Suffolk's Annual Walking Festival: the largest in the country
Suffolk’s walking festival is one of the main outdoor social events of the year! Accruing 24 million footprints last year, the festival marches across countryside and coast and is undoubtedly the best way to see our glorious county.
2019 brings amazing diversity and breadth of walks and events, so you may discover parts of Suffolk you never knew existed. From short to long stretches, walks with a sheepdog, ones involving a river cruise or jeep ride to a night safari! Spend days wild crafting, hearing about tales by the riverbank and developing your art and photography skills. Delve into the more curious side of Suffolk with murder, myths and magic. And there's the annual Challenge Walk which follows the East Suffolk Line Walks, covering eighty miles in five days between Lowestoft on the Suffolk Coast and the maritime town of Ipswich.
The Suffolk Walking Festival kicks off on Saturday 11th May and runs until Sunday, 2nd June. Enjoy!
Search the walk and fringe programme of more than 120 walks!
Here’s our starter for eight…

Walk with a Shepherd and Sheepdog
This walk is slightly alternative, so if you’re looking for a guide with a difference, then this is for you. Here we head to Orford Ness on the Suffolk Coast - an internationally important coastal nature reserve with a fascinating 20th-century military history. Gain exclusive access to parts of the Ness National Nature Reserve and meet Kite, their sheepdog! The resident Ranger will tell you all about sheep husbandry and how they help manage the Reserve.
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Kite, the sheepdog, paves the way in Orford
Make your Mark Art Walk at The Red House
Join the professional artist, Kasia Posen, as you take in the inspiring landscape surrounding the former home of Benjamin Britten and Pears in Aldeburgh. Using found natural materials and inks, experience mark-making and sketch what you see, hear and experience along the way. No experience necessary.
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Suffolk Icons - Young Photographer's Workshop
Suffolk based, professional photographer, Phil Morley, delivers photography workshops exploring and capturing the beauty of Suffolk landscapes. "Young Photographers Workshop" will aid young people to discover and explore the world of photography. Taking place in the lovely surroundings of West Stow Country Park, this is sure to be a very popular event.
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Tales of the Riverbank

Discover Kessingland
Take in the fresh air of the East Coast on a walk at Kessingland. Follow the route across uneven ground on a mix of sand and dunes, stopping occasionally to take in the view and refuel. By the end, you’ll know more about Kessingland than a local.
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Ipswich Maritime Trail and Sail
Join Topsail's historian for a one-hour guided walk around Ipswich Dock, followed by a river cruise to Pin Mill and back on board sailing barge Thistle, built 1895. Learn about the history of the Thames barges and their role and influence on the county town of Ipswich.
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Nature Spotter's Walk
Discover the magic of Bradfield Woods Nature Reserve, one of Britain's finest ancient woodlands. So unique, it has been managed continuously since 1252, with some Ash coppice stools thought to be over 1,000 years old.
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Santon Downham Walk
Join this circular walk at Santon Downham in Thetford, along the beautiful River Little Ouse. Spot the covert bat hibernaculum, the remains of St Helens Church and the bridge that was used in an episode of Dad's Army. With luck, the Rhododendrons may be in flower.
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...you may like to browse our fasinating blogs full of Suffolk stories, holiday inspiration and great days out.