Suffolk’s Sandlings Coast
Suffolk’s Sandlings Coast is perhaps England’s most beautiful coastline—55 miles of sandy beaches backed by dunes, marshes, and heatherland. While some areas like Southwold and Lowesoft are famous, much of this coastline remains remarkably quiet and unspoilt.
This guide reveals Suffolk’s Sandlings Coast beyond major resorts, explaining what makes each beach special, where to find hidden gems, and experiencing this extraordinary landscape responsibly.
Understanding Suffolk’s Sandlings Coast
Suffolk’s Sandlings Coast is characterised by:
Sandy beaches: 55 miles of golden sand, some of England’s finest.
Dunes and heatherland: Massive dune systems back many beaches, with heatherland behind creating unique coastal ecosystem.
Marshes and broads: Behind the dunes are salt marshes and grazing broads, creating a rich coastal ecosystem.
Nature reserves: Several important nature reserves protect wildlife and landscapes.
Seaside villages: Characterful fishing villages and seaside resorts that have retained traditional character.
Slow pace: Much of the coastline feels timeless and relatively undeveloped compared to other English coasts.
Essential Sandings Beaches
1. Dunwich Heath
Dunwich Heath is one of Suffolk’s most spectacular beaches—a vast expanse of sand backed by dunes and heatherland. Despite its scale, it’s surprisingly quiet because it’s relatively remote and has limited parking.
What makes Dunwich Heath special is its scale and wildness. The beach is vast (approximately 2 miles of sand), with massive dunes behind and heatherland beyond. The beach feels genuinely wild and remote.
Location: Near Dunwich village, NR33 7UF
Access: From Dunwich village, walk footpaths across heatherland to beach (approximately 20-30 minutes)
Opening: 24/7 access
Cost: Free
What to expect: Vast sandy beach, massive dunes, heatherland, wildlife. Allow 1-2 hours for full exploration.
Wildlife: Look for shorebirds, seals, and occasional dolphins offshore.
2. Walberswick
Walberswick is a beautiful beach backed by distinctive red cliffs. The beach is relatively small but spectacular, with cliffs providing a dramatic backdrop to the golden sand.
What makes Walberswick special is its contrast between golden sand and red cliffs. The cliffs are geologically distinctive and make for spectacular photography, especially at sunset when they glow orange-red.
Location: Near Walberswick village, NR33 7DR
Access: Through village to beach (easy 10-minute walk)
Opening: 24/7 access
Cost: Free
What to expect: Beautiful sandy beach with red cliffs, rockpools at low tide, wildlife. Allow 30-45 minutes.
Photography tip: Sunset when the red cliffs are illuminated is spectacular.
3. Thorpeness
Thorpeness is a beautiful sandy beach near the northern border of Sandlings Coast. The beach is backed by low dunes and heatherland, with the distinctive outline of the abandoned Thorpeness nuclear power stations visible across the water.
What makes Thorpeness special is its view of the abandoned power stations. The two domes of the abandoned power station create a surreal backdrop to the natural beach, creating a unique landscape of natural beauty and industrial relic.
Location: Near Sizewell village, NR33 0AZ
Access: Various footpaths from village to beach
Opening: 24/7 access
Cost: Free
What to expect: Beautiful sandy beach, views of abandoned power stations, wildlife. Allow 30-45 minutes.
Note: The power stations are visible across the water but inaccessible—a reminder of the site’s controversial history.
4. Kessingland
Kessingland is a quiet beach near the southern end of Sandlings Coast. The beach has lovely dunes and heatherland behind, creating a peaceful, secluded atmosphere that’s increasingly rare on English coasts.
What makes Kessingland special is its relative isolation. The beach is less visited than areas to the north, creating a genuine sense of wilderness and escape from modern life.
Location: Near Kessingland village, NR32 5HX
Access: Various footpaths from village to beach
Opening: 24/7 access
Cost: Free
What to expect: Quiet sandy beach, dunes, heatherland, wildlife. Allow 20-30 minutes.
Quiet gem: Kessingland is particularly quiet and peaceful, perfect for solitude.
5. Aldeburgh
Aldeburgh is perhaps the most famous of Sandlings Coast’s quiet beaches, located near the mouth of the River Alde. The beach is beautiful with dunes behind and is backed by the heatherland of Orford Ness, creating a wild, natural setting.
What makes Aldeburgh special is its river mouth setting and access to Orford Ness. The beach is located where the River Alde meets the sea, creating a distinctive landscape. You can also walk to Orford Ness (about 1.5 miles) from here.
