Local area

Dunwich Heath

Enjoy the surroundings

It provides a fantastic peaceful base for exploring the ancient coastal pathways and bridleways through the Suffolk Sandlings and the miles of tracks which lace the thousands of acres of conservation land this coastal region maintains.

The Dingle and Westwood reserve supports a healthy population of Marsh Harriers, Hen Harriers and Bitterns as well as many species of other birds. The forest allows frequent glimpses of the only extant English Red Deer, the genetic descendents of the deer which were almost hunted to extinction in Tudor times.

Out and about

Dunwich is the famous city lost to the sea, now a sleepy village with a 16th century pub, museum, ruins of a 14th Century monastery, tea rooms, nursery, holistic therapy centre and the finest fish and chip café on the coast. The beach is completely unspoilt with working fishermen and fresh fish for sale.

Walberswick, an hour’s healthy walk to the north across the marshes, has been a haunt of artists and writers from the 19th century to the present day. It has a wide sandy beach a choice of pubs, tea rooms and gift shops and famous ‘crabbing bridge’.

From there you can go by rowing ferry across the Blyth to Southwold with its colourful beach huts, newly renovated pier, lighthouse, cinema, summer theatre, and renowned Adnams Brewery.

To the west is the local village of Westleton with everyone’s idea of the perfect village post office and shop, and a first class restaurant.

To the south lie the National Trust Dunwich Heath Reserve, and RSPB Minsmere, and beyond Thorpness, the purpose built holiday village from the 1920s, with a boating mere, country club and sandy beach leading to Aldeburgh, famous for its music for 60 years, fresh fish sold on the beach, excellent restaurants, yacht club, half timbered cinema, Martello tower and recently, Maggie Hambling’s ‘Scallop’ sculpture.

The local towns of Halesworth and Southwold have a superb variety of real old fashioned food shops and other shops to suit all pockets.

Websites of interest
Dingle Marshes (Suffolk Wildlife Trust)
National Trust
Suffolk Coast and Heaths
Dingle Marshes (RSBP)
Visit Dunwich
The Ship inn Dunwich
Snape Maltings

Southwold beach huts
Beach huts at Southwold