Coast & Heaths Explorer Guide

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 the south to the eastern fringe of and, in the north, to . It covers 403 square kilometres, including wildlife-rich wetlands, ancient heaths, windswept shingle beaches and historic towns and villages. Key to Map Visiting Shotley Beccles AONB area Explorer Guide Kessingland Ordnance Survey Map No. 197 Additional project area Lowestoft (Ipswich, & ) Towns and villages A145 Key to Map A12 Woodland Beccles Access via the B1080/B1456 from the AONB area Heathland Halesworth Additional project area Kessingland A137/A12. Parking can be limited on Main roads Towns and villages A145 very busy days. Railways/stations A12 River Woodland Blyth HeathlandSuffolk Coast Path/Stour Blythburgh Walberswick and Orwell Walk HalesworthA144 Public transport information: Main roads Southwold www.suffolkonboard.com or call Railways/stationsSandlings Walk River Blyth SuffolkSailor s’Coast Path Path/Stour A1120 Blythburgh Walberswick 0845 606 6171 and Orwell Walk A144 SandlingsYou are Whealkre Minsmere Dunwich Ipswich Tourist Information: Sailors’ Path A1120 You are here www.allaboutipswich.com Framlingham Minsmere Saxmundham 01473 258070 Framlingham Leiston Saxmundham Leiston

Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB Snape Wickham Snape Market River 01394 384948 Wickham Aldeburgh Market www.suffolkcoastandheaths.org Rendlesham Alde A12 Rendlesham A12 River River Shotley Explorer has Orford OrfordOre Ore WWoodbridgeoodbridge Orford NessOrford Ness been produced with the Sutton HooSutton generous support of Hoo Ipswich North Shotley Parish Council Ipswich River North A14 Deben Sea River and Suffolk County Council via A14 DebenBawdsey Sea A14 Trimley St Mary/ its Locality Budget Grants. A12 A14St Martin Trimley St Mary/ River Orwell OS Licence info. © Crown copyright A12 A137 St Martin Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB is a Shotley and database rights 2012 Ordnance Alton Water Felixstowe River Stour Survey 100023395. partner of the BALANCE project, ManningtreeA137 Shotley Harwich part-financed by the European Mistley Felixstowe River Stour Union through the Interreg IV A Manningtree 2 Seas Cross-border Programme. Harwich Mistley Explore ships, shores and local heritage starting from Shotley Gate. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Research, text and some images by Simon Peachey. Printed on Recycled, Carbon FSC, ECF, Balanced paper. Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty

Shotley Gate sits at the tip of the , where the rivers Orwell and Stour Shotley meet. These walks visit peaceful countryside and offer views of the docks at Felixstowe and Suffolk Coast & Heaths Explorer Guide Harwich. You may see some of the largest ships in the world manoeuvring in the harbour.

4 Shotley Church and C Highlights of Shotley Naval Cemetery are located on high ground some way from 1 Harwich Haven is the best natural the village. The church dates harbour on the east coast of . On from the 1400s. Opposite the the north bank of the River Orwell is the church is a naval cemetery. It Port of Felixstowe. It is the UK’s largest contains the graves of sailors port, handling 40% of all containerised from the Royal Navy, Merchant trade. Harwich International Port lies across Navy and the Dutch and German the estuary on the south shore of the River Navies who died during WWII. A Stour. Harwich hosts a busy ferry and cruise 5 Golden Wood and Wildflower Meadow is a ‘community liner terminal. 3 The Stour and Orwell woodland’ established in 2004 and managed by local people. The 2 HMS Ganges Museum, located Estuaries contain mudflats land was donated by local landowners and funding at Shotley Marina, tells the story of HMS and saltmarsh which are for the project came from environmental Ganges with many exhibits, photographs a haven for wading birds. organisations, such as the Suffolk Coast & and artefacts on display. The Royal Navy Every autumn 40,000 Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Training Establishment at Shotley opened wildfowl and wading birds Local children have planted native trees in 1905 and over 150,000 Naval Cadets make an incredible journey and hedges. were trained up until it closed in 1976. The to feed and roost here. You Shotley Heritage Park. In 2012, Museum is open 11am – 5pm, Saturday, can often see vast flocks Shotley Parish Council purchased Sunday and Bank Holidays from Easter probing the mud. Migrating 7 acres of woodland and 50 acres through to the end of October. The former birds, such as sandpiper and of foreshore adjacent to the River site of HMS Ganges at Shotley Gate is now greenshank, are present in Stour at Shotley Gate. Babergh a designated Conservation Area. spring and autumn. Drainage District Council, Suffolk Coast & dykes inland of the river Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural ‘walls’ provide a vital habitat Beauty (AONB) and the local County for insects, including the Councillor all contributed to help Emperor Dragonfly, the fund the purchase. This community largest in the UK. recreational area has outstanding views of Parkeston Quay, Harwich, and across Images: Front cover – The River Orwell. A. The Orwell Estuary – a great wildlife the River Stour to the County of Essex. habitat. B. Port of Felixstowe – The Stour The woodland is being managed to help and Orwell host busy ports. C. St. Mary’s Church and Naval Cemetery – peaceful and protect flora and fauna, and to inform poignant. D. Green Man – watches over the visitors about the heritage of Shotley. B community woodland. These walks explore the Orwell and Stour estuaries. Enjoy superb views Shotley of Harwich Haven and the Port of Felixstowe. The ‘Two Rivers Walk’ Suffolk Coast & Heaths Explorer Guide visits Shotley Naval Cemetery and community woodland.

