Our gentle walking holiday in Suffolk combines the best of the beautiful and unique Suffolk coast and sandy heaths that lie between Woodbridge and Southwold. Brimming with boats and beaches, quirky pubs, wildlife and seafood galore, forest tracks and sinuous estuaries, this is a tranquil sometimes remote area perfect for gentle walking.
With a distinctive collection of hotels and 2 nights at each stop, you have the choice of relaxing on alternate days with a variety of boat rides on offer or exploring further on foot with the routes we include. Each overnight stay offers something different - the Deben estuary at Woodbridge, the spit at Orford, the town at Aldeburgh and the pier and sandy beach at Southwold - with a great deal of magic in between for you to discover!
Holiday details
Price
- Classic
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from £1,490 per person
- Luxury
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from £2,470 per person
Based on two people sharing a room
Duration
8 nights
Start & Finish
Starts Mondays in Woodbridge finishes Southwold. Woodbridge is on the main line railway and we transfer you from Southwold to the nearest mainline
Hotels
- Classic
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4 highly characterful inns or small hotels
- Luxury
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Three unique 4 star hotels and one 3 star restaurant with rooms
Holiday type
Self-guided so you are free to explore at your own pace. More info...
Activity level
Gentle walking. More info...
Mileage
3 days of walking 8 - 11 miles (13 - 18 km) with 4 days of optional walking
Terrain
Flattish or flat
What’s included?
Ensuite accommodation every night with breakfast. The services of our friendly local Hosts. Luggage transfers between hotels. 24/7 phone contact number. Adventure Handbook with our local tips. GPS Routes on an App with waterproof phone holder. Guidebook or OS maps. Protection of your funds. Advice, help and guidance planning your trip.
Transfer to Halesworth station at the end of the tour. Read About Our Trips for further details
Itinerary day-by-day
Classic & Luxury
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1. Day one
Arrive Woodbridge
Check into your hotel where you stay for 2 nights and relax. Explore the charming town of Woodbridge set on the Deben estuary. Its tide mill is worth a visit and takes you to the river front buzzing with boats. Enjoy a wander along the river path, this estuary is a peaceful haven and typical of Suffolk in atmosphere.
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2. Day two
Explore the Woodbridge area
Here's a fascinating walk to start your holiday unless you decide to simply chill and enjoy the Suffolk vibe of good food and a laid-back day. The walk takes you along the estuary, beside rivers, through the best of Woodbridge and across fields with rural views and local gems to boot. Return to your hotel for a second night there.
Optional 7 miles (11 km) or more
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3. Day three
Woodbridge to Orford
We transfer you after breakfast to the coast giving you a nose of the sea air and a shingle walk on the coast path before turning inland. Tracking a river your walk is deeply rural with a few ancient villages, wooded sandy heathland pockets and long views until you reach the inescapable charm of Orford village and its unique setting on the coast. You stay here for 2 nights so plenty of time to explore.
11 miles (18 km)
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4. Day four
Explore the Orford area
Today you can relax in this special little coastal haven and pootle down to the quay for a choice of boat rides exploring the unspoilt river for birds, fish and the views. If its a weekend and you prefer a longer walk, hop over to Orford Ness on the ferry and enjoy a circular walk in this weird and wonderful spot.
Optional 6 miles (10 km)
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5. Day five
Orford to Aldeburgh
After a leisurely breakfast, we transfer you to the Alde estuary inland, quite a different scene from yesterday and abundant with reeds, marshes and wildlife. You walk takes you to Snape with its converted Maltings, forever a musical monument to Benjamin Britten. An old mariner's path leads you on through rushes and over board walks and heaths to reach the coast and on to Aldeburgh. You have two nights here to discover this marvellous place and its maritime history.
8 miles (13 km)
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6. Day six
Explore the Aldeburgh area
Today is free for you to choose to do what tickles your fancy. Discover Aldeburgh's enticing mix of High street shops, cafes and galleries, sit on the beach and ogle the artwork and Martello Tower. Or you could take our circular walk to charming Thorpeness discovering more of the coast path and an old rural railway line. Enjoy boat hire on the Mere, a great pub lunch and even golf and tennis if you are that way inclined.
Optional 6 miles (10 km)
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7. Day seven
Aldeburgh to Southwold
Here's another marvellous day of walking. yet again different from what's gone before. Start the day with a transfer further up the coast giving you the opportunity to walk into Southwold and Walberswick enjoying the coast path and inland heaths and unique wildlife. Much of the day is remote but there's a great stop at the little seaside hamlet of Dunwich. Old world charm oozes at Walberswick where the little ferry leads you past a bustling boaty scene into Southwold's fun of beach huts and pier. Stay for 2 nights to take it all in!
9 miles (14 km)
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8. Day eight
Explore the Southwold area
We suggest you take our short walk today which will lead you past the best of Southwold and Walberswick where there are many seaside diversions with plenty of time to enjoy them. The longer walk also includes heaths and woodland of this unique countryside. Or you may just opt for a final day of complete relaxation. Consider a boat trip inland or out to sea, a brewery tour in Southwold and fun on the pier or simply dream on the sandy beach.
Optional 5 or 10 miles (8 or 16 km)
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9. Day nine
Depart Southwold
After breakfast we transfer you to Halesworth station or back to your car in Woodbridge.