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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Compare Woodbridge 2 Star Hotels with updated room rates, reviews, and availability. Most hotels are fully refundable.

Standard Double or Twin Room | Free WiFi

"It is good value for a one night stay"

SAR 202 total

includes taxes & fees

13 May - 14 May

Exterior

"Nice place to stay rooms are basic , clean Can use common kitchen for making tea or coffee"

Room

"Lovely staff, great food, comfy bed, quiet. Beautiful countryside "

SAR 350 total

includes taxes & fees

3 May - 4 May

Standard Double Room | Free WiFi, bed sheets

"Perfect and very close to the ferry"

SAR 314 total

includes taxes & fees

8 May - 9 May

Exterior

"Very old but very nice and very helpfull stuff"

SAR 675 total

includes taxes & fees

2 May - 3 May

Exterior

"Such a lovely place to stay, very clean, very nice, friendly staff, would highly recommend!"

Double Room, Ensuite, River View | View from property

"Very good location, lovely welcome and good communication from the owners. Great breakfast "

Private kitchen

SAR 285 total

includes taxes & fees

15 May - 16 May

Apartment | Private kitchen

Apartment | Private kitchen

House | Terrace/patio

"Highly recommend this excellent property. Very well presented with everything you need for a very comfortable stay. Great communication with lovely host. On site parking, walking distance from fabulous beach and restraints. "

SAR 580 total

includes taxes & fees

6 May - 7 May

Classic Quadruple Room | In-room dining

"Really friendly staff, room was lovely, would definitely stay here again. "

SAR 508 total

includes taxes & fees

3 May - 4 May

Cabin | Pool | Outdoor pool

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

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

Iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Iron/ironing board, free WiFi

Flat-screen TV

"The hotel is lovely place to stay.Clean tired and most definitely great prices as well as the wonderful staff "

SAR 260 total

includes taxes & fees

12 May - 13 May

House | Living area

House | Interior

Cottage | Living room

"Lovely and quiet, lots of walks from the door. Dog friendly"

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Dragonfly Hotel Colchester

Dragonfly Hotel Colchester

A12/A120 Ardleigh Junction, Colchester, England

SAR 379

SAR 455 total

includes taxes & fees

2 May - 3 May

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