Warbleswick to Southwold and back - a great walk

Yesterday's walk had it all, even the retail therapy at the start of the walk and the opportunities for future present buying clocked half way round - it was a good job we were walking!!

I've done a little walking in Warbleswick before but more as a means to getting across the River Blyth which would then enable me to walk to Southwold, one of my favourite little seaside resorts. Yesterday I got to explore at least some of the paths I'd spotted before as I introduced Cajsa to the area and also tried out a 7.5 mile walk to share with clients and interested walkers. This walk is also great if you're not into hills ever or yet and the scenery and terrain are wonderful and ever changing.

e parked down by the River Blyth and wondered back through the village visiting some of the little shops and enjoying a coffee and the most wonderful carrot cake I've ever tasted. From there we were soon able to take off from the road and travel through allotments towards the River Dunwich.

On the allotments there was produce of all kinds in abundance as you would expect for this time of the year and this wonderful sunflower that I just couldn't resist photographing.

Heading for the river, we skirted a field on dry sandy narrow paths and then walked on duckboards through the reedbeds where we could look across to the dunes and sea beyond,until we came to the river itself.

The brick tower of the former drainage pump mill was our focus point as here, we left the Suffolk Coast Path that we'd joined for a while and turned right towards woodland. But first we stopped to admire the swans and to look back towards Warbleswick and to Southwold which we'd reach later. It's always worth remembering to look behind you as often you miss some of the best views.

The next view photos illustrate the changing terrain that we next found ourselves on.....

Signage was on the whole good with info on the area and what you could expect to see therefore dealing with the needs and interests of all kinds of walkers.

We walked through narrow paths of gorse and blackberries, which were delicious, on our way to the substantial footbridge over the River Blyth and from here headed across the golf course, past tennis courts and a circus before arriving in Southwold not far from the High Street.

It was very good that we were walking as it meant we weren't able to carry a lot - will just have to make a trip back sometime. Suppose this is a warning really, if you like shopping, you will be tempted.


Sampled some great organic ice-cream here as we wandered through the town and made our way down to the beach. Although warm but overcast at the start of the day, the sky was now a stunning blue and the wind which had picked up was crashing onto the beach. True to form though the beach was busy with sandcastle building families, kites, games of football and people in the sea. They were braver than me.

Here's me having some well earned fish and chips before walking into the wind as we headed along the beach for the River Blyth once again.

Walking back was like getting a free exfoliation as the sand was being blown towards us and stinging our faces and legs. I felt really exhilarated though, something about the power of sea and wind, it really made me feel alive.

Once we reached the river and turned away from the sea, everything calmed and we walked up the river enjoying the views and that wonderful mellow evening light that's so good for taking photos in.

The sun was beaming down as we stopped at the pub to sit and savor it all while we enjoyed a drink.

Then having missed the row boat ferry, it was on to the footbridge yet again to cross the river and time to soak up the last rays as we watched the canoeists and returned to the car.

The walk took us quite a while as we If you choose to do this walk, you can make a day of it as we did or be rather more focused on the task in hand and not get distracted by all there is to see and experience, it's up to you. What ever you decide, I'll be amazed if you don't have a great time.