Location: Near Aldeburgh village, IP16 4XZ
Access: From village, walk footpaths to beach (approximately 15-20 minutes)
Opening: 24/7 access
Cost: Free
What to expect: Beautiful beach at river mouth, dunes, heatherland, wildlife. Allow 30-60 minutes for beach plus optional walk to Orford Ness.
Orford Ness walk: The walk from Aldeburgh to Orford Ness is spectacular, passing through heatherland and along cliffs. Allow 2-3 hours round trip.
Hidden Beach Gems
6. Covehithe
Covehithe is a small, secluded sandy beach near Dunwich. The beach is backed by low cliffs and heatherland, creating an intimate, sheltered atmosphere that’s perfect for escaping crowds.
What makes Covehithe special is its sheltered location and intimacy. The beach is in a small cove, creating a private-feeling space that’s surprisingly secluded despite being relatively accessible.
Location: Near Dunwich, NR33 7UD
Access: Footpaths from nearby roads (check Ordnance Survey maps)
Opening: 24/7 access when accessible
Cost: Free
What to expect: Small, secluded beach with cliffs and heatherland. Allow 20-30 minutes.
Secluded gem: Covehithe is genuinely quiet, perfect for solitude and wildlife watching.
7. The Denes Beach
The Denes is a quiet sandy beach near Covehithe, accessible through heatherland. The beach feels remote and wild, despite being relatively accessible from roads.
What makes The Denes special is its heatherland approach. You need to walk through sandlings heatherland to reach the beach, creating a sense of wildness and adventure that’s increasingly rare.
Location: Near Covehithe, NR33 7UP
Access: Footpaths through heatherland (check Ordnance Survey maps)
Opening: 24/7 access
Cost: Free
What to expect: Remote-feeling beach with heatherland approach, wildlife. Allow 30-45 minutes.
Note: Navigation through heatherland can be tricky in poor visibility. Follow marked paths.
8. Easton Woods
Easton Woods is a beautiful beach near the southern end of Sandlings Coast, backed by low dunes and heatherland. The beach is quiet and secluded, with a peaceful atmosphere that’s perfect for escaping crowds.
What makes Easton Woods special is its southern location and quietness. The beach feels like a southern extension of Sandlings Coast, with a character that’s subtly different from beaches to the north.
Location: Near Easton village, NR33 8HP
Access: Footpaths from village to beach
Opening: 24/7 access
Cost: Free
What to expect: Quiet sandy beach with dunes and heatherland, wildlife. Allow 20-30 minutes.
Southern character: The beach has a more southern, peaceful character that’s distinct from Sandlings Coast beaches further north.
9. Benacre Ness
Benacre Ness is a remote, wild beach located south of Benacre, accessible only by footpaths through heatherland and dunes. The beach is backed by massive dunes and has a genuinely wild, unspoilt character.
What makes Benacre Ness special is its remote, wild character. This is one of the quietest, most unspoilt beaches on Sandlings Coast, accessible only by walking through wild terrain.
Location: South of Benacre, NR33 8EQ
Access: Footpaths through heatherland and dunes (only for experienced walkers)
Opening: 24/7 access when accessible
Cost: Free
What to expect: Remote, wild beach with massive dunes, wildlife. Allow 45-60 minutes one-way (accessible only to experienced walkers).
Experienced walkers only: This area is wild and remote. Navigation can be difficult and weather changes rapidly. Only attempt if you’re experienced and prepared.
10. Shingle Street
Shingle Street is a beautiful sandy beach near Dunwich, with a distinctive shingle bank and dunes. The beach is backed by heatherland and has a wild, natural feel despite being relatively accessible.
What makes Shingle Street special is its shingle bank and contrasting landscapes. The beach has areas of sand and areas of shingle, backed by dunes and heatherland, creating a varied coastal landscape.
Location: Near Dunwich, NR33 7UF
Access: Footpaths from Dunwich
Opening: 24/7 access
Cost: Free
What to expect: Beach with sand and shingle, dunes, heatherland. Allow 30-45 minutes.
Landscape variety: The contrasting sand and shingle areas create interesting photography opportunities.
Sandings Coast Wildlife
Suffolk’s Sandlings Coast is rich in wildlife:
Seabirds: Gulls, terns, oystercatchers, avocets, and many other species nest on the coast and on the sandlings.
Grey seals: Common, particularly around Dunwich Heath and Thorpeness. They can often be seen hauled out on the sand.
Porpoises and dolphins: Occasionally seen offshore, especially around Aldeburgh where the River Alde meets the sea.
Wading birds: Oystercatchers, curlews, redshanks, and other wading birds are common in the salt marshes and mudflats.
Birds of prey: Marsh harriers, peregrine falcons, and merlins hunt over the marshes and heatherland.
Insects: The salt marshes and heatherland are rich in insects, including many rare species.
