Dunwich Suffolk
Rebellion at Bulcamp by Dennis M. Skeet
While today occupants of what is now known as Blythview tend to be holiday visitors enjoying the pool facilities, the beauty of the Blyth valley and the beach at Southwold there was a time when these buildings served a very different purpose and those that occupied them had very little satisfaction from their surroundings
England’s ancient Poor Laws brought violent reaction from some of our forefathers.
Smuggling around the Blyth Estuary
Today the River Blyth enters the sea between Southwold and Walberswick. Go back four centuries Dunwich was at the mouth of the river. The estuary widens out into a wide shallow pool at Blythburgh before making its way inland to Halesworth.
Below is an extract from Smuggling in the British Isles: a History by Richard Platt For more detail visit his website www.smuggling.co.uk
The smugglers of Eastbridge
Eastbridge is a tiny village close to the coast at Dunwich. It's claim to fame is the Eel's Foot Inn, now used by walkers and bird watchers visiting nearby Minsmere but if you go there in the evening and talk smuggling then you might hear some really interesting tales.
But I'm no expert so below is an extract from Smuggling in the British Isles: a History by Richard Platt For more detail visit his website www.smuggling.co.uk
Walking Around Dunwich
The Suffolk Coast and Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is best explored by bicycle or on foot, for only when we make the time to stop and contemplate do we see the true glories of this most spectacular coastline.
There are a number of good public footpaths fanning out from Dunwich offering you insights into the history, geology and diverse patchwork of habitats surrounding the village.
The following can be enjoyed as a single walk of 8 miles or two shorter walks of around 4 miles each. Park in the Beach car park:
Dunwich to Dingle Marshes
The Mysteries of Middleton
A delightful little country village on the road to nowhere and consequently oft driven past, Middleton is the only village in Suffolk to boast its own moor (a large field just a mile from the village centre). The Minsmere river runs through the village on its way to the world famous RSPB reserve with its breath taking marshes and ever growing colony of bittern.
Birdwatching on the Suffolk Coast - what to see and where to see it
With its wide variety of habitats - encompassing woodland, heathland, reedbed, saltmarsh, estuaries, shingle beaches and low cliffs - the Suffolk Coast is one of the UK’s prime destinations for birdwatching
The list of species you might see here is vast and whether an expert birdwatcher - or someone completely new to the pastime - the prospect of watching a magnificent black and white avocet as it wades through the water or beautiful bearded tit flitting speedily over the reeds is not to be missed.
MINSMERE - Weekend Wildlife Walk
Guided walk.
Seasonal weekend walks will look for autumn migrants, wading birds, ducks, deer or whatever wildlife highlights are present at the time.
RSPB members £4, non-members £5, RSPB Wildlife Explorers £2, non-member children £2.50 - Booking Essential
Minsmere RSPB Nature Reserve
Westleton, Saxmundham, IP17 3BY
Contact 01728 648281 for details -
MINSMERE - Weekend Wildlife Walk
Guided walk.
Seasonal weekend walks will look for autumn migrants, wading birds, ducks, deer or whatever wildlife highlights are present at the time.
RSPB members £4, non-members £5, RSPB Wildlife Explorers £2, non-member children £2.50 - Booking Essential
Minsmere RSPB Nature Reserve
Westleton, Saxmundham, IP17 3BY
Contact 01728 648281 for details
Discovering MINSMERE
Guided walk to learn about the Reserve's habitats, their management, birds and other wildlife
RSPB members £4, non-members £5, RSPB Wildlife Explorers £2, non-member children £2.50 - Booking Essential
Minsmere RSPB Nature Reserve
Westleton, Saxmundham, IP17 3BY
Contact 01728 648281 for details
Minsmere 5th April - Black-necked Grebe and Garganey
My wife, Lisa, and I took a drive down to Dunwich Heath on Saturday. We stopped briefly en-route at Westleton Heath to listen to Woodlark singing in the rain. From there it was only a few minutes to the National Trust car park on Dunwich cliffs. Walking down the cliff and along the beach, we made it to the first RSPB hide before getting to wet. Bearded Tit were "pinging" in the reed beds, an Avocet was right in front of the hide and I tried to get a few pictures of these iconic waders.
