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Sandlings Walk

54.7 miles (88 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap A walk through the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty from Southwold to Ipswich via Woodbridge.
The walk begins on the coast at Southwold before passing through the countryside and a series of forests. Long, peaceful wooded sections through Dunwich Forest, Tunstall Forest and Rendlesham Forest are major highlights of the walk. At Leiston you'll pass the delightful Minsmere Nature Reserve - one of the UK's premier birdwatching sites. There is also a pleasant waterside section along the River Deben in Woodbridge and views of the River Alde to enjoy.

Sandlings Walk OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Sandlings Walk Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

South of Woodbridge you will pass the pretty Martlesham Creek where you could make a pit stop at the noteworthy The Red Lion. The historic pub dates back to the 16th century when it was a originally a coaching inn on the old London to Yarmouth turnpike road. Now a Grade II listed country pub it has retained many of its 16th century features, including exposed wooden beams and open fireplace. It's well known in the area for its distinctive Red Lion figurehead which sits on the exterior of the pub. The historic piece was captured in 1672 from a Dutch ship at the Battle of Sole Bay. They have a good menu and can be found at postcode IP12 4RN for your sat navs.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

Just to the south of Leiston is the neighbouring village of Aldringham where you can explore the RSPB's Aldringham Walks. The wildlife rich conservation area includes a number of footpaths taking you to heathland, woodland and scrub.

Photos

Sandlings Walk Bridleway to Wantisden Corner - geograph.org.uk - 2628230

Sandlings Walk Bridleway to Wantisden Corner

Heather next to the footpath to Sandlings Walk over Blaxhall Heath - geograph.org.uk - 2563769

Heather next to the footpath over Blaxhall Heath

Sandlings Walk Bridleway to Upper Abbey ^ Potter's Farm - geograph.org.uk - 2512634

Bridleway to Upper Abbey & Potter's Farm

The Sandlings Walk - geograph.org.uk - 1211253

The trail as it leaves Knodishall and heads across the edge of Knodishall Common towards Friston.

Trackway through Dunwich Forest - geograph.org.uk - 2064617

Trackway through Dunwich Forest

Minsmere Reserve - geograph.org.uk - 2390502

Minsmere Reserve

River Deben near Woodbridge - geograph.org.uk - 900985

River Deben near Woodbridge. A wide area of saltmarsh fills the bend in the river, just south of Woodbridge, near the Deben Yacht Club buildings. The distinctive Tide Mill can just be made out in the distance, to the right in this photo.

Forestry Commission Road into Tunstall Forest - geograph.org.uk - 2666850

Forestry Commission Road into Tunstall Forest

Elevation Profile

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Sandlings Walk.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Sandlings Walk.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)