Our gentle walking holiday in Suffolk combines the best of the beautiful and unique Suffolk coast and sandy heaths that lie between Woodbridge and Southwold. Brimming with boats and beaches, quirky pubs, wildlife and seafood galore, forest tracks and sinuous estuaries, this is a tranquil sometimes remote area perfect for gentle walking.

With a distinctive collection of hotels and 2 nights at each stop, you have the choice of relaxing on alternate days with a variety of boat rides on offer or exploring further on foot with the routes we include. Each overnight stay offers something different - the Deben estuary at Woodbridge, the spit at Orford, the town at Aldeburgh and the pier and sandy beach at Southwold - with a great deal of magic in between for you to discover!



Holiday details

Price

Classic

from £1,450 per person

Luxury

from £2,270 per person

Based on two people sharing a room

What’s included?

Transfer to Halesworth station at the end of the tour.  See what’s included as standard

Duration

8 nights

Start & Finish

Starts mondays in Woodbridge finishes Southwold. Woodbridge is on the main line railway and we transfer you from Southwold to the nearest mainline

Hotels

Classic

4 highly characterful inns or small hotels

Luxury

Three unique 4 star hotels and one 3 star restaurant with rooms

Holiday type

Self-guided

This tour is priced without a guide and you are free to explore on your own.  If you would like a guide for part or all of your trip, we are happy to provide a knowledgeable, local guide

Activity level

Gentle walking. More info...

Mileage

3 days of walking 8 - 11 miles (13 - 18 km) with 4 days of optional walking

Terrain

Flattish or flat





Itinerary day-by-day


Classic & Luxury

  1. 1. Day one

    Arrive Woodbridge

    Check into your hotel on Monday where you stay for 2 nights and relax. Explore the charming town of Woodbridge set on the Deben estuary. Its tidemill is worth a visit and takes you to the river front buzzing with boats. Enjoy a wander along the river path, this estuary is a peaceful haven and typical of Suffolk in atmosphere.

  2. 2. Day two

    Explore the Woodbridge area

    Here's a fascinating walk to start your holiday unless you decide to simply chill and enjoy the Suffolk vibe of good food and a laid back day. The walk takes you along the estuary, beside rivers, through the best of Woodbridge and across fields with rural views and local gems to boot. Return to your hotel for a second night there.

    Optional 7 miles (11 km) or more

  3. 3. Day three

    Woodbridge to Orford

    We transfer you after breakfast to the coast giving you a nose of the sea air and a shingle walk on the coast path before turning inland. Tracking a river your walk is deeply rural with a few ancient villages, wooded sandy heathland pockets and long views until you reach the inescapable charm of Orford village and its unique setting on the coast. You stay here for 2 nights so plenty of time to explore.

    11 miles (18 km)

  4. 4. Day four

    Explore the Orford area

    Today you can relax in this special little coastal haven and pootle down to the quay for a choice of boat rides exploring the unspoilt river for birds, fish and the views. If its a weekend and you prefer a longer walk, hop over to Orford Ness on the ferry and enjoy a circular walk in this weird and wonderful spot.

    Optional 6 miles (10 km)

  5. 5. Day five

    Orford to Aldeburgh

    After a leisurely breakfast we transfer you to the Alde estuary inland, quite a different scene from yesterday and abundant with reeds, marshes and wildlife. You walk takes you to Snape with its converted Maltings, forever a musical monument to Benjamin Britten. An old mariners path leads you on through rushes and over board walks and heaths to reach the coast and on to Aldeburgh. You have two nights here to discover this marvellous place and its maritime history.

    8 miles (13 km)

  6. 6. Day six

    Explore the Aldeburgh area

    Today' is free for you to choose to do what tickles your fancy. Discover Aldeburgh's enticing mix of High street shops, cafes and galleries, sit on the beach and ogle the artwork and Martello Tower. Or you could take our circular walk to charming Thorpeness discovering more of the coast path and an old rural railway line. Enjoy boat hire on the Mere, a great pub lunch and even golf and tennis if you are that way inclined.

    Optional 6 miles (10 km)

  7. 7. Day seven

    Aldeburgh to Southwold

    Here's another marvellous day of walking. yet again different from what's gone before. Start the day with a transfer further up the coast giving you the opportunity to walk into Southwold and Walberswick enjoying the coast path and inland heaths and unique wildlife. Much of the day is remote but there's a great stop at the little seaside hamlet of Dunwich. Old world charm oozes at Walberswick where the little ferry leads you past a bustling boaty scene into Southwold's fun of beach huts and pier. Stay for 2 nights to take it all in!

    9 miles (14 km)

  8. 8. Day eight

    Explore the Southwold area

    We suggest you take our short walk today which will lead you past the best of Southwold and Walberswick where there are many seaside diversions with plenty of time to enjoy them. The longer walk also includes heaths and woodland of this unique countryside. Or you may just opt for a final day day of complete relaxation. Consider a boat trip inland or out to sea, a brewery tour in Southwold and fun on the pier or simply dream on the sandy beach

    Optional 5 or 10 miles (8 or 16 km)

  9. 9. Day nine

    Depart Southwold

    After breakfast we transfer you to Halesworth station or back to your car in Woodbridge.