Nordic Health Walk: Suffolk Coast Path 4

Dunwich (TM 478 706) - Thorpeness (TM 472 59)

Organisation links
Location address: Dunwich Beach, Saxmundham
Chosen age group:

Ages: 18+ years

Available tickets:
Standard donation £5 per session
Next date: None - Register your interest
A summary
For this fourth stage of the Suffolk Coast Path we will be walking from Dunwich (The Ship Inn) to The Meare at Thorpeness. This route is a mix of inland and coastal walking with large stretches of heath, woodland and shingle beach. The walk is approximately 8 miles (13km) in length and will take between 3 and 3.5 hours. We will arrange with the group to meet at 9.30am at The Meare Car Park at Thorpeness (IP16 4NQ) where parking is available in the car park (payable by machine). Again, we will park half of our cars here and then travel in the other half of the cars to Dunwich where we will park at the Beach car park (IP17 3EN). This car park is free but there are donation boxes by the toilet block. There is also a cafe. We will start our walk from the Ship Inn at 10am. The walk starts through a permissive spinney behind some house (signposted Suffolk Coast Path) and will pass Greyfriars Friary. Following the signs will take us through some woodland, and heathland until we reach the National Trust visitors centre with cafe and toilets. Then we head on with the Sizewell "golf ball" as our marker. When we have completed our walk those who left their cars at Dunwich will be driven back to them
About your mentors
Suffolk and Norfolk Nordic Walking
If you can walk, you can Nordic Walk!
Nordic Walking uses specially designed poles to enhance the natural walking experience bringing many benefits such as improved posture and gait, stronger back and abdominal muscles and increased calorie consumption. Charlotte Atkinson and Carol Castagnetti are British Nordic Walking Instructors and qualified members of the International Nordic Walking Federation (INWA). They use the INWA 10 step method of Nordic Walking, an easy to follow progression, to help people to master the technique and run regular Nordic Walking sessions for people who have learned how to Nordic Walk.
Charlotte Atkinson
Connecting People with Nature
Charlotte has over 25 years’ experience of working with children, schools and families as a primary school teacher, headteacher, educational consultant, