Coast & Heaths Explorer Guide

Kessingland Highlights of Kessingland The Hundred River Valley was once the location of the port of Kessingland. At the Explorer Guide time of the , Kessingland was one of the richest coastal towns in Suffolk. Over the centuries, the sea blocked the mouth of the Hundred River with tons of shingle and trade became impossible. The valley is now a peaceful place of marshes and farmland.

The Wind Turbines are a striking, if very controversial feature of the landscape. The 125m high structures were erected in 2011 and supply enough power for 3,000 homes. Although they provide green energy, local opinion has been divided. St Edmund’s Church is one of the finest in the region. A notable feature is the huge tower, which was built in the 1400s as a beacon for fishermen working off the coast. A ship’s wheel is attached to the pulpit, recognising the village’s link with the sea.

Three wonderful walks

exploring the coastal village Images: Front cover – Kessingland Beach. A. Hundred River and Parish of Kessingland. Valley – once home to a thriving port. B. Wind Turbines – a controversial addition to the landscape. C. St Edmund’s Church Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – the huge tower was a beacon for fishermen. D. Rider Haggard Lane – Kessingland’s famous resident is remembered. E. Sand Dunes – a feature of the beach. F. Marram Grass – helps to stabilise the dunes – Michael Dietrich/Imagebroker/FLPA.

Suffolk Coast & Heaths Explorer Guide Kessingland lies on the north Suffolk coast within the Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The Parish includes coast, cliffs and productive farmland. Fossils of extinct mammals and evidence of very early human activity have been found here. The Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB The Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is one of Britain’s finest landscapes. It extends from the Stour estuary in 4 Sir Henry Rider Haggard (1856 - 1925) the south to the eastern fringe of Ipswich and north to Kessingland. The is famous as the author of best selling novels AONB covers 403 square kilometres, including wildlife rich wetlands, ancient heaths, windswept shingle beaches and historic towns and villages. King Solomon’s Mines, the Allan Quatermain Adventures and She. He had a holiday home Key to Map in the village called Kessingland Grange. The AONB area house no longer exists, but it was located at Visiting Kessingland Kessingland Additional project area Lowestoft

the end of Rider Haggard Lane. Towns and villages A145 Ordnance Survey Explorer Map No. 231 Key to Map A12 Woodland Beccles ( and ) AONB area Heathland Many of his novels were influenced by Additional project area Kessingland Main roads Southwold Car: access via the B1437 from Towns and villages A145 the time he spent in South Africa, where he worked for the colonial Railways/stations A12 River the A12. Woodland Blyth government. His character Allan Quatermain is said to be the template HeathlandSuffolk Coast Path/Stour and Orwell Walk HalesworthA144 Public transport information: Main roads Southwold for the film character Indiana Jones. Railways/stationsSandlings Walk River www.suffolkonboard.com or call Blyth /Stour Blythburgh Sailors’ Path A1120A144 Walberswick 0845 606 6171 and Orwell Walk SandlingsYou are Whealkre Kessingland Beach is Dunwich Sailors’ Path A1120 a designated Site of Special You are here Minsmere Scientific Interest (SSSI) due Lowestoft Tourist Information: www.lovelowestoft.co.uk Framlingham to its geology. The cliffs Saxmundham 01502 533600 Leiston include freshwater deposits Snape Wickham Snape Market River of gravel, clay and sand which Wickham Aldeburgh Southwold Tourist Information: Market River Alde Alde were laid down between A12 Rendlesham www.visit-sunrisecoast.co.uk A12 River River 600,000 and 700,000 years 01502 724729 Orford OrfordOre Ore ago. Fossils of sabre toothed WWoodbridgeoodbridge Orford NessOrford Ness Sutton HooSutton cat, hippopotamus, steppe Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB Hoo 01394 445225 Ipswich North Ipswich River North mammoth and rhinoceros have A14 Deben Sea www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org River A14 DebenBawdsey Sea been found in this layer. A14 Trimley St Mary/ River Orwell The discovery of flaked flints indicates A12 A14St Martin Alton Water Trimley St Mary/ Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB Park River Orwell OS Licence info. © Crown copyright A12 A137 St Martin very early human activity. The Shotley and database rights 2012 Ordnance is a partner of the BALANCE Alton Water Park River Stour Survey 100023395. cliffs are unstable, so please project, part-financed by the ManningtreeA137 Shotley Harwich European Union through Mistley Felixstowe keep away when you explore River Stour the Interreg IV A 2 Seas Manningtree the beach. Harwich Crossborder Programme. Mistley

The sand dunes on the beach are covered in Marram Grass. This has long roots which help to Printed on Recycled FSC, ECF, Carbon Balanced paper. Printed on Recycled FSC, ECF, prevent the sand from blowing. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty These three walks explore Kessingland’s quiet countryside and Kessingland beautiful coastline, taking in some lovely views on the way. Suffolk Coast & Heaths Explorer Guide

