Farms & Rivers

(S/E) Begin at Shotley Marina lock. Walk westwards towards Shotley Gate (River Stour and Harwich are on your left). Continue through the picnic area on the coast path, RSPB Erwarton Bay reserve lies to your left.
As you walk out of Shotley Heritage Park a small sign ‘Shotley and Erwarton Coastal Path’ points the way through the ‘Brickyards’. Keep the river close to your left, pass cottages.

(1) At the ‘Erwarton One’ sluice gate, head inland towards Erwarton. Fork left towards St. Mary’s Church, Erwarton.

(2) Turn right at the church along a B-road (be careful of traffic). Pass Warren Lane and turn left into Erwarton Walk. Cross over the B1456 Ipswich road, keep it on your left for 50 metres then turn right at the way mark towards ‘Cow Meadow’. Alderton’s Grove can be seen on your right.

(3) Take Cow Lane left out onto Church Walk. With Shotley Hall opposite turn left and then second right. The footpath is a hard farm track to Wades Lane.

(4) Turn right, sign posted Hill House Farm.

(5) Leaving the farm to your right walk on down Wades Lane through an area of holiday cottages and farm buildings. Continue on the path, then down through a gate to Shotley marshes with the Port of Felixstowe in view.

(6) Turn left towards the River Orwell then though another gate. The steps on the left lead to the top of the river wall. Follow the way marker between the river and the Orwell salt marshes.

(7) At the Marina, turn left at the finger post, back to the Lock.(S/E)

Paths and tracks can be muddy after rain. Cattle are often grazing on the marshes, so please keep dogs on leads. Some sections are near deep water. This walk takes you onto public highways. We recommend high visibility clothing.

In winter, the estuaries are home to rare birds feeding and nesting in the area. They are easily disturbed and fly off, but you can help during these sensitive months by;
• Keeping your dog on a lead when walking on the paths by the river
• Avoiding the river paths as a running route at low and high tides
• Keeping a respectful distance from groups of birds if you’re on the water
• Reducing noise in general