Starting at a single row of cottages known as Shingle Street, you'll head up the coast to the river mouth at Orford Haven before cutting inland through fields and along well-signposted tracks and lanes back to the start.

Why it's special
From the Martello tower that marks your starting point, built to protect England from invasion during the Napoleonic wars, to some well-preserved second world war pillbox defences, this walk has an impressive military pedigree. Just up the coast is Orford Ness, where the first experiments with radar were conducted in the 1930s, while Shingle Street itself has been the subject of fevered speculation ever since it was evacuated in 1940. Conspiracies include rumours of a German landing and a shoreline littered with burning bodies, schemes to protect the coastline with an impenetrable barrage of flames and the testing of experimental chemical bombs. Four dead German airmen were certainly washed up on the beach, and weapons testing did result in the Lifeboat Inn being blown up. As for the rest, the conspiracy theories rumble on.

Find the whole walk here
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2009/jun/08/shingle-street-walking-guide-suffolk

How to get there
By car
From Ipswich, take the A12 towards Woodbridge, then the A1152 towards Melton. Take the second exit at the roundabout after the river, towards Hollesley, then follow signs to Shingle Street.

By public transport
Take the Ipswich-to-Lowestoft train and get off at Melton, but it's an 11km walk to the start, mostly on minor roads with no pavement.

#beach #coast #coastal #suffolk #uk #england #britain #walk

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Inns in Woodbridge

" Very friendly and hospitable staff . Value for money "

NT$5,326 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 1 - Sep 2

"Really friendly staff, room was lovely, would definitely stay here again. "

NT$4,902 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 1 - Sep 2

Grand Double Room, 1 Double Bed (Best House Room) | 1 bedroom, iron/ironing board, free WiFi, bed sheets

"Friendly, helpful staff. Comfortable bed, quality toiletries and quiet room. Lovely, breakfast cooked to order. Will stay here again "

NT$7,431 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 30 - Oct 1

"Access, bed comfortable, good pub"

NT$2,394 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 7 - Sep 8

"Comfortable stay at this quirky pub. Rooms comfortable but need updating. Lovely meal when we arrived early evening and a good breakfast was served. Definitely worth a visit "

NT$5,419 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 7 - Sep 8

"This is an old building very well looked after, clean throughout, excellent menu, staff works hard and are accommodating, we will be coming back, thank you "

NT$5,217 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 29 - Sep 30

"Very clean throughout. Food excellent. Staff very friendly and helpful. Would definitely stay again if visiting the area. "

NT$3,121 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 1 - Sep 2

"Owners very helpful and pleasant. Ample parking and short walk to accommodation. Dinner was excellent both in choice and presentation and taste, Breakfast there was a lot of various choices and again cooked fresh to order. Overall an excellent venue."

NT$7,225 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 7 - Sep 8

"Our family room was comfortable and quirky. The staff were very friendly and we all enjoyed our breakfast. A great place to stay when travelling through Norfolk."

NT$4,567 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 23 - Sep 24

Daily full breakfast (GBP 8.75 per person)

"Very nice hotel & restaurant "

NT$2,394 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 7 - Sep 8

"Lovely beer garden. Great breakfast "

NT$4,294 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 8 - Sep 9

"Lovely little English country inn. Great food & beer, friendly staff, nice room. Loved staying here."

NT$4,005 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 1 - Sep 2

"The staff is great, property well maintained and every runs properly. We had a great time at the Plough"

NT$4,500 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 11 - Sep 12

"We stayed here for one night and it was perfect for that. The ladies in the pub are super friendly and we enjoyed the big breakfast and evening dinner. "

NT$4,541 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 1 - Sep 2

"I thoroughly enjoyed my recent visit to The Railway at Westerfield. Great location with easy access to trains and a large car park on site. The staff are great also, plus wonderful food. Much to like about the Railway Inn. "

NT$2,890 total

includes taxes & fees

Sep 14 - Sep 15