Southwold to Walberswick via Marshes

Southwold to Walberswick via Marshes is a 7.4 mile loop trail located near Southwold, Suffolk, England that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching.

Length7.4 miElevation gain577 ftRoute typeLoop

Description

Waypoints (4)

Getting There

This walk starts anywhere along the sea front in Southwold, up through the harbour and then around the Walberswick village across the nature reserve and through the extensive reedbeds that divide Walberswick village from the sea. The route is more or less flat but has much of interest all the way - the busy harbour, Walberswick nature reserve, woodland, reedbeds, Walberswick village and of course Southwold. The start and end point for this walk is the corner of East Street in Southwold, which just happens to be adjacent to the Lord Nelson pub. Just the place to finish this walk! Parts of this route can get quite muddy, particularly around and through the reedbeds although alternative paths do exist if very wet. Whilst heavy walking boots are not always necessary, do ensure you have good grip and something that will cope with puddles.The reedbeds can also be fairly overgrown in part. You may come across grazing sheep in Walberswick nature reserve so please take particular care with dogs.

Southwold to Bailey Bridge

The start of the walk is identified as the corner of East Street where it meets the sea front, but wherever you start from simply make your way to the front and walk south along the promenade in the direction of Walberswick (keep sea to your left) and along the sand dunes or sea shore until you reach the harbour entrance. This marks the end point of the River Blyth. Turn right and walk up Ferry Road until you get to the Harbour Inn. You will pass the ferry (a rowing boat that takes foot passengers between Southwold Harbour and Walberswick), all sorts of fishing boats and stores, pleasure boats and the home of the Coastal Voyager (great fun if you want a short high speed trip around Sole Bay). Once at the Inn follow the path alongside the river until you reach the metal bridge that crosses the Blyth. This is the old Southwold Railway bridge, a light railway opened in 1879 that ran from Halesworth to Southwold but closed in 1929. OS Ref: TM509760

52.3246877, 1.6805434

Walberswick Common

Turn left and walk over the bridge, but do pause to look up river. Tinkers Marshes are on the left and Reydon Marshes on the right. Follow the obvious and well worn path which is the old railway track. The path starts to curve away to the left once through the marshes - there's a small car park and seat here. The old railway track-bed continues straight on so turn off the metalled path and take the path over Walberswick Common. Just imagine yourself going straight on rather than curving away to the left to get directly to Walberswick village. You can either walk through the old railway cutting (which I prefer) or along the common just to the left of the trackbed. Go through the gate adjacent to the sign welcoming you to Walberswick National Nature Reserve and continue straight on until you reach the road and Eastwoodlodge Farm will be just to your right. Walk along the road briefly until you reach the path on the left that crosses the corner of the field opposite the farm. This takes you to another gate and Walberswick National Nature Reserve sign. Once through this gate go straight on for a short way until you reach the corner of the woodland. The path goes to the left of the wood, down a slight slope keeping the wood on your right and then curves round to the left, slightly uphill and to the Lodge Road gate. OS Ref: TM487753

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Oldtown Marshes and Walberswick Village

Cross Lodge Road and follow the track. Do not take the first path to the left that skirts round the field but get to the gate just ahead and go left. If you go through the gate and straight on you will get to the right place a bit later - just turn left when the track meets the marshes. This will take you out into the marshes along a broad track. Walk along this until you get to the old wind pump base. Take the path to the left (mostly a boardwalk) to walk alongside the Dunwich River. Keep along the path with the river to your immediate right. You will get to a footbridge that would take you over to the sea front. Ignore this unless the ground is very wet (this will be obvious!) and continue with the river to your immediate right. This path can get a bit boggy if very wet - if so take the footbridge and walk along the sea front instead. You will get to another footbridge, but turn left along the track that brings you out in the village of Walberswick. If you have gone along the sea front this track is immediately before the beach huts and shelters. OS Ref: TM480742

52.3098549, 1.6367537

Walberswick to Southwold

In the centre of the village there's a selection of small craft shops, cafes, galleries and a visitor centre. Follow the road towards the harbour again turn left and walk up the Blyth (back inland) to Bailey Bridge, back down to the sea front and along the front to Southwold. If the ferry is running you could take this and cut out repeating the harbour walk if you so desire. OS Ref: TM498745

52.3117313, 1.663324

The walk starts from East Street where it meets the sea front. Approximate post code IP18 6EJ. Parking is available in many parts of Southwold but can get very busy, especially at weekends and holiday periods although between autumn and Easter you can almost see tumbleweed blow down the streets. During the rest of the year and if you are early and lucky you may be able to park along the front (North Parade) but otherwise there are car parks near the pier, in Gardner Road or on the Common. If travelling by train the nearest stations are Halesworth or Darsham, each about 10 miles away. There are buses operated by Anglian Coaches from Halesworth station to the Market Place in Southwold. The 601 service runs regularly every day of the week (separate Sunday service, but still runs).

Weather

UV Index

Daylight

Reviews (10)

Photos (92)

Recordings (9)

Completed (22)

Pooks Together

December 15, 2020

Hiking

A perfect trail along different terrain. Some of which is slightly muddy when wet but one of our favourites. A couple of nice coffee options en route having started with chips from Mark’s in Southwold.

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John Stafford

November 18, 2020

Hiking

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Toby B

November 4, 2020

Hiking

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James Theobald

October 25, 2020

Hiking

Lovely walk through the harbour and the marshes and woods

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Lili B

September 12, 2020

HikingGreat!

First to Review

The walk itself was great. Lots of variety. However parking in Southwold is a nightmare unless you start really early in the day. We ended up driving to Walberswick and starting from there instead. There is a ferry you can take which will cut out some of the route.