Sandlings Walk: Exploring the beauty of England’s coastal landscapes
The Sandlings Walk is a long-distance hiking trail that takes you through some of the most beautiful and scenic landscapes in the East of England. This trail runs for around 55 miles, starting from Ipswich in Suffolk, and ending at Southwold on the coast of the North Sea. The trail passes through heathlands, woodlands, and a coastline of sand dunes and shingle beaches, offering a unique and memorable experience to hikers of all abilities.
The Sandlings Walk passes through the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), which is renowned for its unique habitats and wildlife. The trail runs along the coast, offering stunning views of the North Sea, and passes through several quaint coastal towns and villages, including Dunwich, Walberswick, and Thorpeness.
The trail is divided into six stages, each of which offers its own unique experience and challenges. Below we have outlined each stage of the Sandlings Walk, highlighting what you can expect to see and experience on your journey.
Stage 1: Ipswich to Woodbridge (10.5 miles)
The first stage of the Sandlings Walk starts in Ipswich, passing through the charming village of Kesgrave, and ends in Woodbridge. The trail follows the River Orwell for a while, offering stunning views of the countryside and some of the historic buildings of Ipswich. The route then takes you through heathlands and woodlands, and you’ll come across the beautiful Martlesham Creek before arriving in Woodbridge.
Stage 2: Woodbridge to Melton (8.5 miles)
This stage of the trail takes you through beautiful heathlands, woodland, and countryside, passing through several charming villages, including Bredfield, Little Bealings, and Martlesham. The route ends in Melton, which is located on the banks of the River Deben.
Stage 3: Melton to Snape (9.5 miles)
This stage takes you through the beautiful Snape Marshes, which is home to several unique bird species, including avocets and marsh harriers. The trail then takes you through woodland and countryside before arriving at the picturesque village of Snape.
Stage 4: Snape to Aldeburgh (7.5 miles)
This stage takes you through the beautiful countryside and along the coastline of the North Sea, offering stunning views of the coastline and the iconic Aldeburgh Scallop sculpture. The route ends in the charming seaside town of Aldeburgh, which is renowned for its art galleries, shops, and restaurants.
Stage 5: Aldeburgh to Dunwich (11 miles)
This stage takes you along the coast of the North Sea, offering stunning views of the sand dunes and shingle beaches. The trail passes through the charming villages of Thorpeness and Sizewell, before arriving in Dunwich, which is a historic coastal town that was once a major port in medieval times.
Stage 6: Dunwich to Southwold (8.5 miles)
The final stage of the Sandlings Walk takes you through beautiful countryside and along the coast, offering stunning views of the North Sea. The trail passes through the charming village of Walberswick before arriving in Southwold, which is a popular seaside town that is renowned for its beach huts, pier, and lighthouse.
The Sandlings Walk is a beautiful and unique hiking trail that offers a diverse range of landscapes and habitats. The trail is suitable for hikers of all abilities and offers an excellent opportunity to explore the beauty of England’s coastal landscapes. Whether you are a seasoned hiker or a beginner, the Sandlings Walk is definitely worth exploring. So, pack your hiking boots and get ready to discover the beauty.
Getting to the trail can be a wee bit of a challenge if you don’t have a car. The following are suggestions, but please do your own research in case transportation routes and links have changed: There is only a single 65 bus service each weekday from Aldeburgh passing through Snape and Rendlesham. There are no other services until Woodbridge where both train and bus services link to Ipswich. The 64 bus service runs hourly from Leiston, only a couple of miles from the Sandlings path at Knodishall, and Woodbridge. There is no direct public transport between Knodishall and Southwold or the villages between.
Check out the links provided below for more information and photos of Sandlings Walk.
Suggested Lodging
You should be able to find campsites along the trail route including Waldringfield Moon and Sizpence (just off route), Tangham Forest Camping in Rendlesham Forest, Sizewell Beach View Camping and Caravn Site, Eastbridge Farm Campsite and Southwold Harbour Campsite, plus a youth hostel at Blaxhall which allows hikers, ramblers & walker to split the route into manageable day-hikes. Booking.comSuggested Dining
Check out the hiker app and/or website for amenities found along or near the Sandlings Walk footpath and long-distance hiking trail. Here is a link for the Sandlings Walk web page on the hiking website: https://hiiker.app/trails/england/suffolk/sandlings-walk/amenities
