Day out to Suffolk Estuary Peninsula with Boat Trip & Walk

Consider this maybe as more of a day out rather than just another walk! 

Come join our trip from Essex to Suffolk and back, including a return boat trip* to a lovely coastal peninsula, around which we will do a 10.6 mile (17km) walk. Much of it is through part of the Suffolk and Essex Coast Heaths national landscape and we'll be taking in 2 Estuary Rivers. 

(*Please note there is a charge of £15 per person payable for this event to cover the cost of the return boat trip needed to get to and from the Peninsula) 

Our day will commence initially on the Essex coast in the historic maritime port town of Harwich. Originating in the 13th Century, this is now the 2nd most busy ferry and freight port in the UK.  We however, will be embarking a very much smaller craft (as pictured) from the quiet little Harwich Half Penny Pier harbour for a 10-minute trip across the water to the Suffolk coastal Shotley Peninsula. 

From the attractive Shotley Point Marina, we'll then commence our circular walk. Initially heading along the harbour side and onto the outskirts of the small town of Shotley Gate, we'll then follow the banks of the Estuary River Stour. We'll follow the path as it meanders along the estuary banks until we head off across some lovely open Suffolk countryside across to the other side of the peninsula. 

We'll then arrive at the small village of Chelmondiston - from where we'll head through some scenic low undulating woodland to get to the very pretty and rural estuary hamlet of Pin Mill. Aside from being a very cute place, Pin Mill is known best for it's pub on the little quayside - The Butt and Oyster. 

Of course, we'll make a stop here to take in quayside views and some liquid refreshment. The pub is quite small and very popular for food, so eating there wouldn't be practical for us sadly but we'll find somewhere in the vicinity to also enjoy our packed lunch. 

Once refuelled, we'll make out way through the beautiful area known as the Cliff Plantation which, as the name suggests, is an old plantation woodland on some low-level cliffs alongside the Estuary River Orwell. Through the trees, there are glimpses of the water and some interesting wooden houseboats as we walk along the riverside path. 

The continuing estuary side route then takes us on some boardwalks and paths with wide open views of the Estuary River Orwell. As we get closer back to our start point, there are impressive views of the busy Felixstowe Shipping Port across the other side of estuary, creating a unique mix of the rural path we'll be on with the industrial container port across the water. 

As we arrive back at Shotley Point, we’ll wander through much more of the marina this time with great views of the boats and harbour activity. 

Depending on timings, we should then have time for another refreshment stop at a bar in the marina before we catch our return boat trip back across to Harwich. 

*Note - the high-level view photos of the Marina and the Butt and Oyster Pub setting are drone shots. But nevertheless, the views we'll get on the walk are lovely! 

Is it dog friendly? 4 legged friends are welcome and are allowed on the boat crossing if you're happy to take them onboard, Please abide by the Countryside Code (https://tinyurl.com/rlqvp3h) Please also remember not everyone loves dogs as much as you do so please be mindful of other members.

New Members - We would like to warmly welcome any newbies looking perhaps to try this as their first Outdoor Lads event. You may find this link useful https://www.outdoorlads.com/my-first-event or if you have If you have any questions then feel free to message either of us. 

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Photo credits:
Andy Gent - Outdoor Lads member who gives permission to Outdoor Lads to reuse.