Suffolk

Pin Mill nature walk

Enjoy a peaceful walk through woodland and heathland and discover long-reaching views of the River Orwell on this tranquil walk at Pin Mill, near Ipswich. With ever-changing heathland colours and dramatic wrecks along the foreshore, there's something to see along this route all year round.

Near to

Pin Mill

Start point

Pin Mill Car park (not NT), grid ref:TM205378

Be aware of high tides

Be aware of high tides along the foreshore at step 6, where an alternate path is recommended when the route is impassable.

Address
Pin Mill, Chelmondiston, Suffolk, IP9 1JW
Directions via Google Maps
By train
Ipswich, 7 miles (11.2km).
On foot
Stour and Orwell Walk, a way-marked footpath.
Stour and Orwell Walk
By bus
Ipswich Buses 202, Ipswich to Shotley, daily. Alight Chelmondiston, then 15 minute walk to Pin Mill.
Cycling
South Suffolk Cycle Route B.
By road
6 miles (9.6km) south-east of A14 near Ipswich. From A14 take A137 towards Ipswich, turn right onto B1456 to Chelmondiston. Turn left in village (sign-posted Pin Mill), car park is on left (pay and display, not National Trust). Pin Mill can get very busy at peak times, so please don't park on the road.
Total stages: 6
Total stages: 6
Start point
Pin Mill Car park (not NT), grid ref:TM205378
Stage 1
From the car park turn right along the lane for 44yd (40m), then left up a set of concrete steps. Follow the footpath up the slope and along the back of the gardens to enter Pin Mill woods via a kissing gate.
Stage 2
Continue past a pine plantation, then turn right at a junction with another public footpath, keeping the pine plantation on your right. The track turns to the left and after 383yd (350m) opens out into the first heathland area.
Fruits of the forest
In autumn, the woodland is full of seeds and fruits, many scattered on the woodland floor. This is a great spot for collecting fallen pine cones to make natural Christmas decorations from. Look out for the prickly cases of sweet chestnuts, which are a tasty snack roasted or raw. Don’t miss the blooming heather and tasty blackberries in late summer. You might also hear a buzzard’s cry overhead.
Stage 3
Take the first left-hand path at the public footpath sign. The path crosses another area of heath, which is more grassy than the earlier heather heathland. Follow the path into a woodland, then at the T-junction, turn left.
Heathland colours
The heathland was formerly the site of a conifer plantation, but during the storms of 1987 many trees were uprooted. The fallen trees and stumps were removed and the land was re-sown with wild flower seeds from Dunwich Heath, further up the Suffolk coast. The result is the fantastic wildlife-rich heathland you see today. Heather and gorse flowers were once used as a substitute for tea, and both are excellent sources of food for bees and other insects. For a more potent brew why not try making gorse flower wine? Listen out for nightingale singing in the scrub in spring.
Stage 4
To the right, the cliff top path here offers some wonderful views through the trees down to the River Orwell. Follow the path and descend a steep slope, (the cliff top path, although elevated, is not a traditional cliff, but is considered a cliff top for Suffolk!).
Boats in the bay at Pin Mill | © National Trust Images / Justin Minns
Stage 5
At the bottom of the slope, turn right at a path junction to follow the route along the shore.
A boat wreck at sunset at the River Orwell | © National Trust Images/Justin Minns
Stage 6
The path leaves Pin Mill woods and descends a few steps to the foreshore in front of the Butt and Oyster pub. Follow the foreshore to pass in front of the pub, then turn left on the lane to return to the car park. Be aware that if there's a high tide and it's not safe to walk along the foreshore in front of the pub, then retrace your steps 165yd (150m) to the steps and follow them back up to the top path. Turn right and return to the car park.
End point
Pin Mill Car park (not NT), grid ref:TM205378
Trail map
Pin Mill nature walk | © Crown copyright and database rights 2013 Ordnance Survey
You made it
Share your experience

Cream-walled, red-tiled Willy Lott's House is reflected in the River Stour at Flatford, Suffolk, surrounded by trees showing autumn colour

Trail

Flatford and Constable country walk

Explore the Stour Valley and Dedham Vale, captured on canvas by artist John Constable, on this relaxing walk with short and long options.

A misty early morning dawn picture of a lake with silhouetted reeds growing in the water and a dusky lilac sky

Trail

Kyson Hill and Kyson Point walk

A short walk through woodland, mudflats and upper estuarine ecosystems in this unique corner of the Suffolk coast.

Pin Mill - Council Car park, near Chelmondiston, Suffolk, IP9 1JJ

pinmill@nationaltrust.org.uk

We’ve partnered with Cotswold Outdoor to help everyone make the most of their time outdoors in the places we care for.

Visit website

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.

Article

Cotswold Outdoor: our exclusive walking partner

Learn about the National Trust’s ongoing partnership with Cotswold Outdoor. Find out how they help us care for precious places and the exclusive discount available for National Trust supporters.

Two female visitors standing on the rocks at Giant's Causeway, County Antrim

Article

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.