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 all hotels by Independent in Woodbridge from AED 244

Plan, book, stay with confidence

Be picky

Search almost a million properties worldwide

Treat yourself

Change your mind

Book hotels with free cancellation

Check prices for these dates

Tonight

Tomorrow

This weekend

Next weekend

Compare rooms and suites by Independent in Woodbridge with rates, reviews, and availability. Most hotels are fully refundable.

"Property was well maintained - staff were lovely and the trip was most enjoyable - I will be returning!"

AED 493 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Apr - 28 Apr

Premium bedding, in-room safe, desk, iron/ironing board

"The hotel was set in lovely grounds, forming "

AED 569 total

includes taxes & fees

11 May - 12 May

Indoor pool, open 7:30 AM to 8:30 PM, sun loungers

"I like the quiet and private location as its relaxing ."

AED 311 total

includes taxes & fees

11 May - 12 May

"Lovely place "

AED 1,575 total

includes taxes & fees

30 Apr - 1 May

"Lovely staff and excellent breakfast. Nice hotel. "

AED 395 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Apr - 28 Apr

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

AED 833 total

includes taxes & fees

1 May - 2 May

"Good service and nice location Easy parking "

Deluxe Double Room | Premium bedding, desk, laptop workspace, iron/ironing board

"Nice hotel Nice staff Good food"

AED 464 total

includes taxes & fees

27 Apr - 28 Apr

Save an average of 15% on thousands of hotels when you're signed in

Recent reviews of Woodbridge hotels

5/5 Excellent

Comfortable

"Lovely building, but with all the required modern appliances in the rooms. We had a really comfortable one nights stay"

A verified traveler stayed at Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel

Posted 3 days ago

5/5 Excellent

Beautiful Property next to University of Essex

"A beautiful property with a lovely historical charm- though a bit on the expensive side. The reception team was incredibly friendly and accommodating. I stayed in the Hilton room for a night before my graduation at the University of Essex, and it made the occasion feel even more special."

A verified traveler stayed at Wivenhoe House Hotel

Posted 4 days ago

5/5 Excellent

"We really enjoyed our family break. The hotel was gorgeous, so clean and comfortable. We would definitely book to go here again. We really enjoyed all the facilities and a fabulous game of football golf, which was fun for all the family. We couldn’t have asked for anything more. "

A verified traveler stayed at Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort

Posted 4 days ago

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Find all hotels by Independent in Woodbridge from AED 244

Plan, book, stay with confidence

Check prices for these dates

Compare rooms and suites by Independent in Woodbridge with rates, reviews, and availability. Most hotels are fully refundable.

Ufford Park Woodbridge Hotel, Golf & Spa

Wivenhoe House Hotel

Muthu Belstead Brook Hotel

The Westleton Crown

The Coach House Suffolk

Seckford Hall Hotel & Spa

Heritage Grange At Thurston

Hotel Coco

Wherry Hotel

Orwell Hotel

Recent reviews of Woodbridge hotels

Best Western The Rose & Crown Hotel

The Aviator, formerly Smugglers Cove, Clacton On Sea by Marston's Inns

Holiday Inn Ipswich by IHG

The Westleton Crown

easyHotel Ipswich

Holiday Inn Express Colchester by IHG

Wivenhoe House Hotel

Seckford Hall Hotel & Spa

Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort

Explore a world of travel with Expedia

Hotels near popular Woodbridge Attractions

More Hotel Options in Woodbridge

More Accommodation Types in Woodbridge

Hotels in Popular Destinations

Explore more hotels