Walking in Suffolk

Suffolk is a beautiful county with lots to see and do, and what better way to get a sense of the place than walking through the open countryside and through our picturesque villages?

Even the FT, in the first of a series of monthly great British walks chose Suffolk as their starting point - see The 'Black Shuck' route near Southwold by Tom Cox - The Black Shuck route, Southwold

Pub Strolls in Suffolk


PUB STROLLS IN SUFFOLK by Stowmarket author and walking enthusiast CYRIL FRANCIS is the ideal book to show you where to go and what to see in Suffolk. It contains thirty circular routes, all 5 miles or less and suited to all age groups. Please click on the link above for more information

For a walk with a difference, check out the wonderful guided trails on offer from Treasure Trails Suffolk. This is great fun for all ages - not to mention great exercise! - especially for those interested in the history of Suffolk and those on family days out. Here's how it works -
you complete each Trail whilst solving around 20 clues on the way as you are guided around the highlights of each area by the Treasure Trails team. Submit the correct answers and you could win a cash prize! Walking Trails are currently available in Woodbridge, Aldeburgh, Felixstowe, Thorpeness and Kesgrave. Please click on the link above for full details.

Country Parks in Suffolk



There are a number of Country Parks in Suffolk that are all beautiful locations perfect for picnics, relaxing strolls, scenic jogging or fun - and free! - family days out.

In Suffolk we're lucky to have a few dedicated websites that provide comprehensive information on paths and tracks, and also guided walks. One of these is Getting Out, offering guided walks for all the family in picturesque Suffolk and bordering countryside.

* How many times have you wanted to go walking in the countryside BUT were worried about losing your way?
Let the GETTING OUT guide take care of that for you! All you need to do is book at least 2 days in advance for the walk for non-diners, 3 days or more if you wish to dine at the pub , find the walk's starting place, then relax and enjoy some pretty countryside walking in Suffolk, Essex or parts of Norfolk. Walking boots or strong shoes are advisable.
"GETTING OUT" is NOT a club, so there are no MEMBERSHIP FEES. You simply pay £4.00 per adult at the beginning of the walk. Children are welcome if accompanied by an adult. Under 16's are free.

* How often do the walks take place and where can I get the information?
Most Saturdays throughout the year, some Public holidays and on Thursday evenings from mid-May to mid-August. Brochures are available on the walks and from Suffolk Tourist Information Centres
Check out their website link above for details of their programme of future guided walks in Suffolk.

Walks into History: Norfolk & Suffolk


Find 16 circular routes of between 3½ and 7 miles in length which take the walker through 3,000 years of the Norfolk & Suffolk’s colourful past in Walks into History, a book by John Wilks.

(Hadleigh Church above - for more information see Hadleigh)



Another excellent source of information for Walking in Suffolk can be found on John Harris's website Walking in Suffolk

This is a first class website providing up-to-date information and maps on walks in Suffolk so we thoroughly recommend that you check it out.

Many of the trails in Suffolk are easy walking, partly because Suffolk is infamously flat! So ramblers with disabilities can get about and enjoy our countryside reasonably easily. The best organisation to contact for information on accessible trails and group hikes are the Disabled Ramblers. From their website "We are a group of like-minded disabled people who enjoy being in the countryside, and who get about using paths and trails of all kinds. We are truly 'ramblers', although very few of us can walk more than a few yards! Our membership consists mainly of mobility disabled people and we get about mainly through use of a wide variety of mobility aids, ranging from electrically powered pavement buggies, scooters, powerchairs and, in some cases, manually propelled wheelchairs. We organise rambles of varying difficulty from easy to challenging all over England and Wales, and, along with our volunteers, spouses and friends, each event provides recreation and challenge to suit every taste. " Click on the link above to access their website for more details.

Picnic Sites in Suffolk


Picnics are fantastic for families and those wanting to relax in nature. There are loads of beautiful sites to choose from - please click on the link above.

You can find car parks close to the start points of the walks. No need to worry about getting lost. Landowners, farmers, town councils and Suffolk walkers have co-operated with upkeep and clear signage. There are short and circular routes (perhaps so that you can arrive back at the village pub you started from?). Or you can choose more ambitious journeys, even ones stretching the county for true hikers, and many walks start and finish at railway stations for the convenience of those wishing to leave car behind.

Pocket Pub Walks in Suffolk


Click on the link above for a details on POCKET PUB WALKS IN SUFFOLK by CYRIL FRANCIS - a handy guide to walking in Suffolk including a matching numbered map, details of distance and terrain, places of interest along the way and, most importantly, a recommended pub serving good food.

Walking in Suffolk is miraculous. It is about changing landscapes and those fascinating wide, wide, skies. You will travel over farmland, disused railway tracks, woodlands, nature reserves, meadows, heather, higher ground and into valleys, past mills, ponds, lakes, churches, and into parkland. Or you can take a coastal tour, encompassing sea, creeks, marshland and cliffs, taking in beaches and harbours, perhaps around Southwold. Family walking in Suffolk can start from the picnic sites of Gripping Valley, or pick up lovely trails around villages such as Lavenham.


The Brecks are one of the great natural areas of Britain spanning 370 sq. miles/940 sq. kilometres across Norfolk and Suffolk in the heart of the East of England – one of the driest parts of Britain. The Brecks is steeped in human history stretching back to the Stone Age. A Neolithic Flint mine (The Brecks is the flint capital of the UK), Medieval rabbit farming and 19th Century landed Estates are amongst the many clues to human settlement to be found in The Brecks. This is a landscape which remains full of historical and ecological interest. The Brecks is a landscape of tranquil forest, open heathland and agricultural land, and is home to many unique or distinctive birds, plants and animals. Catch a glimpse of the Stone Curlew at Weeting Heath or spot roaming deer in the Forest – but there is much more. 6 new Heathlands have recently been recreated and restored. Find out more about walking in The Brecks.

Walking in Suffolk with others can be a treat too as they can guide you. In Suffolk there are a range of Walking Groups, the best known of course being the Ramblers Association. Depending on where you'll be staying below is a list of contacts for local Ramblers
For Sudbury area - contact Sudbury Ramblers Association
For Lavenham area - contact Lavenham Rambling Club on 01787 248128
For Bury St Edmunds - Bury St Edmunds Ramblers
For Newmarket - Newmarket Ramblers
For Clare - contact The Footpath Strollers on 01787 277464. They meet once a fortnight on alternate Mondays at 10.30am. For gentle walks in and around Clare.
For Stowmarket - Stowmarket Ramblers
For Ipswich - Ipswich and District Ramblers
For the Suffolk Coast - Suffolk Coast and Heath

Dogs are allowed on Rambles too, providing they are kept on a lead and walk at the back of the group. So bring mutley!

Another excellent organisation providing a range of walking excursions for women only is Walking Women - finally they are coming to Suffolk and have two organised Walks in Suffolk this year. The first one in Spring is already booked but if you click on the link above you'll see the Autumn Walk which is around Dunwich and promises to be great fun.

For a gentler pace and a shorter trail with a Farm cafe at the end of it, see our article on Farm Shops and Farmers Markets as many of the Farm Shops have free farm trails that take you through the fields and livestock sheds. Suitable for all ages and lots of fun! Farm Shops and Farmers Markets



For great walks with children please see Kiddiwalks in Suffolk.

To find a welcoming pub for some light refreshment after your walk around Suffolk please see our full list of Pubs in Suffolk.

Have you been walking in Suffolk? Where did you go and where were your favourite spots? Please send all your reviews to suffolkguides.admin@suffolktouristguide.com.