Walberswick and Westwood Marshes / 10 or 8 miles

Suffolk coast and heaths. Join me on this walk encompassing the best of the Suffolk coast. We’ll meet at the picture-postcard Walberswick and make our way around the edge of the village and marshes to join the Sandlings Walk. We then head through Westwood Marshes (Walberswick National Nature Reserve), walk beside the Dunwich River and onto the Suffolk Coast Path back to Walberswick. Those who wish to do a shorter walk can finish here, but I hope you join us for the remaining 2 miles. We then walk along the River Blyth with views of Southwold Harbour onto Walberswick Common. We pass St. Andrew’s Church which sits within the ruins of the much larger church and walk through Walberswick village and finish at the Bell Inn, a 15th century pub with real character, for refreshments.

Please only sign up if you can actually make the walk. If you then can’t attend, please mark yourself as not going.

Meet at 10.30am at Walberswick Common Car Park, Ferry Road, Walberswick, Suffolk, IP18 6TJ. The car park costs £5 for all day parking and the machine takes coins and cards. Please car share if you can (pop your car sharing offers in the comments). Toilets are available next to the Village Hall which we walk past at the beginning and end of the walk. Walk route: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/16770829/walberswick-and-westwood-marshes-10-miles?lat=52.311949&lon=1.614764&zoom=13.0410&style=Leisure&type=2d. Alternative route: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/17012294/walberswick-and-westwood-marshes-dry-route-11-miles?lat=52.309406&lon=1.613410&zoom=12.9336&style=Leisure&type=2d.

Hike Norfolk is part of the Ramblers and we are a friendly bunch who always welcome new members. You can join 3 Ramblers walks for free before signing up, so check us out! Further info: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/get-involved/join-the-ramblers.aspx

Please wear boots/sturdy shoes, clothing suitable for the weather, sun cream & plenty of water. Also bring a packed lunch and drink, The Tea Shed on Walberswick village green will be open if you want to grab food and drink before the walk. We’ll have lunch on Westwood Marshes. The main hazards on the recce were long stretches of treacherous mud in Westwood Marshes, so if the weather is wet beforehand there is an alternative route via Dunwich Forest which adds an extra mile onto the walk. There is an option to finish the walk at 8 miles (8.7 miles if we need to take the alternative route). There is a lot of walking in nature reserves, so dogs will have to be on a lead for much of the time and must be well behaved. Please write in the comments if you intend to bring a dog.

Please note, if you have COVID symptoms or have been asked to self-isolate, you must not attend a Ramblers group walk, but ensure you follow NHS guidance. I recommend bringing a face covering and hand sanitiser with you. I’ll be taking a register for contact tracing. Please read the Ramblers advice about taking part in group walks: https://www.ramblers.org.uk/-/media/Files/Volunteer%20Zone/Coronavirus/Aug%20update/Ramblers%20group%20walks%20-%20Information%20for%20walkers.ashx?la=en&hash=7C934BD8B775F8AECE779FAA8C0F8879

See you then!