Section 5 of 6, Sandlings Walk
Sizewell to Dunwich
8.8 miles (14.1 km). About 3 hours, moderate.
Start: TM 474 627. Finish: TM 476 706. 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 91 m of climbing and 91 m of descent; highest point 22 m.
Getting there
The section starts at Sizewell.
- Car parks
- Car park, 150 m from the start. Directions TM 474 629Car park, 220 m from the start. Directions TM 475 629Car park, 580 m from the start. Directions TM 470 631
No bus stop or station within a kilometre of the start. Nearest: the bus stop at The Almshouses, 2.9 km away (Directions); Saxmundham station, 8.9 km away (Directions).
Getting back
The section finishes at Dunwich. Stations and bus stops near the finish:
- Bus stop
- Ship Inn, 120 m from the finish. Directions TM 478 705
Planning the Sandlings Walk
- Planning the whole trail: coastandheaths-nl.org.uk.
What to expect
Underfoot: earth, rock and mud 26%, gravel and tracks 17%, paved or flagged 17%; the rest (40%) isn't recorded.
About 19% on roads with traffic.
Path grade, where mappers have given one: clear path 100%.
On the way: 1 gate.
No steep climbs: no kilometre gains more than about 17 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.