Heritage Coast

This tour explores dramatic castles, picturesque riverside and coastal towns, heaths and marshes, and the lost city of Dunwich.

On this tour - as with our other tours - we detail the recommended route mileages but longer or shorter alternatives are available.

Day 1: Arrival in Needham Market

After arriving at Needham Market you will be able to explore the area and spend your first night in this small market town.

Day 2: Needham Market to Framlingham, (Rec 22: Min 21: Max 38 miles.)

A delightful days cycle ride takes you to Debenham with its antique shops and fine old buildings, and on to the beautifully restored post mill at Saxtead Green. On to Framlingham for your overnight stop and a chance to explore the quiet market town and the superb 12th century castle, the one-time home of Mary Tudor.

Day 3: Framlingham to Southwold, (Rec 26: Min 25: Max 35 miles.)

You will pass two vineyards where you can enjoy a taste of Suffolk wine, then cycle on to reach the coast. At Covehithe the road ends abruptly at crumbling cliffs near the melancholic ruins of an enormous medieval church. Travel down the coast to the charming town of Southwold for the night, with its pantiled Georgian cottages, pastel coloured beach huts and gleaming white lighthouse.

Day 4: Southwold to Aldeburgh, (Rec 21: Min 21: Max 28 miles.)

A day by the sea through Dunwich, the former capital of East Anglia, now largely lost under the sea, across the heather clad Dunwich Heath, through the RSPB reserve at Minsmere to Aldeburgh for the night. Here fishermen haul their boats up on to the beach and there are some highly recommended restaurants to taste the local fare.

Day 5: Aldeburgh to Woodbridge, (Rec 37: Min 16: Max 43 miles.)

You will visit the Maltings at Snape, home of the Aldeburgh Festival, see dramatic Orford Castle, the quiet and beautiful Shingle Street and Sutton Hoo, the site of the rich Anglo-Saxon ship burial, before arriving at Woodbridge for the night.

Day 6: Woodbridge to Needham Market, (Rec 17: Min 17: Max 21 miles.)

An opportunity to explore the river and Tide Mill at Woodbridge before cycling through rural Suffolk to return to Needham Market, possibly stopping at the beautiful Helmingham Hall Gardens on the way.