The Sandlings Walk

There is little of the Sandlings landscape left today. In the 1930s it was a vast area of sandy heathland, however since then 80% has been lost and this very special area now makes up only 1% of the world’s lowland heath.

The Sandlings Walk is a beautiful and varied route through eastern Suffolk, travelling along riverside paths, through forests and across heathland. On its way between Southwold and Ipswich it passes through bustling towns and quaint villages, with lots of opportunities to stop for a spot of light (or not so light!) refreshment.

The route heads generally inland from Southwold, though it does coincide with the Suffolk Coast Path at several points, providing fantastic opportunities for a number of shorter circular walks.

Distance: 59 miles

Sandlings logo of a stylised nightjar on a wooden post, with a bold black arrow

Waymark: stylised nightjar logo

Start: Southwold Common

Finish: Bixley Heath, Ipswich

Map: Long Distance Walkers Association

Also marked on Ordnance Survey maps as Sandlings Walk

Further information: Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB

Gallery

Colourful beach huts along the prom at Southwold on a sunny day
a view of boats moored at jetties along the River Blyth at Southwold Harbour on a sunny day
a large group of walkers spread out along the Bailey Bridge between Southwold and Walberswick on a sunny day
Walberswick marshes in a snowy winter, with a tree belt and the square tower of a church visible in the background
view towards Walberswick across the Bailey Bridge at Southwold, with moored boats, then green meadows visible, on a sunny day
A grassy path through bright yellow gorse bushes emerging from the shade of a large tree on Walberswick Common
A former red brick wind pump standing proud amongst the straw-coloured reeds on a sunny day at Westwood Marshes
The imposing square flint tower and ruined aspects of St Andrew's Church, Walberswick
A close up image of a pretty yellow and red gorse flower next to a footpath along Walberswick Common
A view along a grassy path across marshland all the way to the sea in the far distance on a sunny day, with bright blue skies and whispy white clouds
A view down the River Deben from Wilford Bridge, with two boats moored alongside the grassy banks
view across the River Deben from the river path at Woodbridge, with green spits of land and gently sloping green banks in the background, with a moody cloudy sky
View along a grassy spit of land at Martlesham Creek, with two houseboats moored on the right and a small dinghy in the middle of the creek, with a moody cloudy sky
view through a gap in a holly hedge of a narrow sandy cross-field footpath edged on both sides by green crops in Martlesham
the Martlesham Control Tower Museum - a two-story pale green square building with a large 30 painted in black on a square structure on the roof, on a sunny day