In Search of the ruins of Leiston Abbey

A circular walk around Leiston and Eastbridge in Suffolk. Leiston Abbey was originally founded in the late 12th century by Ranulf de Glanville. The original building was constructed on an island in the Minsmere marshes. Two centuries later, due to the inhospitable conditions on the marsh and constant flooding the Abbey was moved inland, lock stock and stone to a site close to Leiston. Despite a great fire in 1367 and much demolition following the dissolution of the monasteries there still remains some impressive ruins. There is still a remnant of the old Abbey, with the former chapel building sitting in its island position above the marsh, decaying into the landscape and containing a WWII pill box. This walk visits both sites making a well worthwhile walk.

Technical sheet

n°42970440
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.02 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 26 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 30 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 20 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: -2 m
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Photos

The ruins of Leiston Chapel
The impressive Theberton House
In Search of the ruins of Leiston Abbey

Description of the walk

Start: The Volunteer Pub, Leiston (IP16 4DJ). Grid ref. TM 443 621

(S/E) Leaving Leiston on the B1122 (Northward), after 1.2 Km, there is a footpath on the left which goes around the back of the final houses of Leiston then leads across a field and up the track to Leiston Abbey. The footpath continues on the far side of the Abbey and crosses the fields to lead back onto the B1122.

(1) Turn left, cross the road and head right down Potter Street, past Theberton House until a footpath sign on the left directs you across a meadow, then across a crop field and down onto Onners Lane.

(2) The footpath continues, up some steps and along a field edge to come out on Church Lane. Turn right and follow the road into Eastbridge. Follow the road round to the left and turn right when it junctions with the Minsmere Road and The Eels Foot Inn is opposite. Continue up the hill.

(3) A footpath on the left will lead across the fields and down to Minsmere.

(4) The Old Abbey Ruins can be seen on the right. Continue to Minsmere Sluice.

(5) Turn right to walk South along the coast passing in front of the Sizewell Power Station.

(6) At Sizewell, walk inland along the road to Half-way cottages.

(7) Turn left, a footpath leads across a field, past a farmhouse and down a lane which enters Leiston on Red House Lane. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 18 m - The Volunteer Pub, Leiston
  2. 1 : km 2.79 - alt. 12 m - B1122
  3. 2 : km 3.84 - alt. 6 m - Onners Lane
  4. 3 : km 5.52 - alt. 7 m - Footpath left
  5. 4 : km 7.48 - alt. -1 m - The Old Abbey Ruins
  6. 5 : km 8.07 - alt. -2 m - Minsmere Sluice
  7. 6 : km 11.56 - alt. 5 m - Sizewell
  8. 7 : km 12.91 - alt. 9 m - Half-way cottages
  9. S/E : km 15.02 - alt. 18 m - The Volunteer Pub, Leiston

Practical information

Start: The Volunteer Pub, Leiston (IP16 4DJ). Grid ref. TM 443 621

Refreshments:
Eastbridge Eels Foot

Find more information and walks at Griffmonsters Great Walks here.

In the nearby area

Leiston Abbey
Theberton Mound
Theberton House
Eastbridge Village Sign

Other walks in the area

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Walking Around the Churches of Knodishall and Friston

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A walk encompassing the Westwood Marshes footpath into a circular route from Leiston. The Westwood Marshes footpath is little gem of a path that links the Newdelight Walks with the Suffolk Coast Path through the Westwood marshes. The route for this walk uses this path as the ultimate destination from Leiston but shorter alternatives to include this path are also detailed.

Walking Leiston to Walberswick

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↔34.70 km ↗+57 m ↘-55 m ◔10h 05 ▲Difficult
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A circular walk between Leiston and Walberswick incorporating sections of the Suffolk Coast Path and Sandlings Walk. It uses the beach at low tide to get from Sizewell to Walberswick, returning through Dunwich forest. Walberswick is said to be the most haunted place in Britain though one would not think it from its relaxed and laid back character, famous for its crabbing pastimes.

Walking The Alde Valley - Leiston to Wickham Market

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Walking In Search of Leiston Gibbet, Friday Market Heath and St Andrews Green

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This walk follows an investigation to seek out the location of the Leiston Gibbet and an area of heathland that was known in the 1600's as Friday Market Heath. The only reference to these places comes from an old book from 1910 entitled 'The Chronicles of Theberton' which details the route past the gibbet. This walk attempts to retrace this route by navigating along the heathland and footpaths around the River Hundred which marks the boundary between the hundreds of Blything and Plomestead. Extensive research which has been undertaken and documented in the feature of this walk with some revealing insights to long forgotten places.

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↔16.11 km ↗+24 m ↘-31 m ◔4h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
A circular walk through the Suffolk Coastal Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty taking in Sizewell and the Minsmere Bird Reserve. One does not have to have an enthusiasm for ornithology to enjoy this walk. The natural surroundings of marshland and heathland are enough to inspire everyone and there is a lot of associated history along this route which dates back to the 12th century when Leiston Abbey once occupied an island in the marshes. Note that charges apply to the Minsmere section.

Walking A Trek Around Sole Bay

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A Trek Around Sole Bay
↔38.28 km ↗+78 m ↘-81 m ◔11h 10 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Leiston (Suffolk)
A circular walk between Sizewell and Southwold along the Suffolk Coast Path and Sandlings Walk. Due to the limitations of public transport, it is difficult to create linear walks along the Suffolk Coast Path between Sizewell and Southwold. The walk follows the Suffolk Coast Path up to Dunwich Heath where a newly designated footpath along the roadside will join back with the Suffolk Coast Path at Greyfriars Woods and leads to Dunwich. Keep with the Coast Path through Dunwich and across the marshes to Walberswick where the river Blyth can be crossed using the ferry to continue into Southwold along the Suffolk Coast Path. Return is straight down the coast to Dunwich then head across the heath through to Eastbridge and Leiston following the Sandlings Walk. ⚠️The Walberswick Ferry only runs at weekends during some weeks of the year and one should check the service prior to walking. There is an alternative route.

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