Dunwich

Dunwich Heath to Dunwich Beach walk

Distance: approx 4 miles

Time: 1 ½ to 2 hours, depending on your pace and not including any stops you may make

Terrain: easy / moderate with sandy paths, forest paths and shingle beach

Facilities: The Ship Inn, the Flora Tea Rooms and the National Trust Tea Rooms

This is a lovely loop and one of our favourite walks in Dunwich because it takes in the best of the Suffolk landscape with one of the most unspoiled, natural shingle beaches in Suffolk as well as beautiful heathland. It is one of the most family-friendly walks in Dunwich because there is no road walking involved. It also takes in the National Trust Dunwich Heath where there are family-friendly activities on offer.

1. Park at Dunwich beach car park (free but a donation is appreciated) and walk back up Beach Road to the triangle in the road. The Ship Inn will be on your right and to your left, you will see a footpath sign.

2. The footpath winds upwards taking you along the clifftop for about 150m where it passes the 13th century ruins of the Greyfriars Friary. You can pop in and read about the history of the friary.

3. Walk past the ruins and the path will re-enter the woodland (Greyfriars Wood). Shortly after, the path will take a right turn and you will head inland. Walk under the stone bridge and the path will turn into a residential road/gravel track. Walk along this road until you reach Westleton Road.

4. The footpath follows the road for about 50m and then it is signposted on the left. This path takes you on a residential road for a little way and then turns into a footpath through a continuation of Greyfriars Wood. The footpath will take you past Cliff House Holiday Park on your left (one of the best coastal campsites in the country and a top Suffolk campsite) and will lead you out onto Minsmere Road.

5. Cross over the road onto the footpath on the other side of the road and head left. This track follows Minsmere Road all the way up to the National Trust Dunwich Heath and Beach. In Spring, the heath will be bright yellow with the gorse in flower and in the Summer it will be awash with purple heather.

4. Enter the National Trust property turn immediately left following the cliff top path to the tea rooms. Watch out for the clues for kids along the way.

5. Once you reach the tea rooms you may want to stop for a snack and use the facilities before you pop down to the beach to head back along the beach to Dunwich Beach to complete your walk.

You can also do this in the reverse order. If you are parking at Dunwich Heath, parking charges apply – although it is free for National Trust members.

This is a great (bracing) walk to do if you are looking for things to do in Suffolk at Christmas because you might have a chance of seeing Father Christmas at the Coastguard Cottages!