What's on
Sizewell circular walk
A Sizewell summer walk
For a walk with plenty of variety, a slice of fascinating local history and some outstanding wildlife, the area around Sizewell takes some beating. Malcolm Farrow, Communications Officer with the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Unit takes a leisurely stroll...
The area around Sizewell has always been one of my favourite parts of the AONB. This Walk, approximately six miles in length, takes in an interesting variety of scenery, all highly characteristic of the area - and there’s plenty of other things to see as well. In the summer, this walk is easy and straightforward and no special equipment is needed, although some areas can be muddy, especially after wet weather. It's also a good walk to do throughout the rest of the year, although some paths are likely to be muddy, especially in more marshy areas. Be aware that, even in summer, the weather on the coast can be changeable - it’s worth taking a coat... and suncream, just in case!
We set off from Sizewell beach car park, which is reached by following signs to Sizewell from Leiston. As you approach the car park, the view is dominated by the grey bulk of Sizewell ‘A’ power station. Like it or loathe it, the nuclear power station is a major landmark in the area, visible for miles around, along with the power lines that stretch away from it.
From the car park we set off north up the beach, past the power station on our left. Already there’s plenty to see... and hear. During the spring and early summer kittiwakes nest on the rig-like structures just off the coast. Once you’ve got your ears tuned in, their call is easy to pick out... kit-ti-wake, kit-ti-wake... they’re one of several species of birds that say their name! At the top of the beach there are excellent areas of vegetated shingle, but please don’t tread on the delicate plants and, if you have a dog, keep it on a lead - there may be ringed plovers nesting on the beach, well worth looking out for!
After approx two miles we reach the Minsmere sluice, with the river, stretching away, ruler-straight to the west. We turn away from the coast here, go through the first gate and follow the footpath along the southern bank of the river, keeping the river on our right. If you go over the river, you’ve gone the wrong way! In spring and early summer this part of the walk offers superb opportunities to see and hear birds - not surprising as our footpath crosses part of the RSPB’s outstanding Minsmere Nature Reserve, one of the finest wildlife areas in Britain! Avocets, terns, gulls, wildfowl and wading birds are all likely to be seen. If you’ve brought a pair of binoculars with you, its well-worth keeping them handy; but listen out too for the chattering call of reed warblers and sedge warblers, hiding among the reeds during the summer months. In winter, many of the summer species will have migrated south but there's still plenty to see and hear. Instead of birdsong, you're likely to hear the honking calls of geese as they fly overhead.
The footpath meanders away from the river as it heads inland. On our left is a strange, squat ruin, all that remains of the first Leiston Abbey, founded by Premonstratension Canons in 1182. The Canons, who’d come to England from France, were given a large area of land which was managed to provide for their needs; it’s thought that orchards, fish ponds and rabbit warrens were created, peat was dug for fuel and the Canons also extracted a toll from ships that used the little port of Sizewell. Unfortunately, the abbey began to be flooded regularly by the sea and the Canons moved to a new site near Leiston in the early 14th century. Our path takes us through lush, damp meadows and past little copses of oak and alder, eventually coming to Eastbridge after approximately one and a half miles. This section of the path is an excellent place to see marsh harriers, one of the most famous of Minsmere’s birds. They can often be seen flying low over the marshes with their wings held in a shallow ‘V’.
At Eastbridge, we turn left again and follow the small road for about a third of a mile (taking care to watch out for traffic) before turning off left onto a bridleway. But before leaving Eastbridge you might, like me, be feeling thirsty. Forgotten your flask? No problem, a short detour right down the road takes us to the surreally-named Eels Foot pub, an ideal stopping off point, roughly half way round our walk.
Having left Eastbridge, the bridleway takes us south through the Sizewell Estate and we follow this leafy lane for about a mile until we reach the edge of Kenton Hills. Here we turn left, cross the car park and follow the path down through the woods before turning right where the track forks. Turn right again shortly afterwards at the ‘Sizewell Belts Walk’ sign by the little pond and cross the boardwalk onto the low lying area of wet meadows (no dogs in this area). The Sizewell Estate is managed with nature in mind and, like Minsmere, is rich in wildlife. It’s a great place to see dragonflies and other insects, as well as birds and rare wild flowers such as southern marsh orchid. Once across the marsh our path rises again before eventually joining up with a bridleway. The final leg of our walk takes us past Sizewell power station again before reaching the road where we turn left once more and walk the short distance back to the beach and car park.
And, if all that walking’s made you thirsty again, why not stop at the Sizewell T cafe for refreshments - the perfect end to an excellent walk!
 Sizewell Walk Map |