Waveney Way, All Twenty Walks

Waveney Ramblers devised this route.

OS Map: OL40 and Explorer 231

The Waveney district in north-east Suffolk is bounded, north by the River Waveney, west by the Saints, south by the river Blyth and east by the North Sea. The Waveney Way is an anti-clockwise circular walk, roughly following these boundaries. The distance is 74 miles over varied landscapes with pastures, heathland, the odd ploughed field, marshland, river, stream, coastal walking, some woodland and broads. There is much of historical interest with fascinating towns and villages. There are castles, in varying states of decay, a ruined priory and minster, round and square-towered flint churches. There's bird and animal life, not to mention the flora with bulbs, bluebells and orchids in spring and headgerow fruits in season.

The first and second editions were written as a series of short linear walks, needing public transport or teamwork with more than one vehicle. The third edition has been rewritten as 170 miles of circular walks which cover the entire way. Carry a compass because many of the directions include a bearing. The boardwalk at Potter's Bridge has become unsafe and the route has been diverted although the maps show the original. We hope this will be repaired. Gull Lane, Shipmeadow, is frequently choked with nettles, brambles and fallen branches. Near the north end it's very slippery with wet clay over smooth concrete. The route has been diverted to avoid this but the maps include the original so the intrepid or foolhardy can attempt it. Pubs, tea rooms, parking places and bus/railway stops have been included on the maps.

1 Ness Point and Oulton Broad - 10 Miles
2 Gunton, Corton and Blundeston - 10 Miles
3 Somerleyton - 9.5 Miles
4 Carlton Marshes - 5.4 Miles
5 Oulton Broad to Beccles (train walk) - 10 Miles or two legs of ...
(Walk 5.1) 9.2 miles
(Walk 5.2) 10.2 miles
6 Waveney River - 8 Miles
7 Shipmeadow and Mettingham - 8.3 Miles
8 Bungay South - 6.25 Miles
9 Flixton - 10 Miles
10 Saints Margaret and James - 8.6 Miles
11 Saint James and Wissett - 8.8 Miles
12 Wissett and Halesworth - 8.2 Miles
13 Halesworth to Wenhaston - 8.6 Miles
14 Wenhaston East - 10.5 Miles
15 Walberswick - 6 Miles - The bridge over the Blythe is closed for repairs.
16 Southwold and Reydon - 6 Miles - The bridge over the Blythe is closed for repairs.
17 Reydon and Wrentham - 8.8 Miles
18 Covehithe and Benacre - 7.5 Miles
19 Kessingland and Pakefield - 9.4 Miles
20 Lowestoft and Ness Point - 8.8 Miles