Marshes, mudflats and Woodbridge circular walk
This circular walk takes you along the River Deben, among boats, marshes and mudflats, visiting Kyson Hill and Woodbridge on the way.
Tidal changes
At high tide part of this route might be inaccessible. An alternative route is signposted.
Total steps: 11
Total steps: 11
Start point
Woodbridge train station car park. Grid ref: TM273487.
Step 1
Facing the railway station, cross over the footbridge at the left-hand end of the quay, going straight ahead and passing the Woodbridge plaque and café to your left.
Step 2
Follow the promenade to your right with the River Deben on your left. Carry on passing the Woodbridge Cruising Club and Deben Rowing Club on your right.
Step 3
Keep straight along the promenade (passing toilets down a slipway on your right), and carry along past the Tea Hut Café in the small park with the Deben Yacht Club on your left beside the river.
Step 4
Leave clubhouses, boatyards and cafés behind you and stride out in the countryside along the tarmac footpath high up on the bank.
Step 5
At the end of the tarmac path, just as you enter the wood line, follow the path to the left coming across a public footpath sign. Take the left path down an incline (passing the Kyson House driveway on your right). At high tide, this route might be inaccessible. See the small green metal sign on the left at ground level for the alternative route.
Step 6
Turn right and look out for a triple footpath sign. Keep to the left up the hill until reaching the National Trust sign and bench on your right, which is effectively the top of Kyson Hill. Enter Kyson Hill and admire the views over the river estuary. After looking round the site retrace your steps back to the triple footpath sign; head down to the beach and turn right.
Step 7
Walk along the estuary shore, which may be wet and a bit muddy, until you come to the Kyson Point sign by a big fallen log. Kyson Point is private property but you can see the brown shed and small yachts out of the water. Keep right at wooden railings and follow the path to Martlesham Creek and then riverside path.
Step 8
Turn right at end of creek and walk around the sewage works to Sandy Lane. Turn right beneath the railway bridge and climb steadily for about 700yd. At top of rise, turn right onto Broom Heath.
Step 9
When the road bends round to the right, turn left past a gate leading to Porter's Wood. Stay on the path on the outside of the woods to return to Sandy Lane. Turn right and right again. When reaching the main road cross over and after 50yd climb the steps on the far side to a footpath. Keep straight ahead to the end of the footpath and cross the road to Portland Crescent.
Step 10
Keep straight ahead, dropping down the hill and climbing up the other side. Continue along Fen Walk with graveyards either side. Fork left at a junction of paths down a grassy slope with views of the church tower ahead. Keep straight ahead, and climb the steps to Seckford Street.
Step 11
Now turn right to reach Market Hill. An alleyway on your right leads you to churchyard and the church of St Mary the Virgin. Turn left through the churchyard onto Church Street, emerging at a school (site of the old abbey). Walk down Church Street and cross over The Thoroughfare (a pedestrian street on the left). Continue along Quay Street and cross back to the station yard and car park (and Whistlestop Café), or turn left to visit the Tide Mill if you have the time.
End point
Woodbridge train station car park. Grid ref: TM273487.
Trail map
More near here
Kyson Hill and Kyson Point walk
A short walk through woodland, mudflats and upper estuarine ecosystems in this unique corner of the Suffolk coast.
Get in touch
Our partners
We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.
You might also be interested in
Walking
Explore some of the finest landscapes in our care on coastal paths, accessible trails, woodland walks and everything in between. Find the best places to walk near you.
Walking in Suffolk
From strolls around famous historic sites to wanders through patchworks of purple heather, these are some of the best winter walks in Suffolk.
Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner
Find out more about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor as our exclusive walking partner.
Staying safe at National Trust places
The special places in National Trust care sometimes come with a few risks for visitors, be it coastline or countryside. Find out how to keep safe throughout your visits.
Follow the Countryside Code
Help to look after National Trust places by observing a few simple guidelines during your visit and following the Countryside Code.