Things To Do In And Around Walberswick

Walberswick is a quaint seaside village on the Suffolk Coast where we live.  Often overlooked as a tourist destination, visitors tend to flock to the more well-known neighbouring towns of Southwold and Aldeburgh. However, as a local, I know this picture postcard village is coastal Suffolk gold. There really are great things to do in and around Walberswick.

On a visit recently, we were reminded of the many hidden gems here. Whether you come for a day, a weekend, or longer, you’re going to find yourself in a wonderfully peaceful spot.

Admire the beach and River Blyth, go walking, potter in village shops and connect with nature.  This is also a great place to combine with other Suffolk Coastal Towns and villages.  

In this post, we list things to do in and around Walberswick and neigbouring village of Dunwich.  As locals, we recommend places to stay and restaurants to try.  We give prices and opening times so you can plan both your budget and time.

Visit Walberswick Like A Local

📍Use this Google Map of Walberswick to locate all the places we refer to. Read further down the post to find information on car parking.

1. Catch Crabs by the River Blyth

A popular activity for all ages, this location used to host the annual World Open Crabbing Championships every August. However, the tiny village couldn’t cope with the influx of visitors so it stopped hosting in 2011.

Now, it just means you can try crabbing without the crowds.  Buy your lines and bait in the village store and take up your position on the small wooden bridges.  Park at Ferry Road Car Park. (see car parking heading for details)

Crabbing is fun but we still need to care for our crustaceans once caught.  Keep them happy in your bucket by filling it with seawater and a few pebbles.  Don’t keep them in there for too long, instead return them to the sea, their habitat.  

2. Relax on Walberswick Beach

In 2024, Walberswick was included in a list of the Best UK Beaches by The Times and Sunday Times! We’re not surprised by this as it’s a beautiful spot. There are no promenades, cafes, or deckchairs to rent on the beach, so if you’re looking for a quieter seaside experience, it’s perfect.

From Cliff Fields car park, walk past the wooden huts, and through the dunes for a couple of minutes and you’ll find yourself on the sands. The beach is a mixture of sand and shingle.

It’s also a great spot to picnic. Bring your basket, chairs, blankets, etc and enjoy spending some time here. In peak season, the ice cream van is usually parked up by the wooden huts so head there for a sweet treat!

3. Visit Local Shops and Tearooms

One thing we love about Suffolk village life is that there is always a tearoom and locally produced food to enjoy.

As you drive into the village, The Black Dog Deli is a popular stop where you can pick up freshly made bread, pastries and coffee. Perfect for picnic food and it has a few seats outside too if you want to eat there. Open daily except Monday.  

Around the village green, there are several shops and tearooms to potter in and enjoy.  For cake and coffee or a tasty sandwich try The Tea Shed. 

Browse in The Parish Lantern for gifts. They’ve also got a good range of books about Suffolk, local walking guides, and of course the crabbing nets! Their tea room also serves delicious ice cream! 

Hunt out unusual vintage treasures by exploring Rusty Nuts Store.  Chat to Rusty himself as he’s usually about. The Seaview Gallery is a pop-up art gallery selling prints, pottery, sculptures, and paintings created by local artists.

4. Explore Walberswick Nature Reserve

Walberswick is located within the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Beauty (AONB). Established in 1970, this area covers 403km so there’s plenty to see.   Many visitors are thus drawn to wander the salt marshes, reed beds, lagoons and woods that are located here.

As well as wetland flora, otters, deer, toads and butterflies, over 280 bird species have been recorded here. The reserve area is well signposted so walk as far or as little as you wish. Park in either car park in Walberswick.    

If you want to follow a specific walk, choose from the 3-mile “Walberswick Wander” or the 7-mile “Marshes, Coast & Forest” loop. The first will take around 90 mins and the other around 3-4 hours. Find out more from this AONB guide.

5. Take the Ferry to Southwold

Stroll through the village green, veer slightly right and you’ll find yourself by the River Blyth. Spot neighbouring Southwold across the water.   From April to October, board the foot ferry which takes you to the riverbank opposite in a few minutes. 

This mode of transport has been operated by the Church family for 5 generations (over 125 years).  You may even meet current rower and owner, Dani Church.  It’s a fun activity for all ages and we think this is a great way to visit Southwold.

