Stage 1……Southwold to Southend

DAY 1

Southwold to Sizewell

Well here we go. Welcome to our blog about a trip around our wonderful coast. Hope you enjoy following our adventures and it inspires you to have some of your own.

Southwold is a great place to start with a lighthouse, pier and brewery along with great places to eat and drink.

There is a wonderful high street, museums and all sorts of historic building.

The pier is a real step back in time with some vintage surprises. Views back towards the town are worth the trip.

To take a tour you need to book at  Adnams Brewery 

The picture palace is a reminder of days gone by tucked away on a back street a fun little find.

Sailors reading room has a good selection of sea faring items but best of all are the pictures of the old sailors.

A life boat museum is always worth a look. The story about the building being used to display the boat is almost as interesting as the boat it’s self.

Down to the harbour, boats every where. A ferry across to Walberswick or high speed rib out to sea or fish and chips.

Off to Dunwich museum where they tell the story of the lost village very well. Most enjoyable.

Short walk from museum to Dunwich Greyfriars. For the wild life lovers Dunwich heath is a must.

Amongst all this hidden away is Sizewell nuclear power station. It just makes you wonder ?

Final stop of the day Leiston Abbey made even more awesome by the weird light of the day.

DAY 2

Sizewell to Orford Ness

Starting in Leiston the Long Shop Museum is worth a visit. It also has a nice little high street. Leaving Leiston heading towards  Thorpeness you can just see the House in the clouds.

Thorpeness Meare is a boating lake and great tea rooms.

Keep an eye out along the shingle beach heading to Aldeburgh for the Maggi Hamblings Scallop

Arriving in Aldeburgh take the time to visit Aldeburgh museum and walk the sea front and back along the high street.

This is a town full of history along with a good selection of places to shop and eat.

Walking to the river mouth you will find the first of many Martello towers 

As we follow the coast you will discover that these have been repurposed for many uses.

During the trip there will be many churches and Iken church was just that little bit special.

Orford Castle was under wraps for major refurbishment but you could still visit and the views are amazing from the top.

We finished our day at Orford Ness having a cup of tea looking across at the National Trust nature reserve

DAY 3

Shingle Street to Felixstowe

Starting the day with a few Martello towers along a very pleasant section of coastline. Next is  Bawdsey radar museum and if you fancy a quick boat trip there is the ferry.

A quick up and down the river you could drop into Sutton Hoo or Woodbridge tide museum and then on to more martello towers and into Felixstowe for a view back to Bawdsey, 

There is also  a pier,  fort and museum .

The viewing point was a real treat. Great to be able to get a good view.

It really was a lot of containers.

DAY 4

Harwich to Frinton

The Grayson Perry House was on our route to Harwich for a quick snap. Harwich its self was lovely With all sorts of historic buildings, including the pier and light house. 

Just down the road to Dovercourt to a couple of unusual light houses and a walk along the front.

 

Walon on the Nase pier and tower aswell as tiered beach huts that are very colourful.

The Nase tower.

DAY 5

Clacton to West Mersea

Clacton and on to Brightlingsea included a pier lots of martello towers a museum and Lido 

DAY 6

Maldon to Burnham on Crouch

Maldon is worth some the time with harbour, museums and cafes galore.

We had tea on a boat. Great location to enjoy the views.

Mundon St Mary Church on the way to Bradwell

Bradwell power station.

Bradwell St Peter Chapel accompanied by splendid views.

The end of another great day.

DAY 7

Southend on Sea

Southend pier. Its massive.

Train on a pier …enough said.

The first stage of our coast trip has come to an end we enjoyed it all and hope you did to.