Through the The Vale of Slaughden

fr

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.

Technical sheet

n°42769185
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.98 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 5 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 5 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 7 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: -1 m
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Photos

Thames barge heading down river
Remains of the houseboat Ionia
Slaughden Quay
River Alde

Description of the walk

Start: Slaughden Quay (IP15 5NA) Grid ref. TM 463 555

(S/E) The footpath from Slaughden Quay is clearly marked on the northern side of the boatyard. This follows the river estuary upstream for 3.3 Km. Ignore all other footpaths that head across the marshes.

Eventually, the river turns North-East and the defence bank has a sharp turn to the right. At the far end of this straight section, where the river bends back northwards, the footpath comes to an end, with another right leading off of the defence banks and through the marshes.

(1) Take this. The path going through the marshes is obvious and this emerges through the allotments and onto a paved footpath that runs behind Aldeburgh.

(2) Turn right and follow the path through. There are large houses with huge gardens on the left and more allotments on the right. Beyond this there are more allotments on the left and the Pump House on the right and just beyond this the path meets a road.

(3) Turn right and follow the road down to the southern end of Aldeburgh High Street. Turn right and follow the road through to Slaughden Quay.

(4) Or alternatively turn left and follow the road to the White Hart pub which is on the right opposite the chip shop.

(5) Return by cutting through the alley by the side of the pub, navigating down to crag path.

(6) Follow this beach side path through to Slaughden. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2 m - Slaughden Quay
  2. 1 : km 3.29 - alt. 0 m - Footpath right - Defence banks
  3. 2 : km 4.19 - alt. 2 m - Allotments - Paed footpath
  4. 3 : km 4.83 - alt. 5 m - Junction with road
  5. 4 : km 5.08 - alt. 4 m - Southern end of Aldeburgh High Street
  6. 5 : km 5.21 - alt. 7 m - White Hart pub
  7. 6 : km 5.3 - alt. 6 m - Beach side path
  8. S/E : km 5.98 - alt. 2 m - Slaughden Quay

Practical information

Start: Slaughden Quay (IP15 5NA) Grid ref. TM 463 555

Refreshments:
White Hart, Aldeburgh

Find more information and walks at Griffmonsters Great Walks here.

In the nearby area

The Vale of Slaughden

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