Church End & Erwarton from Shotley Gate

A Suffolk circular walk that starts from Shotley Gate on the confluence of the Stour and Orswell Rivers. The route offers an interesting insight into the operation of the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich together with a lengthy section of the Stour and Orwell Walk. The walk follows the shore for much of the way but ventures inland via Church End and Erwarton Hall to complete the circuit.

Technical sheet

n°293045

A Shotley walk posted on 04/07/16 by Walking Britain. Last update : 21/09/16

Activity: Walking
Distance: 9.68 km
Calculated time: 2h 50
Difficulty: Moderate
Return to departure point: No
Vertical gain: + 23 m
Vertical drop: - 23 m
Highest point: 26 m
Lowest point: -1 m

District: Shotley
Start: N 51.95552° / E 1.26725°
End: N 51.95602° / E 1.26565°
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Description

(S)The start is the seafront in Shotley Gate (grid ref. TM245336) or as near as you get if parking is problematic. At Shotley Pier face the sea and turn left passing a Martello Tower on your left, Continue past the marina keeping to the shoreline of the River Orwell. With Shotley Marshes on your left walk north ignoring the footpath on the left to Over Hall. Continue north to the next junction at Crane's Hill (grid ref. TM245360) where you leave the Stour and Orwell Walk and head inland along a track.

(1)Reaching a junction of tracks, go left towards the church at Church End. At the crossroads in the centre of the village go straight ahead down a minor road (Shotley Walk) to reach Shotley Hall. Turn left down a track opposite the Hall to take the first footpath on the right. Initially the field boundary is on your left but the path switches to the other side of the boundary and continues to a road (B1456).

(2)Bear left along the road to a junction. Cross the road and take the minor road (Erwarton Walk) to a T-junction close to Erwarton Hall. Turn left and then immediately after Erwarton Hall Farm turn right down a track. You are now on another section of the Stour and Orwell Walk. Continue passing a reservoir on your right to reach a junction of tracks.

(3)The Stour and Orwell Walk goes left here. You turn right and right again (grid ref. TM224347) following a track down to the River Stour near Waterhouse Creek. Turn left along the shoreline path and continue past Rose Farm Cottages. The path leads back to the pier at Shotley Gate.(E)

Waypoints

S : km 0 - alt. 3 m - Shotley Gate
1 : km 3.25 - alt. 0 m - Head inland along track
2 : km 5.66 - alt. 26 m - Bear left along road
3 : km 6.82 - alt. 19 m - Turn right at track junction
E : km 9.68 - alt. 4 m - Shotley Gate

Useful Information

Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

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Reviews and comments

5 / 5

Based on 2 reviews

Clarity of route description
5 / 5

Clarity of route map
5 / 5

Walk interest
5 / 5

Tom Hagger

09 May 2022 at 05:52 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : 25/04/22
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very interesting and varied walk. A little confusing at the start, as the route is not obvious from the foot ferry, but thereafter fine. And, as remarked by Mr Moonwalker, there is no sign for leaving the shoreline to head up to Church End, but the first left turn is clearly private, so the second, about 1/2 mile later, should be taken. Great walk! And a very worthwhile diversion to the Rose public house for an excellent lunch.

Mr Moonwalker

21 Jul 2020 at 15:12 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : 17/07/20
Clarity of route description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Walk interest : ★★★★★ Very good

On Saturday 18th July 2020 we parked car at Shotley Marina we found the printed map was very good after reaching junction (1) the footpath sign post was broken laid on ground, but go left down a steep slope pasting through large hole in the hedge tunnel like then follow footpath up into Church End village. Continue with the map easy the only problem we had after Rose Farm Cottages the Suffolk Council had closed the coastline footpath but just follow Shotley Heritage park footpath sign pasting through the woods into Esturary Road turn right at bottom back to Shotley pier nice walk well earned beer.

Other walks in the area

Two Rivers Walk

Departure from Shotley (Suffolk)

This walk explores the Orwell and Stour estuaries. Enjoy superb views of Harwich Haven and the Port of Felixstowe.

Shotley Point Stroll

Departure from Shotley (Suffolk)

This walk explores the Orwell and Stour estuaries. Enjoy superb views of Harwich Haven and the Port of Felixstowe.

Farms & Rivers Walk

Departure from Shotley (Suffolk)

This walk explores the Orwell and Stour estuaries. Enjoy superb views of Harwich Haven and the Port of Felixstowe.

Trimley Walk

Departure from Trimley St Mary (Suffolk)

Trimley Marshes make for a wonderful day out with some beautiful scenery, fascinating history and one of the best wildlife sites in the county.

A walk from Trimley to Languard Fort via Felixstowe Ferry

Departure from Trimley St Martin (Suffolk)

This walk navigates from the village of Trimley down to Kings Fleet and along the banks of the River Deben to Felixstowe Ferry, the setting of an old Black Shuck tale from many years ago which is a feature to this walk. A coastal walk follows, along the seafront of Felixstowe through to the where the River Orwell meets the sea, a strategic point of defence against attacking enemies attempting to sail up the estuary. Key to that defence is Languard Fort which has stood here for many centuries and has played key parts in the world wars of the 20th centuries. A fascinating place to visit with a certain eeriness within its confines.

Stour and Orwell Walk - Felixstowe to Ipswich

Departure from Felixstowe (Suffolk)

This walk goes along the banks of the Orwell River in Suffolk starting at Felixstowe and ending in the centre of Ipswich. The Stour and Orwell path is an extension to the southern end of the Suffolk Coast Path and follows the coast along the estuaries of the Orwell and the Stour.
The start of the walk is characterised by the earthen river defences along which the footpath navigates. From Levington Creek an alternative route is used to pay a visit to the 13th century Ship Inn before proceeding through Broke Hall Woods to rejoin the official route through to Ipswich.

Erwarton, Church End & River Orwell from Pin Mill

Departure from Chelmondiston (Suffolk)

This circular walk through the countryside of Suffolk includes a section alongside the River Orwell. The route takes you inland passing Erwarton Hall and the fine church at Church End to the banks of the Orwell from where you can see Felixstowe Docks. The walk then heads north along the Orwell following the Stout and Orwell Walk.

An Amble up the Deben Estuary

Departure from Felixstowe (Suffolk)

A walk along the River Deben in Suffolk, starting at Felixstowe and ending in Martlesham. The lovely walk along the Deben estuary. Although parts are inaccessible due to breaches of the flood banks, the mix of riverside paths, country lanes and footpaths provides an ideal mix of landscapes to keep any walker fascinated. The May bush pub offers a perfect place to take a rest and refreshment, its riverside location unbeatable.

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Walking Britain
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Website: http://www.walkingbritain.co.uk

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