joins the river at the point where the former Southwold Light Railway crossed the Blyth on Bailey Bridge. The current bridge is supported on the old columns into the river-bed, but is a more modern top. Do not cross the bridge although do take a look up the river, especially if you're there in the evening with the sun going down. The views and light can make a tremendous picture! OS Ref: TM504768

From Bailey Bridge walk along the path keeping the river on your right hand side. You will shortly pass (or even stop in) the Harbour Inn. Interesting to see the mark on the wall showing how far floods have reached. Continue to walk down the side of the Blyth through the harbour until you reach the sea. There's all sorts of sights, sounds and smells from the harbour - there is still fishing based here but many of the fishing boats have been displaced by pleasure craft. Dependent upon time of day there are small stores where you can buy excellent fresh fish or fish and chips. Nearer the sea there's the Walberswick ferry and pleasant views across to Walberswick village.

Once you reach the mouth of the River Blyth you have once again reached the north sea. Walk along the sand dunes, taking care not to disturb any birds that may be trying to nest, and the familiar beach huts and sights of Southwold take over. Walk along the sea front, promenade or through the town as you wish until you get back to the pier. If you have not seen it do walk through the town to visit the pubs and shops. There's something to please almost all tastes! It is also well worth stopping to see St Edmund's Church and, if your visit coincides with an open day, the lighthouse. OS Ref: TM504748