11/08/20 - Westleton to the Ship Inn at Dunwich

Distance - 7.5 Miles

Geocaches - 4

Walk Inspiration - Country Walking Magazine - July 2014

RSPB Minsmere is our gateway to Britain's Atlantis - the lost village of Dunwich.

 A Surprising Lack of Birds at RSPB Minsmere

First thing to note about RSPB Minsmere was the lack of birds.  Not sure what we were expecting but they were noticeable by their absence.  Maybe it was because we hadn't paid membership.   The second thing to notice is the sandy tracks through shady woodland.  Most welcome during this unending hot spell.

Shady Walking

Dunwich is where all of the action is.   At one point in the C11th, it was a town similar in size to London.  The harbour was washed away in a series of great storms in the C13th and slowly it loses ground year on year.   We approach from the crumbling high cliffs, where there are the remains of an Abbey and one last gravestone clinging to terra firma.

The Abbey

The Last Grave

We've previously explored Dunwich Beach on evening walks.   Today, it's a patient wait for sausage sandwiches from the beach side cafe - with tea for 2, a fiver.  They are an adopter of Rishi's Dishes Mon-Wed half price offers to encourage the masses to lose weight to fight corona.

Playing on the beach, waiting for sausage sarnies

There's also a Good Beer Guide Pub - The Ship.   I could tell by its size that it wasn't really going to be my sort of place, regardless of the quality of the beer.  In current Covid Times, I had to register with Johnathon - who let's be honest - has let power go to his head.  He told us that we couldn't sit in the near empty huge beer garden unless we are having food and wanted us to sit in a packed front porch.

We beat him and his petty rules.   A scan of the QR code attached to a garden bench and you can order your £4.30 Ghost Ship on line.  Delivery time similar to Amazon Prime.

Another Good Beer Guide Tick.  Another Ghost Ship.

I'd recommend saving yourself for the more down to earth White Horse in Westleton, who's only noted crime recorded by Mrs M is not doing a roast for Sunday Lunch.  When the temperature is in the 30s.

Getting there is a delightful walk across the shaded trees and purple heather common land of Westleton Heath. 

Westleton Common taking us to the White Lion