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Waldringfield and the Deben Estuary circular walk
Big skies and open vistas: Waldringfield and the Deben Estuary
The gently sloping valley sides of the Deben estuary hold some of the AONB’s most characteristic scenery. This is a beautiful walk at any time of year but winter is a great time to explore it!
The Autumn and Winter months provide some of the best opportunities for walking in the Suffolk Coast and Heaths AONB. The summer visitors, whether human or natural, are long gone and the landscape has a sense of peace and tranquillity almost unrivaled in southern Britain. So what better time to take a leisurely stroll in the valley of the River Deben, where the only other walkers you’re guaranteed to see are dunlin, redshank and curlew, out on the estuary mud.
Astonishingly, this walk is only a few miles from Ipswich and the busy out-of-town shops of Martlesham, yet it feels a million miles away. It starts at Newbourne, a village just on the edge of the AONB. The car park at the village hall is an ideal starting point and the route begins with the footpath that leaves its lower right-hand corner. From the valley bottom (can be wet and slippery), the path quickly climbs up onto the surrounding arable land. It’s here that the only real obstacles on the route are encountered, two stiles that are a little slippery and might also present a problem for walkers with dogs or those with limited mobility.
At Hemley church, with its late-Tudor brick tower and yew trees, it’s possible to turn left for Waldringfield immediately, but it’s far better to go past the church, turn right and do the loop around part of Kirton Creek first. This takes you close to the river, with its tidal mud flats and salt marsh. The Deben has more saltmarsh than any other Suffolk river and provides vital nesting and feeding grounds for wading birds and wildfowl. Don’t be tempted to follow the river footpath beyond the fork back to Hemley as a breach in the river wall has made it impassable. Beyond Hemley, the path takes us along a farm track in splendid open country with big skies and outstanding views, the glittering River Deben never far away to the right. At the road, turn sharp right and continue gently down hill to the pretty riverside village of Waldringfield, popular for sailing and a great place to stop for a lunch.
When leaving Waldringfield, do not take the first footpath on the left but continue up through the village to the second. This takes you back over the open arable country to Newbourne, where the Fox pub offers another opportunity for refreshments. After crossing the last field, and with the village just ahead in the valley, the path through the copse can be tricky to locate. Skirt the right edge and it will be found. It then keeps to the left fringe of the trees before dropping to the road. There are no pavements in Newbourne, please watch out for traffic.
 Waldringfield Circular Walk |