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Suffolk Coast National Nature Reserve

7.15 miles (11.5 km)

Ordnance Survey Map Open Streetmap This delightful coastal nature reserve is situated around the village of Walberswick in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It's an easy walk taking you past a wide variety of habitats including heathland, reed beds, grassland, woodlands, shingle, lagoons, mudflats and the salt marshes of the Blyth estuary. The reserve is great for wildlife watching. Look out for March Harrier, Bearded Tit, Water Rail and Bittern as you make your way along the waymarked paths.
This walk starts from Walberswick but you could also park at the car park off Lodge Road just west of the village. From the village you follow the Suffolk Coast Path west along the beach before coming to the Dunwich River, which guides you into the reserve. Footpaths then take you past Westwood Marshes and Fen Hill before skirting the edge of Dunwich Forest. You then follow other trails past Westwood Lodge before following a country lane to the woodland at Hoist Covert. The final section returns to Walberswick along the coast path.
If you would like to extend your walking in this lovely area then you could head south and visit Minsmere Nature Reserve and Dunwich Heath which are great for peaceful walks and wildlife.
Also nearby is the town of Southwold where you can follow the Suffolk Coast Path along the shingle beach and the River Blyth. The Sandlings Walk also starts from the town.

Suffolk Coast National Nature Reserve OS Map Ordnance survey map - Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking

Suffolk Coast National Nature Reserve Open Street Map Open Streetmap - Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking

Pubs/Cafes

In Dunwich you could enjoy some post walk refreshments at the Ship Inn. Once a haunt of smugglers, The Ship at Dunwich, is nestled in between Southwold and Aldeburgh. On colder days there's a nice cosy fire indoors, while in the summer there's a nice outdoor area with fruit trees. The pub also does accommodation if you need to stay over. You can find it in the little village on St James's St, with a postoce of IP17 3DT for your sat navs.

Further Information and Other Local Ideas

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.

Photos

Village green, Walberswick - geograph.org.uk - 774325

Village green, Walberswick

Walberswick dunes - geograph.org.uk - 133083

Walberswick dunes. The reserve was designated in 2003, combining the existing Walberswick National Nature Reserve with reserves at Dingle Marshes and Hen Reedbeds to create a 1,340 hectares (3,300 acres) reserve

Dunwich River - geograph.org.uk - 1108775

Dunwich River

Path through the grass - geograph.org.uk - 192223

Path through the grass. Field of reddish-coloured grass crossed by a path leading to Walberswick. The reserve has around 500 species of butterflies and moths, including the silver-studded blue and white admiral butterflies.

Alders in Westwood Marsh - geograph.org.uk - 2068272

Alders in Westwood Marsh

Ponies Lazing in the Sun - geograph.org.uk - 1982489

Ponies Lazing in the warm Sun in midsummer

Silver Birch amongst the heather - geograph.org.uk - 2070697

Silver Birch amongst the heather in late summer/early autumn.

Newdelight Walks, Blythburgh - geograph.org.uk - 1982510

Newdelight Walks, Blythburgh

Video

GPS Files

GPX File

Suffolk Coast National Nature Reserve.gpx (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold>Download Linked File)

Memory Map Route

Suffolk Coast National Nature Reserve.mmo (On Desktop:Right Click>Save As. On Ipad/Iphone:Click and hold >Download Linked File)