Walking Around Dunwich
The Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is best
explored by bicycle or on foot, for only when we make the time to stop
and contemplate
do we see the true glories of this most spectacular coastline.
There are a number of good public footpaths fanning out from Dunwich
offering you insights into the history, geology and diverse patchwork of
habitats
surrounding the village.
The following can be enjoyed as a single walk of 8 miles or two shorter
walks of around 4 miles each. Park in the Beach car park:
Dunwich to Dingle Marshes
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A postcard showing the approach to the beach from the 1930s - it hasn't changed a lot! |
From the car park walk back into the village and turn right past
the Ship Inn for 1⁄2 mile (800m) past St James’s Church,
built in the 19th century to replace the churches of Dunwich, most
of which has by now
fallen into the sea. Follow the road until you reach Bridge Nurseries
(try their tea rooms) where you turn right around the farm buildings
and follow
the track for 11⁄2 miles (2.4km) taking you along a woodland
glade beside Dunwich Forest ( really delightful in early spring
when the forest
is covered in a carpet of bluebells).
The path turns towards
the sea. Pass through the gate to enter a covert and fork right
at the junctions around Great Dingle Farm, then follow the path
through
the reed
beds towards the
sea.
The reed beds at Dingle Marshes are home to the rare and
fascinating bittern, a large bird with a strange and haunting
booming call
(look out for them
in May). There are only around twenty pairs of bittern in England
today, over half of which inhabit the reed beds here, at Minsmere
and the
Hen Reedbeds, near Southwold. You are also likely to see the
large marsh
harrier, wheeling
overhead as well as the pretty bearded tit, another reedbed inhabitant.
Water vole and otters inhabit the creeks.
The reeds are cut every two years for use as local thatch. Cutting
and clearing the reeds means that the water level remains below
the bitterns’ nests
but also ensures that the birds can reach a plentiful supply
of food for their growing families.
Turn right at a junction, when you see the old drainage mill
to your left, and follow the flood bank across Dingle Marshes.
Turn right to return to
Dunwich along the beach or take the path behind the shingle bank.
The shingle bank protects the marshes from inundation from
the sea. At present much of the reedbed is freshwater; strong
winter
storms and high tides do
at times break through these manmade barriers damaging this fragile
ecosystem.
Dunwich to Minsmere
Walk up the road from the beach car park and keep left at the
junction. When the road bends, turn left on to a footpath
that climbs through the woods
to the ruins of the 13th century Greyfriars Friary.
Greyfriars Friary
 |
The ruins of Greyfriars Friary, Dunwich |
The Friary was founded before 1277, but
had to be moved further inland in 1289. The last remains of medieval
Dunwich, the church,
refectory and cloisters have all been lost to the sea.
Parts of the Gatehouse archway and a smaller doorway can still
be seen.
Turn left along the cliff top path (keeping well away from
the edge), go
over a set of wooden steps and bear right through the
trees on a waymarked path. At the end of this path, turn right along
a track to a road. Turn left
and walk along the road for 1⁄2 mile (800m), passing the
two caravan sites on your left. When you reach the National Trust
site at Dunwich heath,
turn immediately left on to the waymarked path.
 |
Dunwich Heath - Looking out to sea with Southwold in the distance from |
Walk along the
path past the Coastguard Cottages and National Trust
visitor centre (there is a tea
shop here) and take the track beside Heath Barn field
centre, then bear right on to a sandy path which climbs gently through
the heather. Keep on this
path, bearing left and right at a crossing track to
follow the Sandlings Walk (signed by wooden waymarks showing a nightjar.
When you reach a bridleway,
keep straight ahead on a farm track, which passes Mount
Pleasant
farm. Cross the road and keep straight ahead on a concrete
road to Sandy Lane Farm. Turn
right for 1⁄2 mile (800m) on a shady lane to emerge by
St James’s
Church, turn right back along the high street past Dunwich’s
museum and The Ship Inn to the car park. |
