Tuesday, 26 December 2006

Walks

Dunwich circuit

[Holly and berries]

Distance: 5.11 miles
Ascent: 51 metres
Duration: 1 hour 39 minutes

Still walking it off

If you've time for just one walk in Suffolk, make it this one. It's a circular walk: out along the beach, then back across the heath on the way-marked Suffolk Coast and Heaths Path. You can start either in Dunwich village or as I prefer at the Coastguard Cottages on Dunwich Heath.

[Dunwich beach]

Wherever you start, be sure to walk the beach first. It's a two mile stretch of shingle that'll take an hour to complete, with no short cuts available. But it's rewarding: no matter how busy either end is, the middle section is always deserted - very few walk the entire stretch.

If you've walked northwards on the beach, turn left just by the fishing boats and keep an eye out for the footpath which begins on the left just by the Ship Inn. If you've walked southwards, head up to the Coastguard Cottages and pick up the Coast and Heaths path behind the toilet block.

[The gates at East Friars]

The walk back over the heath is further than the beach, but much easier going. Above the low cliff the remains of the Greyfriars are the most visible reminder of ancient Dunwich. At one point it looked as if the city's five lost churches were to be marked by huge sculptures off the shore here as part of the Landmark East project. Local opposition has caused the project to be scaled back and relocated thirty miles to the south at Walton.

Posted by pab at 18:34 | Comments will be back later in the year. Please email me instead!