And there’s no need to hunt for a car parking spot in the town which can be a problem in high season. Read more about visiting Southwold in our Coastal Towns to Visit in Suffolk post.

6.  Walk Along the Southwold side of Blyth River into Town.

Once you’ve crossed the river, walk along this side of the bank,  perhaps stopping for a drink or lunch.  We recommend The Harbour Inn, with fresh seafood as a specialty, and the popular Sole Bay Fish Company for your takeaway fish and chips. 

Small boats sit along the quayside and it’s a nice stroll, especially on a sunny day.  If you have time,  venture further and take a circular walk into Southwold. Here there are many shops, restaurants and cafes, a beach-hut lined promenade, a pier, and an organised sandy beach.

From the ferry crossing, the circular walk is around 2.5 miles.  Turn right when you get off the ferry and walk up Ferry Road which will take you into Southwold.  Head out of Southwold on York Road and back down to the river.  

A bonus is that this leads to other parts of the Nature Reserve if you want to spot more wildlife. 

7.  Cruise along the River Blyth

If like us you love going out on the water, there are several river trips on offer in and around Walberswick.   These include peaceful cruises to faster speed boat rides.  

Walberswick River Trips start their season in June offering one-hour trips on the River Blyth and around the nature reserve. 

On the Southwold harbour side of the river, Coastal Voyager offers a wider range of trips from 30 minutes to 3 hours. To ensure a spot on their boats, we recommend you book in advance. 

Their main trip is a half hour high speed boat but they also operate a peaceful River Blyth cruise and Half and Half Trip.

For timetables and more information, email coastalvoyager@hotmail.com or call +44 (07887 525082).

Book a private hire for a special occasion, otherwise make a reservation and join others on a scheduled trip. 

8. Eat Fish and Chip at Historic Pubs

Back in Walberswick, head to The Bell Inn (over 600 years old!) or The Anchor for either a well deserved drink or a hearty meal.  Great places for traditional fish and chips and both have outdoor eating areas for summer dining.

These pubs, especially The Anchor often host events and popular in August is the annual Walberswick Beer and Oyster Festival. Over 2-3 days, enjoy live music, over 20 craft ales and beers, oysters and BBQ food. This year the event runs from Friday 1st – Sunday 3rd August. Entry is free and dogs are welcome.

Check the Anchor website nearer the date for menus and more information.

Getting to Walberswick

There’s no train station here so if you want to visit, you need your own transport. 

Head to Woodbridge and from there travel on the  A12 following the signs for Southwold and Lowestoft.  From Woodbridge, it is about 25 miles which will take you around 40 minutes.  If you base your stay in Woodbridge, read our post on things to do for additional ideas.

There aren’t many signposts for Walberswick but eventually, as you approach Blythburgh, there is one directing you to turn left onto the B1387. Follow this road down into the village. Check Google Maps Woodbridge to Walberswick route here. 

Car Parking in Walberswick

There are two paying car parks in the village so follow the signs for car parking as you come into the village. Cliff Fields car park is the best one to park in for the beach whilst Ferry Road parking is closer to the riverboat and crossing to Southwold.

If you go to Walberswick for a weekend we say find time to explore nearby Dunwich. It’s pronounced with a silent “w”, making it sound like “Dunn-itch”.  It’s only 6 miles away, and although small, it’s a significant historical village in Suffolk. 

The Nearby Village of Dunwich

Back in the 11th and 12th centuries, it was comparable in size to London and was a thriving medieval port town. Much of the town including churches, homes, and streets have since disappeared into the sea due to centuries of coastal erosion and violent storms.

Some of us call Dunwich ‘The Lost City’ or ‘Britain’s Atlantis!’ Visitors are also curious about its mysterious past but like us come to enjoy the quiet, beautiful coastline.

Today, Dunwich is home to less than 200 residents yet draws tourists who enjoy this unique mix of history, nature, and atmospheric coastal charm. 

So here’s a closer look at what you can do and use this Google Map link to the best places in Dunwich.

1. Visit Dunwich Museum

Don’t miss Dunwich Museum to learn more about the history of the village and haunting tales of church bells ringing under the water!

