Section 6 of 6, Sandlings Walk
Dunwich to Southwold
9.1 miles (14.7 km). About 3 hours, moderate.
Start: TM 476 706. Finish: TM 506 758. OS grid.
Take it with you: download this section's GPX file (it opens in OS Maps, Komoot, Outdooractive or a GPS unit) or open the start in OS Maps.
Warning: Diversion in place. Part of this route is closed or diverted for now. Paths across Dunwich Heath, which the Sandlings Walk crosses, have been closed since a wildfire on 29 July 2026; Suffolk County Council lists the closures until 19 February 2027, with no diversion. Discover Suffolk also says the Walk is closed through Goose Hill. Source: discoversuffolk.org.uk.
Up and down
About 81 m of climbing and 83 m of descent; highest point 22 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Dunwich.
- Bus stop
- Ship Inn, 120 m from the start. Directions TM 478 705
- Car parks
- Car park, 200 m from the start. Directions TM 478 706Church Car Park (Public), 240 m from the start. Directions TM 474 706Car park, 430 m from the start. Directions TM 473 707
Getting back
The section finishes at Southwold. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stops
- Kings Head, 580 m from the finish. Directions TM 505 763North Green, 680 m from the finish. Directions TM 505 764Fire Station, 810 m from the finish. Directions TM 504 766
Planning the Sandlings Walk
- Planning the whole trail: coastandheaths-nl.org.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: paved or flagged 18%, gravel and tracks 14%, earth, rock and mud 11%; the rest (56%) isn't recorded.
About 19% on roads with traffic.
On the way: 2 kissing gates, 3 gates.
No steep climbs: no kilometre gains more than about 18 m.
From OpenStreetMap, where mappers have recorded it: check before you go.
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Something wrong or missing?
Tell us what to change about this section: a wrong distance, a moved start, a path that's closed.