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

"Lovely cosy property perfect for a relaxing weekend. Nice towns nearby with castles to visit etc"

"Lovely cottage with everything you need. Very pretty garden with nesting black bird with babies how wonderful to hear their tweets!"

"The Lodge has everything you need for a peaceful getaway. It’s modern and comfortable and overlooks fields so completely private with hot tub, fire pit and bbq all ready to use The Nags Head pub does good food and is walking distance. Our Host David is lovely and put up a Happy Birthday Banner for my Hubby nice touch ⭐️ "

$184 nightly

Sep 29 - Sep 30

Total with taxes and fees

"Extremely well appointed lodge on a very peaceful site. Felt more like a residential park than holiday. Great location."

$393 nightly

Oct 3 - Oct 4

Total with taxes and fees

"Two adults stayed. Used both bedrooms. Very hot but able to open windows. Enjoyed the upstairs outside deck when we were there. Useful having washing machine. Plenty of street parking, but tight spaces & don’t rely on parking directly outside. Bathroom tiny but fit for purpose. Easy walk to beach front. Thank you "

$617 nightly

Oct 1 - Oct 2

Total with taxes and fees

"Amazing experience in London Derby.The kids loved all the activities available.The cottage was well equipped and was very quiet on site Would more than recommend to anyone "

$701 nightly

Oct 1 - Oct 2

Total with taxes and fees

$633 nightly

Oct 3 - Oct 4

Total with taxes and fees

"Great place to stay"

$574 nightly

Oct 2 - Oct 3

Total with taxes and fees

"We loved our stay, there was everything we needed and was so comfortable and cosy! Everything was spotless clean and we will definitely be coming again!"

"A comfortable, cosy cottage in a beautiful, quiet location, handily place for pubs."

"The property was lovely suited our requirements as it had a ground floor bedroom, no need to go upstairs. Had everything we required. Lovely kitchen and bathroom. The only downside was it had not be cleaned properly, worksurfaces still had food debris and both sofas needed a vacuum over, plus they were stained. Would certainly recommend the house."

$611 nightly

Oct 1 - Oct 2

Total with taxes and fees

"A nice little house. Behind the drawers it was very dirty. We stayed there for 2 weeks and there was only toilet roll. No spare bin bags. They never change the towes. "

$298 nightly

Oct 12 - Oct 13

Total with taxes and fees

"We had a wonderful stay in a wonderful fairy tale cottage . We loved the beautiful garden and the quietness."

$468 nightly

Oct 3 - Oct 4

Total with taxes and fees

"We rented for 4 nights for the sole purpose of getting away while work was being done in our house, so it was not a planned holiday. The old cow shed was perfect for a couple, everything you could want was there. It was warm comfortable and well equipped. Despite the snow and rain (early March) we explored Suffolk and had a lovely time. Nice pub in the village and another close by on the main A140."

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Top Woodbridge Hotel Reviews

Holiday Inn Express Colchester by IHG

10/10 Excellent

"All round very good would recommend "

easyHotel Ipswich

10/10 Excellent

"Booked for an overnight stay in Ipswich for early morning appointment. The hotel was central close to local bus terminus and close to a wide range of restaurants and bars. The hotel staff were friendly and helpful the rooms clean, quiet, and with good facilities. A little small but fantastic value for money and ideal for an overnight stay"

The Coach House Suffolk

10/10 Excellent

"We arrived around 5pm and they were ready for us. We were shown to a virtually new room in a block in the hotel grounds. Our bed was extremely comfortable and there was a brand new tv and new furniture. The room was warm and tended to by the hotel staff each day. Everything worked as it should and there was no noise to interrupt our sleep. Breakfast was included in our room rate and was served hot and well prepared. All in all, there was nothing to complain about. We will use The Coach House again when we visit family in Wrentham which is within a convenient distance by car (15 minutes). There were many returning guests at the hotel, which says a lot about how nice it is. Thanks to the staff and management for making our stay a success, well done *****."

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Woodbridge Cottages information

Number of reviews	178
Accommodation	150 Cottages
Lowest Price	$184
Highest Price	$842

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Cottages in Woodbridge

Mollett's Farm

Charming Character Cottage with pretty gardens. 10 Minutes walk to beach.

The Lodge - Luxury stay with Hot tub, fire-pit, 2 acres of private garden

Lodge 47

11a Manning Road

Lord Derby, Cottage with pool & hot tub, tranquil setting,20min from Southwold

The Bothy at Snape Hall

Polly's Annexe

1 bedroom accommodation in Thorpe Morieux, near Lavenham

Beautiful beach front property close to amenities.

Flat 19 By The Beach

Hot tub, masseuse, private chef, pizza oven, fire place and dog friendly

The Gildhall, Higham

3 bedroom accommodation in Reedham, near Acle

2 Pink Cottages, Aldeburgh

The Cowshed - UK10354

2 bedroom accommodation in Kessingland

Your perfect country cottage holiday awaits…

May Barn, Ixworth

1 bedroom accommodation in Thorndon, near Eye

Top Woodbridge Hotel Reviews

Holiday Inn Express Colchester by IHG

Muthu Belstead Brook Hotel

easyHotel Ipswich

Mermaid, Ipswich by Marston's Inns

Dunston Hall Hotel, Spa and Golf Resort

The Coach House Suffolk

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

The Westleton Crown

Ufford Park Woodbridge Hotel, Golf & Spa

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Woodbridge Cottages information