Sealife: The coastal waters support commercial fish species including bass, cod, and whiting.
Note: Keep your distance from all wildlife, especially during breeding seasons (spring-summer).
Sandings Coast Walking
The Sandlings Coast has excellent walking:
Coastal path: A continuous path runs much of the coastline, though some sections are interrupted by river mouths or military areas.
Sandlings Way: The Sandlings Way long-distance footpath follows much of the Sandlings Coast and offers varied walking.
Heatherland walking: Walking on the sandlings behind the dunes offers a completely different perspective and access to wildlife-rich areas.
River Alde walk: The walk from Aldeburgh along the River Alde to Orford Ness is spectacular, passing through heatherland and along cliffs.
Beach Etiquette
Respect wildlife: The Sandlings Coast is a rich wildlife habitat. Keep your distance from all wildlife, especially birds and seals.
Don’t damage dunes: The dune systems are fragile. Don’t climb on unstable dunes or slide down dune faces.
Take your litter with you: The coast has no regular cleaning services. Take all rubbish with you.
Keep noise down: Many people visit the coast for peace and wildlife. Keep voices down, especially near wildlife.
Respect private property: Much of the coast is private land. Don’t access private beaches or property without permission.
Dog regulations: Dogs are allowed in many areas but must be kept under control, especially near wildlife.
Seasonal Beach Visits
Spring (March-May): Good weather, wildflowers on dunes and heatherland, birds returning to breed. Excellent time for birdwatching.
Summer (June-August): Best weather but some areas can be crowded. Early morning offers quiet periods. Longest days.
Autumn (September-November): Beautiful autumn colours on heatherland, cooler temperatures. Excellent light for photography.
Winter (December-February): Quietest time, but coldest weather. Shortest days. Wild and atmospheric in winter light.
Practical Information
Access: Most beaches are accessed by footpaths from nearby roads or villages. Check Ordnance Survey maps for exact routes.
Parking: Parking is limited and mostly free roadside parking. Arrive early in popular areas.
Facilities: Most beaches have no facilities. Bring everything you need with you.
Dogs: Dogs are allowed in most areas if kept under control, especially near wildlife.
Weather: The coast can be windy and changeable. Check forecasts before visiting.
Mobile reception: Mobile reception is variable and often poor in coastal areas. Don’t rely on your phone.
Photography Tips
Golden hour: The hour after sunrise and before sunset offers beautiful golden light on sand and dunes.
Dune patterns: The dunes have beautiful patterns and textures, especially in low or side-lighting.
Red cliffs: Walberswick’s red cliffs are spectacular in late afternoon light.
Wildlife: Seabirds, seals, and other wildlife make excellent photographic subjects. Use telephoto lenses for close-ups.
Weather: Cloudy days can be better than bright sun—soft light reveals details and textures.
Combining with Other Activities
Birdwatching: The Sandlings Coast is one of Britain’s best birdwatching areas. Several reserves and hides offer good birdwatching.
Seal watching: Dunwich Heath and Thorpeness are particularly good for grey seal watching.
Walking: The Sandings Coast has excellent coastal and heatherland walking.
Boat trips: Boat trips are available from Dunwich and Aldeburgh, offering coastal perspectives from the water.
Historic interest: Several churches and historic villages along the coast are worth visiting.
A Final Thought
Suffolk’s Sandlings Coast is perhaps England’s most beautiful coastline—55 miles of sandy beaches, dunes, heatherland, and marshes that have remained remarkably unspoilt. The coastline feels wild and timeless, with a beauty that’s increasingly rare in modern England.
The key to enjoying the Sandlings Coast is to explore beyond the famous beaches. Yes, Dunwich Heath and Aldeburgh are spectacular and deservedly known, but the coast has so much more to offer—the quiet beaches of Kessingland and Easton Woods, the remote beaches of Benacre Ness, the intimate coves of Covehithe and The Denes.
These beaches offer solitude, natural beauty, and a sense of wildness that’s increasingly hard to find in modern England. The Sandlings Coast represents England’s coastal landscape at its most natural and unspoilt.
So explore the Sandlings Coast, discover its hidden gems, and experience one of England’s most beautiful coastlines. The combination of sand, dunes, heatherland, and marshes creates a landscape that’s both beautiful and ecologically rich, deserving of protection and appreciation.
This guide reveals Suffolk’s Sandlings Coast beyond major resorts, from vast Dunwich Heath to wild Benacre Ness, from remote beaches to quiet hidden coves. The Sandlings Coast is perhaps England’s most beautiful coastline, with 55 miles of sandy beaches, dunes, heatherland, and marshes that remain remarkably unspoilt and wild.