Only a hundred years ago, the Sandlings Heaths extended almost the entire length of the Suffolk coast as a huge swathe of unbroken sandy heathland. The intervening century has seen great change, with cultivation and industry fragmenting what was once a wild landscape.

Today, within the Suffolk Coasts and Heath Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), there are still remnants of the magical Sandlings. Efforts to conserve and restore these unique habitats make the region a delight for nature lovers. Plus, there’s more than just heathland to discover here, with atmospheric woodland trails, shingle beaches, vibrant rivers and estuaries, colourful meadows, historic towns and quaint villages.

The Sandlings Walk explores this and more, taking you through the AONB from the Suffolk county town of Ipswich to the charming seaside town of Southwold. It blends vibrant wildlife, invigorating coast, beguiling historical sites and even visits Britain’s answers to both Roswell and Atlantis!

Highlights include the historic town of Woodbridge on the Deben Estuary; the sprawling Rendlesham Forest with its military bases and associations with the paranormal; the delightful woodland and heaths at Tunstall Forest; the cultural centre of Snape Maltings with its famous concert hall; the village of Dunwich, a fallen medieval port that once rivalled 14th-century London in terms of size and importance; and the town of Southwold, with its harbour, pier and colourful, sandy beach.

In this Collection, I’ve split the Walk into five stages of between 7 and 14 miles (11–22 km) in length. The shorter stages bookend the Walk, with the longer outings in the middle. All stages end near suitable accommodation but it is not always plentiful, so it is worth booking in advance. Where options are scarce, I name specifics in the Tour descriptions.

There are two official start points for the Sandlings Walk: one from Heath Road by Rushmere Common and an alternative that starts at St Augustine’s Church. I have included a link to the alternative route in the description of the first stage, allowing you to choose whichever you’d like to do.

With 58 miles (93 km) to cover, this is a great introduction to long-distance walking, as the gradients are relatively flat throughout and the going underfoot is soft. It’s worth taking decent hiking footwear and packing waterproofs just in case. In the warmer months, don’t forget your sun cream either.

Spring is a beautiful time to take it on, when the trees and wildflowers are at their most colourful, while flowering heather proliferates in late summer and early autumn.

There are plenty of villages, shops and eateries en route, though there’s a long stretch between the town of Woodbridge and Snape Maltings in stages 2 and 3 where amenities are in short supply. With this in mind, it’s worth stocking up on supplies and carrying plenty of water.

The Walk is accessible via public transport via train to Ipswich’s main station. From there you can take a train to Derby Road, which is a short distance from both potential start points.

To return from Southwold, you can take a bus to either Lowestoft or Halesworth and catch a train from there.