Broomfield © Crown copyright and database rights 2012 Ordnance Survey 100023395. Covert St. Mary’s Church

New 4 Covert

Alderton’s 5 Grove

Shotley B1456 Marshes Two Rivers Walk Shotley 3 Shotley Point Stroll

Orwell B Road Estuary C Road 1 ‘Highlights’ Location Shotley Marina Shotley Parking Public House Dogs are 6 Gate 2 Caravan Park welcome, please 3 Church keep them under Stour Settlements control and on Estuary N Marsh Land lead as advised 1 1000ft Wooded Areas 200m

Distance Distance ‘Two Rivers Walk’ 5.3 miles (8.5 km) ‘Shotley Point Stroll’ 3.1 miles (5 km)

Time: 2 hours 30 mins Time: 2 hours Terrain: Paths and tracks can be Terrain: Paths and tracks can be muddy after rain. Cattle are often muddy after rain. Cattle are often grazing on the marshes, so please grazing on the marshes, so please keep dogs on leads. Some sections keep dogs on leads. Some sections near deep water. This walk takes near deep water. This walk takes you onto public highways. We you onto public highways. We recommend high visibility clothing. recommend high visibility clothing. D

A Stand with back to Bristol Arms Stand with back to Bristol Arms When you reach houses turn and walk left, following river wall and walk left, following river wall to left. Follow path beside gardens, to Shotley Marina. Keep to wall Cross road and take ‘Restricted Shotley Marina. Keep to wall through along field edge.Either take a through Marina, cross inner lock Byway’ to right of farm. At cross Marina, cross inner lock gate and right turn, at coastal footpath gate and continue around seaward tracks beside Shotley Cottage, continue around seaward side of sign and continue to the Bristol side of Marina. continue straight towards River Marina. Arms. Or, walk past ‘Coastal Stour. Path’ marker up the hill into Turn right along river wall at path Turn left at next path junction and for some When you reach houses turn left. the woodland. Follow upper junction. Follow wall follow path behind marina. Take distance (ignore path to left and Follow path beside gardens, along woodland path through the next right and continue beside fence steps near sluice). Keep straight field edge. Either take a right Heritage Park. Emerge from to road. Cross road and turn right. ahead for 200 metres. turn, at coastal footpath sign and woodland, turn right into continue to the Bristol Arms. Or, At end of row of houses, take track Go left at the ‘footpath’ sign down Estuary Road. Continue down to walk past ‘Coastal Path’ marker left. At cross tracks beside Shotley sea wall, through gate and along main road and turn right to the up the hill into the woodland. Cottage, turn left towards river. edge of field.Ignore path to right Bristol Arms. Follow upper woodland path and continue through next field to through Heritage Park. Emerge In addition to above routes, a gate in top right corner. Follow track. from woodland, turn right into short walk is possible following Turn left at ‘Cycle Route B’ sign.’ Estuary Road. Continue down to path beside river. You may return Pass Shotley Church and continue main road and turn right to the by the same route, or take a straight at crossroads. Bristol Arms. circular walk along the lower Opposite Shotley Hall, take path Countryside coastal path and return through left. Follow path through trees, across Code the Heritage Park on the upper footbridge and along field edge. The area has a network of footpaths and woodland path. Emerge from bridleways. We have shown suggested At houses, turn left along path to routes on this map. Here are a few simple woodland, turn right into Estuary road. Turn right and follow road to suggestions to help you enjoy the area Road. Continue to main road. junction with main road. Turn right safely and assist our work in caring for it. Turn right to Bristol Arms. until opposite Rose Farm. Follow the Countryside Code: C Plan ahead and follow any signs B Leave things as you find them Protect plants and animals, control fires and take your litter home. Dogs are very welcome, but please keep them under close control at all times and Images: A. Boats at Shotley Marina – all sizes of on lead as advised. craft use the estuary. B. Shotley Naval Cemetery – contains the graves of sailors who lost their lives Thank you. in WWII. C. The River Stour – a tranquil scene, yet Find out more about the Countryside Code: bustling Parkstone Quay is close by. D. The Port of Felixstowe – spectacular views from this walk. www.countrysideaccess.gov.uk E. Shotley Picnic Area – a great place to have a snack after your walk. E