Around Suffolk's Minsmere Bird Reserve

Start: Minden Drive Bus stop along B1122, Leiston. Grid ref. TM 446 620

(S/E) From the bus stop walk South along Adeburgh Road (B1122) and turn left to head down Red House Lane on the southern edge of Leiston and continue beyond the housing onto Grimseys Lane and across the field at the end to emerge onto the Sizewell Road at Half Way Houses.

(1) Turn right and follow the road for 1.5 Km to Sizewell.

(2) (Alternative dog-friendly route from here, read "Useful information" for more details).
Otherwise, head Northwards past the Power Station. Continue to the Sluice. Between the main landward side track and the beach before the sluice are the remains of the old cottages that once made up the hamlet of Minsmere. Keep to the dunes beyond the sluice.

(3) Then enter the reserve left where the Minsmere North Seawall heads inland.

It should also be noted that the paths through Minsmere are part of the reserve are not designated public footpaths. RSPB members can freely walk these paths whilst non-members are requested to make a small donation at the visitor centre which is located at the end of the North seawall.

(4) Take the path adjacent to the visitor centre following the signs for the Island Mere Walk for 1.4 Km. This follows a trail through oak woodland that emerges onto the road at Scott's Hall.

(5) Turn left and follow the road through the trees to Eastbridge (1.7 Km). __This road can be fairly busy but the traffic is calmed with numerous speed bumps.

(6) __Continue onward from Eastbridge, following the road to the Leiston road junction.

(7) Turn left, cross the road to the pavement, and continue along Abbey Road (B1122) for 2 Km to get into Leiston. (S/E)

Start: Minden Drive Bus stop along B1122, Leiston. Grid ref. TM 446 620

Terrain: A simple walk using existing footpaths, lanes, and tracks all of which are well-defined.

Refreshments:
Eastbridge Eels Foot

Note : The section from the beach via the Minsmere North Wall and visitor centre, then through the woods via Island Mere is not a public right of way. Charges apply to use this section. RSPB members are free, but are asked to report to the visitor centre and show their membership cards for a permit. Charges for non members can be found on the Minsmere website. Non members can join on arrival.

Dog policy : It is important to emphasise that no dogs are allowed on this section of the walk, except assistance dogs.
For dog walkers, or those not wishing to pay, please continue north along the beach to Dunwich Heath National Trust, then follow the path inland across the heath and through the woods, crossing the RSPB Minsmere entrance road along the bridleway and returning to the walk described here shortly before Eastbridge. This would add about 1.5 miles to the distance. Full details of visiting RSPB Minsmere are at www.rspb.org.uk/minsmere.

Or use this alternative dog-friendly route : Minsmere to Eastbridge - via Docras Ditchfor Dog Walkers without incurring RSPB Minsmere charges
From waypoint (2), continue Northwards from Minsmere sluice up to Dunwich Heath. The path climbs the cliff onto the heathland. Keep to the main path going behind the distinctive white Coastguard cottages and head towards the toilet block. From here a path leads off inland which is marked with the distinctive Sandlings Long Distance Footpath waymarkers. Keep to this path across the heathland and into the woods. Eventually it junctions with a track. Turn left and follow the track to the road. Cross the road and follow the path along the hedge to the grassed fields. This eventually leads down through more woodland onto the Eastbridge road. Continue straight ahead and follow the road into Eastbridge at waypoint (6)

Find more information and walks at Griffmonsters Great Walks here.

Find more information at Griffmonsters Great Walks here.

Minsmere