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Aldeburgh beach/Snape Maltings, Suffolk
10 miles (alternatively 6 miles)
FactFile
How to get there: From the A12 at Farnham,
take the A1094 to Aldeburgh
Parking: From Aldeburgh take the coast road
north towards Thorpeness, to the public car park adjoining Maggi Hambling's
controversial scallops sculpture on the beach. Alternatively, the public
car park at Thorpeness (although this will add a further mile to the walk)
Toilets: At Aldeburgh, Thorpeness and Snape
Maltings
Refreshments: Tea rooms and pubs in all three
places
This walk follows a section of the Suffolk Coast Path, starting on the
beach, crossing the coastal marshes and part of the Aldeburgh Golf Course
before joining the stunning Sailor’s Path through the woods above
the Alde estuary to Snape Maltings and its famous concert hall.
The going is good, but stout shoes or boots are advisable. Also windproof
clothing, as the exposed sections can be mighty chilly at this time of year.
This is not a circular walk – you return along the same route, which
passes through stunning countryside, which is well worth seeing a second
time from a different direction. You won't regret it!
1 Head north from Aldeburgh, or south from Thorpeness,
along the beach path. At the derelict cottage cross the road and look out
for the Suffolk Coast (SC) path marker.
2 Follow this well-trodden path across the RSPB’s
North Warren Nature Reserve. On the far side, cross the former railway track
(now a footpath) and, with the huge conifers on your left, continue along
the SC path, which soon turns into a single track lane.
3 This lane ends at its junction with the Aldeburgh/Leiston
road. Cross the road and through the gateway on to the Aldeburgh Golf Course,
following the yellow markers over the fairway. Watch out for golfers!
4
On the far side, pass through a second gateway and turn right on to a single
track lane, which winds its way to the main A1094 Aldeburgh road.
5 Turn right and follow the road westwards past
the golf course’s clubhouse, walking on the verges where possible,
as this is a fast road.
6 About a quarter of a mile past the clubhouse,
pick up the footpath sign on the left side of the road, which marks the
start of the Sailor’s Path. There’s a car park here (beside
the A1094) for people who prefer a walk of about six miles.
7 Follow the Sailor's Path through the fields
and woods, over a wetland boardwalk and more woods, to where it meets a
minor road at a sharp bend.
8 Turn immediately left, following the footpath
marker beside the fence, down the slope to the river wall.
9 Turn right and follow the river to Snape Bridge
and Snape Maltings on the far side.
After refreshments, retrace your footsteps back the way you came.
Points of interest
If starting from the Aldeburgh beach car park, visit Maggi Hambling’s
controversial scallops sculpture (right), a memorial to Aldeburgh composer
Benjamin Britten, and see for yourself what all the fuss is about.
If
starting from Thorpeness, take time to look around this unique village and
its artificial lake called the Meare, created shortly before World War One
by playwright, barrister and local landowner Glencairn Stuart Ogilvie, as
a sort of East Anglian Portmeirion.
Have
the binoculars to hand to catch the curlews as you cross the RSPB’s
North Warren Nature Reserve.
Where
the path skirts the residential areas of Aldeburgh, enjoy a good gawp at
the expensive homes in their huge gardens - you can see so much more at
this time of year with the leaves off the trees.
Opposite
the gate by which you leave the fairways of the Aldeburgh Golf Club is Benjamin
Britten’s former home The Red House, now the Britten-Pears Library.
Note the modern sculpture in the grounds as you pass the gateway to The
Red Studio next door.
As
you pass the clubhouse of this exclusive golf course, give a cheery wave
to members enjoying their G&Ts in the glass fronted sun lounge - and
giggle at the response.
Once
on the Sailor’s Path, keep your eyes open. There is so much to see
(so many miss so much by keeping their eyes fixed on the ground ahead),
including views over the fields and through the trees to the beautiful Alde
estuary. Have the binoculars ready, too, as there is plenty of wildlife
about, if you tread quietly.
Revel
in the views over the reed beds to the famous Snape Maltings concert hall.
And, when you get there, take a look around the many specialist shops (you
could spend a lot of money here), the wonderful red brick buildings and
at the sculptures dotted about the grounds.
There’s
a tea room at the maltings and a good pub, The Plough & Sail. There
are two other pubs in the village, The Crown Inn and The Golden Key, both
serving food.
By
the time you get back to the starting point, you will have earned another
cuppa. So try the tearooms in Aldeburgh or Thorpeness.
Walk taken from the Norfolk and Suffolk Walks book, published
as part of the Ordnance Survey’s Pathfinder Guide series.