Around Thorpeness

Starting from the public car park in the centre of the village walk towards the beach. There are several access points either directly from the car park or the nearby tracks adjacent to the car parking area.

(S/E) Once on the beach, turn left (North) and proceed along the beach. You will notice there are many types of vegetation habitats on the beach.

(1) After approx. 700 m, you will reach a point on the beach where evidence of recent cliff falls can be noticed and structural reinforcement introduced to aid cliff stability. The cliffs are primarily composed of Coralline Crag. Keep following the beach.

Crag is a Suffolk word meaning 'shelly sand'. Coralline Crag is only found on the east coast of Suffolk, predominantly near Aldeburgh and Orford and comprises a series of marine deposits and characterised by bryozoan and mollusc debris.

(2) After approx. 1 km you will notice a sandy path leading up to the clifftop. Depending upon the weather, the track may be slippery or loose underfoot. Once on the cliff top there are several walks to be taken. To follow the route, turn left due south and after approx. 300 m turn right, due west.

In summer, many birds nest and forage in the trees and shrubs along the northern and western boundaries. This is a very popular area for families to picnic, play games etc. This area is also very popular at Christmas time with many family groups meeting year after year.

(3) Pass through the kissing gate onto the track and turn right. Follow the track for about 80 m until you reach a stile on your right. Cross the stile and follow the track for approximately 75m to where the track forks. Take the left fork through the trees until you reach the farm track. This shortcut allows the walker to avoid the parts of the farm track that become flooded in wetter or following heavy rains. Walk in an anti-clockwise direction until you reach a gateway. Turn right onto the farm track and continue towards the horse paddocks at waypoint 4

(4) From the paddocks continue straight along the track in a northwards direction. Turn left at the first t-junction and shortly after, right at the next t-junction. At the next bigger junction, turn Left for approx. 250 m and turn left again on the FP20 to carry on towards Thorpeness. After approx. 200 m the path passes through a tunnel of trees, a "Holloway". Depending on the season and weather, sunlight passing through the trees offers a spectacular sight. Stop and listen. You are very unlikely to hear any man-made sounds, only the wind sighing through the branches, and birds singing. At the end of the Holloway the path returns to Thorpeness Common. Turn right towards Thorpeness and keep left at the fork to join Beacon Hill Lane after approx. 200 m by turning left and a few steps further right and then left again.

Note: Many times along this walk it is possible to glimpse the world famous House in the Clouds and the Westgate tower. The House in the Clouds was originally built as a water tower, it has now been converted to a holiday let. A unique building in a unique setting.

(5) Proceed to the start of North End Avenue, turn right onto it and right again onto Old Home Road. Turn left onto The Sanctuary. Take this track and pass the Westgate tower on your right, continuing onwards to the Meare. At the end of the track, turn right onto The Haven and after a few steps, left onto Remembrance Road. On the way to the car park, you can stop at one of the two outlets for a well-earned cup of tea and a bun.(S/E)

This is a relatively easy walk. Stout walking shoes may be preferred, especially on the beach pebbles.

The sandy soil on the clifftop area is particularly light, but after a period of heavy or persistent rain, some parts of the tracks may become waterlogged, though passable.

Please take care when walking on the beach. Do not walk close to the cliff for the reasons because it's unstable, liable to sudden collapse and during summer nesting sand martins can be disturbed by human and dog activity.

I would recommend stopping and listening often. The area is particularly quiet, with very little man-made noise once away from the main village area. Spectacular sunrises and sunsets are common in the location, as well as relatively dark skies at night. Many walkers you may meet return here year on year to escape the bustle of their daily lives, and re-connect with nature and quiet spaces.