© Crown copyright and database rights 2012 Ordnance Survey 100023395. B1437

Countryside and Cliffs Kessingland A Stroll to the Sea Countryside Views Dogs are 5 A Road welcome, please Tangham 4 A12 B Road keep them under Forest C Road Nutgrove B1437 control and on Wood 1 ‘Highlights’ Location lead as advised Wild 2 Parking Wood 3 Start Public House Settlements Wooded Areas Blackcap Marsh Wood Africa Alive St. Edmunds Church 1

Distance Distance ‘Countryside and Cliffs’ 4.6 miles (7.4 km) ‘A Stroll to the Sea’ 2.9 miles (4.7 km)

Time: 2 hours 30 mins Time: 1 hour 30 mins Terrain: Paths and tracks can be muddy Terrain: Paths and tracks can be muddy after rain. Please be aware of traffic. after rain. Please be aware of traffic. We We recommend high visibility clothing. recommend high visibility clothing. The The path along the cliff is exposed path along the cliff is exposed and prone and prone to erosion. The cliffs are to erosion. The cliffs are unstable, so unstable, so please keep well away. please keep well away. A

Leave Beach Car Park and turn left Turn left out of car park. After short along pavement. Almost immediately distance, turn right down Wash Lane. Keep turn sharp left down track (Marsh Lane). on lane until sharp left bend. Enter Rider This soon becomes path behind houses. Haggard Lane and almost immediately Re-join another track and keep right. B take footpath off left.Follow path into Continue past sewage works. Track countryside. At cross paths, turn left. becomes path at entrance to private Follow path, then take next path off right. fishing lake. through open Keep on path Follow path, ignoring left turn over footbridge, to T junction with track. countryside. Go straight at two cross After entrance to Griffith Turn right. At cliff and steps, turn right along path (descend steps to visit some distance apart. Shortly after tracks, Close, follow path as it goes the beach). Path runs parallel with cliff, then heads inland around garden. At second cross tracks, path joins tarmac behind hedge. Continue beyond cross paths, turn left. Follow path through trees, ignoring right split. When until main road. lane. Continue on lane houses across field. At path T track reached, turn right. along junction, turn left (to shorten Cross road and turn right Follow track between hedges and then houses. Soon after entrance to Rider pavement. Just before St. Edmund’s route by 1 mile, turn right). At Haggard Lane on right, take path left between hedge and fence. Descend Church on right, beside next path junction, turn right. take path off left steps to beach and turn right. Follow path through dunes parallel with cliffs. entrance to industrial estate. Follow path, ignoring left turn Keep At promenade, continue until road joins from right. Turn sharp right and and between fences, over footbridge, to T junction straight past houses follow road past Sailor’s Home Pub back to car park. crossing a residential road. Path joins with track. Turn right. At cliff Lloyds Avenue. and steps, turn right along path (descend steps to visit the beach). Distance At T junction at end of Lloyds Avenue, Path runs parallel with cliff, then ‘Countryside Views’ 2.1 miles (3.4 km) turn right. Continue past shops and heads inland around garden. At school. Turn left into Clare Road and cross paths, turn left. Follow path follow right pavement. through trees, ignoring right split. Time: 1 hour When track reached, turn right. Terrain: Paths and tracks can be muddy after rain. Some sections on roads. Please between hedges and Follow track be aware of traffic. We recommend high houses. Soon after Rider Haggard visibility clothing. The path along the cliff , between Lane take path off left is exposed and prone to erosion. The cliffs hedge and fence. to Descend steps are unstable, so please keep well away. Countryside beach and turn right. Follow path Code through dunes parallel with low The area has a network of footpaths and cliffs. When promenade reached, bridleways. We have shown suggested Leave Beach Car Park and turn left along continue until road joins from routes on this map. Here are a few simple pavement. Almost immediately turn sharp suggestions to help you enjoy the area right. Turn sharp right and follow left down track (Marsh Lane). This soon safely and assist our work in caring for it. road past Sailor’s Home Pub back becomes path behind houses. Re-join Follow the Countryside Code: to car park. Plan ahead and follow any signs another track and keep right. Continue Leave things as you find them past sewage works. Track becomes path E Protect plants and animals, control fires C at entrance to private fishing lake. Keep and take your litter home. on path through open countryside. Go Dogs are very welcome, but please keep them under close control at all times and Images: A. Beautiful Countryside – great straight at two cross tracks, some distance on lead as advised. for walking. B. Kessingland Beach – apart. Shortly after second cross tracks, sweeping views towards Lowestoft. C. The Thank you. Promenade – a popular place to enjoy a path joins tarmac lane. Continue on lane Find out more about the Countryside Code: seaside stroll. D. Sand Dunes – a feature of until main road. the beach. E. Country Lane – one of many Then turn right and www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk lovely paths near Kessingland. follow road back to car park.