Southwold to Walberswick Circular Walk

4.1 miles (6.6 km)

This is a popular circular walk from Southwold to Walberswick, passing along the coast and the River Blyth. It's an easy stroll, running for about 3 miles on a flat section of the Suffolk Coast Path, passing some of the marshland surrounding the two settlements.
Walk Report October 8th 2026 By Eleanor Price:
Southwold was already busy when I arrived, with people heading towards the pier and families making their way down to the beach.... I began along the seafront, passing the lighthouse and the long stretch of sand and shingle before turning towards the harbour. The weather was bright but breezy, with the sort of coastal wind that makes you glad of a jacket even when the sun is out.
The harbour was a good place to pause for a while. Fishing boats were moored along the river, and I watched people gathering near the landing point for the little ferry across to Walberswick. It is a wonderfully old-fashioned service, using a small rowing boat rather than a large passenger ferry. The crossing only takes a few minutes, but it is part of the appeal of visiting this stretch of Suffolk coast. I decided to follow the walking route along the harbour and marshes first, saving the ferry for later.
Beyond the harbour, the path became quieter as I followed the River Blyth towards Woodsend Marshes. The landscape here is very different from the busy seafront, with wide skies, reed beds and muddy creeks opening out around the estuary. I stopped several times to watch the birds on the water and mudflats. The paths are flat and easy going, although I could imagine some of the marshier sections becoming muddy after prolonged rain.
Crossing the footbridge brought me to the Walberswick side of the river. The village has a lovely, understated character, with its old cottages, little lanes and traditional pubs, and it feels noticeably quieter than Southwold. I walked down towards the beach, where the dunes and marshes give way to a broad stretch of sand and shingle. Near the river, children were trying their luck at crabbing, a familiar sight here in the warmer months. Walberswick's beach huts are another distinctive feature, with their dark-painted timber standing out against the pale sand and grasses.
I wandered back into the village and stopped at The Anchor for a drink and something to eat. Its garden is a particularly appealing place to sit when the weather allows, and it was a welcome chance to rest before making my way back towards the river. The village is small enough to explore on foot, but there are plenty of places where it is tempting to linger a little longer.
For the return, I opted for the little ferry across the Blyth. It is a small, friendly operation, and the short crossing gives you a different view of the harbour and marshes from the water. The boat is usually rowed across, although the current can run strongly enough for the crew to use a powered boat when conditions require it. I could see why people make a point of using the ferry rather than treating it simply as transport: it is a memorable little part of the outing in its own right.
Back in Southwold, I had time for one last look along the waterfront before heading home. This walk works particularly well because the two settlements have such different characters: Southwold has its lively seafront, pier and working harbour, while Walberswick offers quieter lanes, beach huts and marshland. The riverside paths and the ferry crossing link them together beautifully, making a relatively short walk feel like a much fuller coastal day out.
As an alternative route you could continue along the Blyth to Reydon Marshes and Tinker's Marshes before crossing Walberswick Common to reach the village. You can extend your walking by heading to the Suffolk Coast National Nature Reserve which is located just to the west of the village. It's a great place for walks and wildlife watching with a wide variety of habitats including heathland, reed beds, grassland, woodlands, shingle, lagoons, mudflats and the salt marshes of the Blyth estuary.
Pubs and More Info
The Anchor in Walberswick is a nice place to stop for refreshments on the walk. Located close to the beach it has a good sized garden area where you can relax on warmer days. You can find the pub at a postcode of IP18 6UA for your sat navs. It's also dog friendly if you have your canine friend with you.
The Dunwich to Walberswick Walk is a good option for continuing your exercise around the town. The 7 mile circular walk visits Walberswick before returning to Dunwich along the beach.
The circular Blythburgh Walk starts at the nearby village and visits the Westwood Marshes, Walberswick and Dunwich Forest. The village is located just to the north west of Walberswick and includes trails along the River Blyth and a noteworthy 14th century church which is lit at night. There's also a notable 16th century pub with an excellent garden area overlooking the estuary. If you followed the Blyth river west from the settlement you will soon come to the neighbouring town of Halesworth. This town has some interesting history with a walk down the central Thoroughfare highly recommended. The pedestrianised area includes many buildings dating back to the sixteenth century.
For more walking ideas in the area see the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Walks and the Suffolk Walks pages.