A couple of weeks ago, I spent a day out on the Suffolk coast. The day began in Thorpness and I walked to Aldeburgh. Both of these are lovely little places along the coast however, I don’t think you need a full day in either. This walk is a great way to spend the day as whichever way you do the walk, you get to tick off two places.
Thorpeness is a small village on the coast that is most famous for the man-made ‘meare’ that takes up the majority of the land. The ‘meare’ has lots of cute and quirky literary references as the Olgivie family, who owned the majority of the land, were friends with J.M Barrie, the author of Peter Pan. The ‘meare’ has sights such as Wendy’s house and Crusoe’s Island. A lot of these features are only accessible by boat from what I can gather however, you can rent rowing boats throughout the Spring and Summer months. My day began with breakfast sat in the cafe across from the lake called The Kitchen. This was a lovely little cafe with lots of regulars who came in for their morning coffees/teas. The staff were lovely and the food was delicious. It is not the cheapest but it was a nice way to start the day.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 7.1km
Elevation: 22m
OS Explorer: 212
Notable Features: Thorpeness ‘Meare’, Windmill & The House in the Clouds, The Scallop, RSPB North Warren
Look Out For: Swallows, Marsh Harrier
After a short wander down the beach, I began the walk from Thorpeness to Aldeburgh. After the meare, you soon come to another of the sights that Thorpeness has to offer: The House in the Clouds. This is actually a holiday let but, it is a oddly shaped building that stretches up above the trees. It reminded me of something you would see in the Faraway Tree series by Enid Blyton. There isn’t much to see but, right across from the house there is Thorpeness Windmill which is a Grade II listed mill that used to be used for water pumping. It pumped water to The House in the Clouds.
Skirting Thorpeness Golf Course, the footpath follows alongside the lake before entering an RSPB nature reserve. Here, my walk went a little downhill as the heavens opened and I was caught in the middle of a thunderstorm. Did I mention that I was wearing a dress? Luckily, I did also bring my raincoat along but, it wasn’t the most enjoyable experience. That was a lesson in being more prepared! Unfortunately, because of the weather, there wasn’t much activity in the nature reserve but I imagine there would be more about on another day.
Eventually, the path moves through a caravan park and you’re almost at Aldeburgh. This route joins the coast taking you along Aldebrugh’s pebble beach via the shell sculpture. The sculpture is one of the most famous sights of Aldeburgh as, depending on your perspective, the structure looks like something different. On the one hand, it looks like a shell but, if you face it side on, it looks like a ship. It was created by Maggi Hambling as a tribute to Benjamin Britten, a composer who lived in Aldeburgh and often walked along this stretch of beach1.
Other places worth a look in Aldeburgh include the museum which is a lovely old building and the Martello tower at the end of the beach. Although the tower itself isn’t the most exciting, you do get a nice walk along the coast. Of course, it wasn’t the best weather when I went but, I bet it would be beautiful on a bright summers day. In terms of other things to do in Aldeburgh, it’s a great town to get fish and chips and I also recommend the Two Magpie’s Bakery.
In terms of difficulty, this walk is essentially completely flat and does not require any climbing over stiles. The distance is a manageable one for people who don’t usually walk so it’s overall a very accessible day out for all the family! Click the link HERE for a more detailed look at the map on map pedometer.com.
Start Point: Car Park, Thorpeness
- Begin at the car park and turn right towards the meare. The Kitchen cafe should be on your right and the meare on your left.
- Take the road on the right of the meare.
- Take the second road on the left: Uplands Road. There are information boards at the start of the track.
- Continue straight up the track. You will soon reach Thorpeness Windmill on the left and The House In the Clouds on the right.
- When you approach Thorpeness Golf Course, take the footpath straight ahead, crossing the road.
- After several hundred metres turn left to enter the RSPB reserve.
- Continue straight for approximately 2km.
- At the caravan park, turn left. Follow the road straight through the park.
- Exit onto Church Farm Road and turn left.
- Follow the road to the coast.
- At the coast, turn left to see Aldeburgh’s Scallop structure.
- Then follow the coast to the right into the town centre.
End Point: Aldeburgh
This walk isn’t a hike; it’s a nice ramble between two lovely coastal spots. A walk for all the family!
Amie x
Explore with Amie 
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