Description: A pleasant, scenic, slightly undulating cycle ride along back roads and bridleways to the coast, and back along a slightly different route. Very quiet, with only the busy A12 to cross.
Distance: 30 miles (32 miles to Southwold)
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Time to complete: 3-4 hours
Refreshments: plenty of pubs, cafés and shops in Southwold, pubs and shop in Walberswick
1. Cratfield to Cookley Green
At the end of the Holly Tree Farm Barns driveway turn right into the village. Continue straight through on the road to Cookley Green. There is a steep dip down over the stream, and back up the hill.
2. Cookley Green to Walpole
At the crossroads go straight over towards Cookley Green. The road passes the church on the hill at Cookley. 400m further on turn right on Cookley Road towards Walpole.
3. Walpole
At the junction with the B1117 turn left, then right on Peasenhall Road, and immediately left onto Bramfield Road. Head up the steep hill out of the village.
4. Walpole to Bramfield
Pass Bramfield House School on your right before arriving in Bramfield itself. Cross straight over the A144 and take the hill up Thorington Road.
5. Bramfield to Wenhaston
Just before arriving at Thorington take the road on the left signposted Wenhaston and Bulcamp. 200m on at the crossroads turn right, signposted Wenhaston. Continue on Blackheath Road to the T junction where there is a bus shelter. Turn right, then bear left at the fork onto Wenhaston Lane. This takes you to the junction with the busy A12.
6. Blythburgh
A footpath bears slightly left at the junction. At the end of the path you can carefully cross the A12 and head up a bridleway opposite. This is bumpy and uphill, but manageable. The track emerges onto Dunwich Road in Blythburgh. Opposite and slightly left a bridleway is signposted.
7. Blythburgh to Walberswick
The bridleway leads you through woods on a bumpy path to emerge onto The Street (B1387). Continue along this road for half a mile to Palmers Lane on the left. Take this lane which bends right before arriving at a footbridge over the River Blyth, signposted “footpath to Southwold”.
8. Southwold
If you are heading to Southwold cross over the bridge and continue a mile into the town.
9. Walberswick
If heading to Walberswick turn right and go along the embankment. Strictly speaking this is no cycling, but nobody is going to stop you. The rough path takes you to the riverside car park at Walberswick.
There are 2 pubs in Walberswick, of which The Bell Inn is more likely to be open, and serves a very nice (albeit expensive) pint of Broadside. There is a nice beer garden at the rear for sweaty cyclists.
There is a ferry 11-4 at weekends only to take you across the river between Southwold and Walberswick.
10. Southwold to Lodge Road
If returning from Southwold head back to the footbridge and back up Palmers Lane. Turn left at the top then immediately right onto Lodge Road.
11. Walberswick to Lodge Road
If returning from Walberswick head up The Street out of the village. 100m after passing the small Coop bear left on Lodge Road.
12. & 13. Lodge Road to Wenhaston
Follow the metalled road, which becomes sandy, then veers left into a wood on a wide track, eventually emerging at a junction of 3 minor roads. Continue straight over signposted Hinton, and after 50m bear right on Hazels Lane signposted Wenhaston.
Cross straight over the A12, taking care as there is a blind bend to your left.
14. Wenhaston to Bramfield
Once back at the bus shelter in Wenhaston turn left to retrace your steps along Blackheath Road. Rather than turning left at the crossroads continue for a mile to the crossroads with the A144 just outside Bramfield.
15. Bramfield to Cratfield
Go straight across on Edwards Lane, which after passing under the railway line takes a sharp left uphill. Follow this to emerge onto Walpole Road. Turn right and retrace your steps back to Walpole, Cookley, and then Cratfield.