Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape

Shingle shores, tidal rivers, and quiet heathland

Shingle beaches, tidal estuaries, open heathland, pinewoods, and grazing marsh create a landscape shaped by water, wildlife, and changing light. Stretching from Lowestoft in Suffolk to the Stour Estuary on the Essex border, this protected landscape combines coast and countryside through a network of routes linking nature reserves, historic towns, and some of the East of England's most distinctive coastal scenery.

The Suffolk Coast Path follows much of the shoreline, while the Sandlings Walk and Stour & Orwell Walk connect heathland, woodland, estuary, and river landscapes. Together, these routes link places such as Southwold, Dunwich, Aldeburgh, Orford, Woodbridge, and Manningtree, revealing the varied character of the coast from exposed shingle beaches to sheltered tidal creeks and quiet inland forests.

Whether following the coast, walking beside tidal rivers, or crossing heath and woodland, this landscape rewards a slower pace and a close connection to the natural world. Wildlife, shifting tides, and expansive views shape every journey, making it one of England's most rewarding landscapes for self-guided travel.