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Visitors with dog enjoying an autumnal walk at Sutton Hoo
Visitors exploring Sutton Hoo | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Walking in Suffolk

Take a stroll through Suffolk and you could be stepping back in time. At Sutton Hoo you can trace the footsteps of Anglo-Saxons, while routes around Flatford take in the landscapes and buildings that inspired 18th-century artist John Constable. A multi-use trail at Ickworth is fully accessible and weaves through woodland, or try Dunwich Heath for coastal heathland and sea views.

Top riverside and coastal walks in Suffolk

Willy Lott's House, as seen in The Hay Wain painting by John Constable. The cream-painted house stands behind rush-bordered water, with ducks and ducklings on the path
Trail
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.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 4 (km: 6.4) to miles: 7 (km: 11.2)
A woman walking through the heather at Dunwich Heath, with the heather in bloom
Trail
Trail

Dunwich Heath pink trail 

Follow the pink trail to take in the best views of the heath, with the main body of the heather flowering between late July and September. Along the trail keep an eye out for our main bird species, the Dartford Warbler, or Red deer roaming the heath, and look to the skies for the musical Skylark singing overhead.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2 (km: 3.2)
Pin Mill, Suffolk Coast, East of England
Trail
Trail

Pin Mill nature walk 

Enjoy a peaceful walk through woodland and heathland and discover spectacular views of the River Orwell on this tranquil walk at Pin Mill, near Ipswich.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2 (km: 3.2)
A misty early morning dawn picture of a lake with silhouetted reeds growing in the water and a dusky lilac sky
Trail
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.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2.3 (km: 3.68)
Sutton Hoo on a misty morning, Suffolk. This beautiful estate was home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time.
Trail
Trail

Sutton Hoo Ferry Cliff walk 

Explore the woodlands, fields and river of this hauntingly beautiful estate, with far-reaching views over the River Deben. Moderate, 3 miles.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 3 (km: 4.8)
Sunrise at Little Haugh, on the banks of River Deben at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk, with a clump of trees on the left on a grassy field running to the river
Trail
Trail

River View walk at Sutton Hoo (green walk) 

Explore the estate surrounding the Anglo-Saxon royal burial site at Sutton Hoo on the circular River View Walk, which runs through woodland and offers views across the River Deben.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 0.8 (km: 1.28)
Visitors in the distance exploring the 'Island' at Orford Ness National Nature Reserve, Suffolk
Place
Place

Orford Ness 

After you arrive by boat, follow the waymarked trails through the internationally rare and protected vegetated shingle, salt-marsh, mud-flats and brackish lagoons.

Orford, Suffolk

Closed now

Top woodland and countryside walks in Suffolk

Discover walking trails at Sutton Hoo
Trail
Trail

Sutton Hoo woodland walk 

Discover the Anglo-Saxon burial site, where a 7th-century ship was uncovered, as well as the woodland wildlife that surrounds the ancient site on the circular Sutton Hoo woodland walk.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2 (km: 3.2)
The half-timbered exterior of Lavenham Guildhall, in Lavenham village, Suffolk
Trail
Trail

Melford Hall to Lavenham railway walk 

Follow the route of the old Great Eastern Railway from Long Melford to Lavenham and look out for a wide variety of birds and even deer if you are lucky, in their natural habitat.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 4.5 (km: 7.2)
A man and a woman with rucksacks walk through the gardens at Melford Hall with the Banqueting House in the background.
Trail
Trail

Melford Hall to Sudbury Mill walk 

Enjoy an exhilarating walk from Long Melford through Sudbury's famed water meadows, passing old watermills before ending at Gainsborough's House and then his statue in Sudbury Market Place.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 5.5 (km: 8.8)
Sheep in foreground with Melford Hall in background
Trail
Trail

Melford Hall estate park walk 

Take in the splendour of the ancient former hunting park of Melford Hall, and the impressive 15th-century Holy Trinity church, on this scenic walk around the estate.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1 (km: 1.6)
Close-up of a Brown Argus butterfly on a leaf
Trail
Trail

Lavenham Woodland walk 

Spot rare butterflies and countryside views worthy of Constable, as you explore the woodland community project and an old railway line trail around Lavenham.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 2.8 (km: 4.48)
View of the path in the Albana Woods at Ickworth
Trail
Trail

Ickworth Estate | Albana Walk 

A short circular walk through some of the woodlands around Ickworth. If you have the energy when you walk along the Trim Trail try your hand on various fitness objects, ranging from pole climbing to ladder walks and leap frog.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 1.9 (km: 3.04)

Accessible walks

View of Willy Lotts Cottage across the mill pond surrounded by trees
Place
Place

Flatford 

Explore this charming hamlet that was the inspiration for some of John Constable's most famous paintings. For those that need a little assistance, you can hire a wheelchair, personal mobility vehicle or buggy.

East Bergholt, Suffolk

Partially open today
A child and a man using a mobility aid at Dunwich Heath and Beach, Suffolk
Place
Place

Ickworth 

At Ickworth there's loose gravel paths around the gardens and an all-weather path that will take you into the parkland. You can hire a buggy service that runs to and from the car park in the main season, and there are five mobility vehicles available to hire.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Partially open today
With the glow of sunset in the sky, ribbons of mist lie over the grass-covered burial mounds at Sutton Hoo. Suffolk
Trail
Trail

Accessible route to the Royal Burial Ground, Sutton Hoo 

Discover Sutton Hoo's Royal Burial Ground, and its varied history, on a circular half-mile trail, for personal mobility vehicles, wheelchairs and pushchairs.

Activities
Walking
DistanceMiles: 0.5 (km: 0.8)

All walking in Suffolk

    View across the canal towards the Summer House, church, walled garden and Rotunda at Ickworth, Suffolk.

    Discover more in Suffolk

    A county filled with natural beauty, from its picturesque coastline and Constable Country in the east, to wool towns in the west.