Orford walks

A walk around the Orford Loop section of the Suffolk Coast Path. The main Suffolk Coast Path cuts through Tunstall Forest from Iken Cliff to Chillesford. However, more recently, a path has been added which allows access to Orford by following the Alde estuary. This then cuts back across Gedgrave marshes and Sudbourne Hall to return to the main path at Chillesford.

This walk crosses the mysterious marshes before returning to Orford to visit the castle and church.

This walk crosses the mysterious marshes before returning to Orford to visit the castle and church

A Suffolk circular walk along the banks of the Ore and Butley rivers between Orford and the Butley Ferry river crossing at Gedgrave.
The Suffolk Coast Path Orford Loop has two routes back onto the main trail, the first returns from Orford up to Chillesford but an alternative is to follow the lane from Orford to Gedrgrave and down to Butley Ferry. Although this crossing only operates from April to October, a pleasant and easy circular walk can be made from Orford returning along the top of the river defences.

A walk around the ancient woodland of Captains Wood just outside the hamlet of Sudbourne
This is a hidden gem of a walk close to the Suffolk Coast in woodland which is currently under the management of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust. The ancient woodland is full of life, colour and a natural wildness that is a pleasure to behold. A waymarked path provides easy access around the wood so one cannot get lost. Just take ones time and take it all in.

Explore the diversity of forest plantation and one of Suffolk’s few ancient woodlands.

An exhilarating walk along the defence banks of Suffolk's River Alde estuary beginning and ending at Slaughden Quay. The walk traces the defence banks that following the River Alde inland, returning via the footpath on the southern edge of Aldeburgh.

Once known as the Vale of Slaughden, the area below Aldeburgh presents a big open landscape across the marsh with the wide estuary waters of the River Alde as it meanders alongside the coast. Once upon a time Slaughden was a bustling fishing village but in present day it is all under the waves and a narrow spit of shingle is all that divides the North Sea from the gentle waters of the river.

This walk follows paths across wild Suffolk heathland and through mysterious woodland. You will encounter ancient habitats, old twisted pine trees, hidden glades and commercial forestry

Enjoy a wonderful walk on the banks of the River Alde.

A walk along the Suffolk Coast Path between Snape and Felixstowe
This is the most remote section of the Suffolk Coast Path and follows the Butley River down to Shingle Street and then continues along the coast to the ferry at Bawdsey. There is an eerie sense of foreboding when walking this section. The solitude. The windswept landscape. The distant silhouettes of the Orfordness Pagodas. The lonely river. One can walk virtually the entire distance without seeing a soul and the only company is the decaying remains of WWII defences and the looming martello towers from Napoleonic times.
⚠️Make sure you check the ferry timetables before you start the walk

The River Alde is little more than a stream until it nears Snape Maltings. Here the river becomes tidal and it broadens into a wide estuary. It’s a place of glistening mud and open water, filled twice a day by the incoming tide and rich in wildlife.

The Sailors’ Path follows a beautiful route between Snape Maltings and Aldeburgh. The Path is named because sailors would walk the path between Aldeburgh and Snape.

The Sailors’ Path follows a beautiful route between Snape Maltings and Aldeburgh. The Path is named because sailors would walk the path between Aldeburgh and Snape.

The Sailors’ Path follows a beautiful route between Snape Maltings and Aldeburgh. The Path is named because sailors would walk the path between Aldeburgh and Snape.

Explore a mosaic of unique landscapes including reedbed, woodland, marsh and shingle coast, which sustain a large diversity of wildlife.