Shottisham - Sutton - River Deben - Ramsholt - Shottisham

Brian and Anne Sandland

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We have done this walk on many occasions and always found it reasonably strenuous. If the tide is in it can mean you need to miss out some parts of the foreshore by staying higher up the riverbank or on little-used paths through thick woodland. If the tide is low you should not venture too far towards the water, because in places the mud is treacherous. In fact this is not a walk for the faint-hearted. If you are awaiting a heart bypass or your second replacement of the same hip, in fact, I would definitely recommend you give it a miss. However, if you have some modicum of stamina and a hint of a spirit of adventure, you will not regret undertaking this walk. The views are great! The variety of birdlife is incredible. As well as a very wide variety of ducks and other common waterfowl - oystercatchers, curlews and peewits abound - and in the autumn you can pick stones of the freshest and cleanest blackberries you'll ever find. Walnuts and sweet chestnuts in great number can also be had in season!

England - East England - Suffolk - River Walk

Features

Birds, Butterflies, Church, Flowers, Food Shop, Great Views, Pub, River, Wildlife, Woodland
7/31/2015 - Neil Ashton

Did this walk a couple of days ago with no problems. The water was high so we didn't attempt any foreshore walking and the path is fine. I took a walking pole for nettle beating which turned out to be a good move. As the previous reviewer noted, the stiles are now gates. I don't remember the first gate referred to in the notes for WP8, just the second one after you bear left when the hedge ends. We chose to start the route at the Ramsholt Arms, so we came in at WP17/18. Personally I think this is a better option - there are 2 large car parks, and you end up at a nice pub overlooking the river. Perhaps the authors could consider a more prominent reference to this option in the route summary description and in the text for WP17/18. Overall a very enjoyable walk. Neil

1/4/2015 - Judy Brua

Don't let the comment about it being not for the faint-hearted put you off - it almost did put us off but we are very glad we did it. It is easy to miss the foreshore if the tide isn't out. The only bit we found hard was the marshy field at waymark 18, which was very marshy (admittedly in January) - you wouldn't want to do it in non-waterproof shoes. Many of the stiles have been replaced by swing gates which makes it easier. Waymark 12 was a bit difficult, finding the correct path. We initially went all the way to the foreshore, which was a bit too far, and had to come back. Then we had to force our way through a bit of a thicket. In retrospect, it might have been better to stay on the foreshore for about a quarter mile, then come back to the inland path. At Waymark 13, if the tide is in, don't descend to the foreshore - the river bank walk just continues and is easy