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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"We came to Suffolk to do some family tree research and Orford was a great place to stay. Although there wasn't dedicated parking, there was always plenty of space in the market square. The village itself is a lovely place to stay, with plenty of places to walk and explore. The cottage was clean and comfortable, and well equipped. "

"I had a fantastic stay at the Knox this week. The place was so cosy, beautifully decorated and all the amenities were easy to find/use. The bed and sofa were extremely comfy and the fish pond is an EXCELLENT bonus!"

Oven, stovetop, cookware/dishes/utensils, dining tables

"Good place to stay, communication was good as well"

"Shallow end was perfect for our stay, small but perfectly adequate. The bed was comfortable, the shower very good and the kitchen had everything we needed. The peace was wonderful with a great garden and views from the look out sublime."

Chalet (1 Bedroom) | 1 bedroom, travel crib, bed sheets

Apartment (2 Bedrooms) | Private kitchen | Microwave, oven, stovetop, dishwasher

Apartment (1 Bedroom) | Private kitchen | Microwave, oven, stovetop, dishwasher

"The Hayloft had everything we needed for a good stay, location good, bed was comfortable & shower great. However, it was let down by being in need of good Hoover/clean throughout and the radiators require bleeding as only two of the five radiators were working."

"Cottage pleasant, bed comfortable and well equipped. However, bathroom floor desperately needs some attention as floods bathroom floor and is in danger of flooding bedroom as floor is not level to drain properly. No shower gel as advertised.Pint of milk in fridge on arrival would have been helpful. The bottom of front door needs attention as warped, meaning you can’t fasten bottom bolt. Having said this, we would still come again but floor could Bea danger to people."

House (5 Bedrooms) | Private kitchen | Microwave, oven, stovetop, dishwasher

House (1 Bedroom) | Private kitchen | Oven, stovetop, toaster, cookware/dishes/utensils

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Top Woodbridge Hotel Reviews

Ufford Park Woodbridge Hotel, Golf & Spa

10/10 Excellent

"Great hotel: nice and very clean room. Good parking facilities. Excellent breakfast: full English Breakfast (buffet) and various fruit, bread, etc. Nice Health Club with excellent swimming pool."

Crown and Castle

10/10 Excellent

"Excellent service with genuine friendly staff. Brilliant team under leadership of manager John. Lovely room with everything you need for a comfortable stay including fresh flask of milk each day. Good menu choice in the restaurant with fresh fish and local meat all delicious. Plentiful breakfast of very high quality. Beautiful village with gorgeous walks on your doorstep packed with wildlife. "

Colston Hall Farmhouse B&B

10/10 Excellent

"We stayed here due to a wedding at nearby Bruisyard. It was a lovely stay and I couldn’t fault it, a beautiful setting full of nature and a very well preserved property. Liz was very accommodating allowing us to drop our luggage and car off earlier than check in; we also came down to a very very nice breakfast with something for everyone. "

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The Knox - Beautiful Two Bed Cottage Near Orford

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