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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$204 nightly

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$270 nightly

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"Clean, well equiped quality kitchen and bathroom. Costructive comment: a grap handle and shower mat would complete the bathroom."

$171 nightly

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$121 nightly

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$825 nightly

Aug 30 - Aug 31

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"Beautiful cottage in a great location. Felt at home straight away with all the amenities and more that you could want. Fantastic location, a stone's throw from the beach. Everything provided was tasteful and of a high spec/standard. Would definitely recommend to others to stay. Lucy was easy to contact and made sure we had everything we needed. Highly recommended. Fab host."

$398 nightly

Sep 7 - Sep 8

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"Our barn was very beautiful. The perfectly quiet night, no traffic noise. A real slice of heaven. Completely private outdoor space. Gorgeous shower. Sumptuous bed. Will definitely come again."

$193 nightly

Sep 4 - Sep 5

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$142 nightly

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$219 nightly

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"A beautiful cosy ex fisherman's cottage, very traditional feel. Well appointed and superbly situated in Southwold. Clean and welcoming, excellent communication with owners. Definitely like to visit again."

$400 nightly

Sep 9 - Sep 10

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