Orford Ness and Suffolk Coast

[EasternSkies]

Off to Suffolk for few days, hoping to see the meteor shower in an area with little light pollution. (but there may be sea haze - oh well!)

We have booked to visit the NT nature / historical reserve at Orford Ness. Is it possible / enjoyable to swim on the far side of the reserve? Shall we take swimming things? Otherwise, where would be the closest place to swim at the end of the day? Aldeburgh?

We'd like to spend a day visiting Southwold and Walberswick - including some swimming / beach time. Would you park in Southwold and then walk / ferry to Walberswick or the other way round? And which is better for swimming?

Staying close to Halesworth.

Any other suggestions? We like beaches, sea swimming, natural features, history (I have been to BB's house and Leiston Long Shop). Will probably visit Dunwich Heath.

Best fish and chips in the area?

Thank you!

You will not be able to swim off Orford Ness. It is a very interesting place but you have to stick very carefully to the routes identified by the National Trust.

OK, thank you!
It just looked as if there was a short section that was along the shingle beach.
We definitely won't veer from the paths allowed.

No swimming at Orford, it's a tidal river at the quay. Yes swimming at Aldeburgh. The pier in Southwold is opposite end of the town to ferry to walberswick, Depends on what you prefer, how much you want to spend on parking, the ferry etc. We often drive to both in 1 day.

The queues for fish and chips in aldeburgh are long.
Framlingham and the castle is good. Check the tides for swimming at Southwold / walberswick too.
Thorpness is a favourite too with a boating lake and sandy beach.
Woodbridge is nice for a coffee etc.

Best sea swimming (in my opinion) is Shingle Street near Woodbridge. There is also a cracking chippy in Woodbridge, but the best fish and chips is Aldeburgh.

Walberswick is better than Southwold for swimming.

Shingle Street is an amazing place to swim. I swam there yesterday and am meeting friends for a full moon swim there at 8.30 tonight. If you join the Shingle Street Bluetits FB page you'll find info about where to swim - some bits of the coast there aren't safe.

Sutton Hoo is worth a visit, be sure to book yourself onto one of the (free) guided walks that take place every day at 12 and 2pm as you will get a lot more out of your visit. You could then go to Woodbridge to see where volunteers are building a replica of the ship on the quayside opposite Sutton Hoo.

As @Belladog1 says, best fish and chip shop in Aldeburgh. Eat them in the beach but watch out for the gulls! The best ice cream is from The Creamery in Woodbridge - flavours which are out of this world.

A fabulous walk is to park at Dunwich Heath NT car park, walk along the beach towards Size well, then head off inland towards Eastbridge where there is a great pub called The Eels Foot Inn. Then walk back across the heath to the car park. It's about 6 miles in total.

If you like swimming in the sea there is always the Beach at Sizewell. It is a shingle beach but there is plenty of sand at low tide. There is a great cafe there, plus public toilets and car park is free. You do course have a nuclear power station in the background but does make a good back drop for photos. Have a great holiday.

Hey Anna, I'm a Shingle Street Blue Tit too 🥰

For Orford, I definitely recommend booking the boat trip and visiting the Pump Street bakery. If you like history then the castle is worth a visit, although if have children then Framlingham is more child-friendly.
Southwold beach is mostly shingle, with some sandy areas towards the Denes. Walberswick is wilder, quieter and sandier. Parking is easier at Walberswick so I’d park there, walk to Southwold (where’s there’s a bigger choice of refreshments) and then walk back to Walberswick fortified with beer and ice cream! On the flip side, Southwold has some good shops and delis, so if you think you’ll be tempted then you might not want to lug your shopping all the way back to Walberswick.
Walberswick is great for crabbing so take bucket and crab lines if you’ve got them.

I have been to Shingle Street in the past - it was very misty - the most wonderful other-wordly place! A full moon swim sounds glorious - wish I was there now!.

We have been to Woodbridge and Sutton Hoo in the 'with the children' days so am concentrating N of Orford for this trip.

Unless Shingle Street draws me back for a swim and an early eve picnic after walking around the Orford Ness Reserve.

@Belladog1 hello! Are you swimming this evening?

@EasternSkies have a look at the Thorington Theatre programme. It's an open air theatre in the forest near Dunwich. We go every summer, it's a fabulous venue.

ETA. Thorington Theatre | Outdoor Theatre - Suffolk | Shows and Musicals https://share.google/eIU0zBLQh5AP3yTnO

Orford Ness is fascinating. We went a few years ago on a very hot day and unless things have changed, make sure to take a drink with you, there is nothing available once off the boat.

I wish, but unfortunately I'm unable to go. Have fun 😊