Suffolk Coast Path: Shingle Street to Chillesford
15 June 2013
So begins my second walk along the Suffolk Coast Path. Although it
starts by the sea at Shingle Street, the route is largely inland,
diverted by the large estuary of the River Alde, today's walk being
first along the River Ore and the Butley River, and then across farmland
to Chillesford.
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-102500.jpg)
I'm afraid I've no idea what any of these plants are, but it makes for a
beautiful show of this vegetation clinging to the shingle.
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-102810.jpg)
Continuing the walk along the shingle
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-103051.jpg)
Someone has produced a long line of white shells which leads across the
shingle towards the sea
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-103233.jpg)
Our route lies ahead, along the back of the shingle, eventually joining
the sea wall
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-104522.jpg)
Ahead is the mouth of the River Ore, also known as Orford Haven
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-104626.jpg)
Our route lies along this tidal tributary of the River Ore to reach the
bridge on the road from Hollesley, and then back again on the other bank
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-110542.jpg)
Returning towards the River Ore
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-111446.jpg)
Where our little tributary enters the River Ore
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-113203.jpg)
The views across the vegetated marshes and across the river to the long
shingle spit are flat but fascinating
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-115245.jpg)
Lottie and George are just enjoying the walk
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-120440.jpg)
Here the two routes of the River Ore rejoin having been split by the
bird reserve of Havergate Island
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-121302.jpg)
The many intricate muddy channels through the marshes are beautifully
contrasted with the pink flowers
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-121714.jpg)
Leaving the River Ore behind, we head up Butley River
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-122250.jpg)
A lone figure stands at Boyton Dock
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-123616.jpg)
A bit further upstream are the twin jetties for the Butley Ferry.
Although nominally open today, there was no sign of a boat or an
operator, but fortunately our route stays on this side of the river.
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-124709.jpg)
At the ferry, this elegantly decorated signpost shows us that the
Suffolk Coast Path turns left, though the Orford Loop does cross the
river here.
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-124900.jpg)
Below sea-level, we head for the zero-metre contour
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-125319.jpg)
That is rapidly followed by the dizzy heights of almost 15 metres above
sea-level on Burrow Hill. Here we look back along the Butley River to
the sea
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-125602.jpg)
Ahead our route lies across more below sea-level farmland
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-131559.jpg)
At Butley Low Corner, the tarmac of the road is just discernable under
the sand
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-132244.jpg)
Fields of pigs accompany us for a fair bit of the way to Butley Mills
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-134724.jpg)
From Butley Mills, a look across the reeds of the upper waters of the
Butley River to the higher land of Chillesford beyond
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-134732.jpg)
Butley Mills, now available as holiday lets
![](../../images/2013/2013-06/2013-06-15-134953.jpg)
The remainder of the walk to Chillesford is along a quiet lane. Quite
what the person who put up this sign was thinking is unclear as there is
no footpath.
A slightly desolate but beautiful walk as far as Butley Ferry, after which
slightly less interesting except around Butley Mills - a very pleasant walk.
Total 13.8 km in 3 hours 33 mins
![Previous Suffolk Coast Path walk - Landguard Point to Shingle Street Previous Suffolk Coast Path walk - Landguard Point to Shingle Street](../london_loop/hikerleft2.jpg)
![Next Suffolk Coast Path walk - onwards to Aldeburgh Next Suffolk Coast Path walk - onwards to Aldeburgh](../london_loop/hikerright2.jpg)
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