Run by volunteers, they are more than happy to share their local knowledge of days gone by. There is a superb model of the village showing what it looked like in the past.

Set over two floors with many exhibits, it also has a small shop and some interactive things for kids to do. Allow an hour to see everything.

Make sure you watch the short film about the history of Dunwich as it’s really fascinating.

📍 Click here for a helpful Google Maps Link to James Street and the Museum.

2. Explore Greyfriars Priory

The museum records show that at its peak, Dunwich had up to 10 churches. Today, only the ruins of Greyfriars Monastery and a single buttress from All Saints Church tower remain visible. The rest are now underwater.

Walk just half a mile from Dunwich to the ruins of the medieval Franciscan monastery. It’s worthwhile taking time to wander around these remains. Super place for photos with views of the coast in the background and entry is free.

Run by Dunwich Greyfriars Trust, a local charity, they have a donation box by the entrance. Signage around the site gives more information about the ruins so take time to read more about days gone by.

3. Swim and Sauna on Dunwich Beach

The shingle beach is wide and open so spend a couple of hours relaxing here on a fine day.  It’s also popular for walking, fishing, and beachcombing.

You can swim and sauna at Dunwich by booking The Sauna Van which is right on the beachfront.  A dip in the sea followed by a sauna is thoroughly recommended and is one of our favourite things to do in Dunwich.

For refreshments, we recommend Flores Tea Room which offers cakes, scones and fish and chips right on the beach! Next to Flores, there is a pop-up shop usually rented by local artists which is fun to potter in.

There is a large car park by Flores Tea Room with direct access to the beach. Parking has been free here for many years but donations in one of the charity boxes around the park are appreciated.

4. Walk to Dunwich Heath

A walk around Dunwich Heath is wonderful for spotting wildlife amongst vibrant heather and gorse. Easy pathways and trails make this walk super accessible for all abilities and ages.

Managed by the National Trust, it covers about 530 acres and is part of the Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

From Dunwich village, walk along the beach or on the road to their main site at Coastguard Cottages. The walk is around 2 miles.

Here you will find the Visitor Information Hut which will provide you with trail maps and wildlife information. There’s a tea room, a second hand bookshop, a play area and of course lots of heathland to explore.

If you are short on time, drive directly to Coastguard Cottages.

5. Enjoy a Pub Lunch With Your Dog

Only minutes from the beach and next to Dunwich Museum is The Ship at Dunwich.  It’s a great pub to go to for a more substantial meal.  Sit on their outdoor terrace in the summer with a local beer or refreshing glass of wine.  They have a special menu for dogs and even doggy beer!

Where to stay In Walberswick and Dunwich

There is a lot of choice of accommodation in Suffolk. Cottages are popular for groups and families. Here are our 3 recommended options that cover Walberswick, Southwold, and Dunwich.

📍 The Bell Inn only has 6 rooms but with a choice of family rooms, dog-friendly rooms and classic double rooms, it caters to all.  Super location to access Walberswick village, the beach and neighbouring Southwold. Parking on site. Large garden for summer dining.  

📍The Sail Loft on the Southwold side offers direct access to Southwold Beach.  Only half a mile to the Walberswick Ferry crossing and half a mile into Southwold.  Offering 5 en-suite bedrooms and options to eat at their popular Sail Loft restaurant. Parking on Site.  We have eaten here and the food is excellent.

📍 The Ship at Dunwich – We stayed HERE! Charming historic inn a stroll away from Dunwich Beach. 16 cosy rooms, great breakfasts, and a large beer garden. Dogs are welcome and there is parking on site.  Central base to explore Dunwich and only 6 miles from Walberswick. 

Want More Suffolk Coastal Ideas

From sandy dunes to salt marshes, quaint tea rooms, traditional pubs, art galleries and crabbing, we hope to have shown you that there are many things to do in Walberswick for couples and families.

With easy access to surrounding nature reserves and coastal trails, to the town of Southwold and the village of Dunwich, it is an ideal spot for a peaceful day trip or a longer escape into Suffolk coast’s wild but gentle charm. If you want to venture further afield, check out our guides to Aldeburgh and Felixstowe.

We hope we’ve inspired you to add small villages to your itinerary when you plan your next visit to East Anglia.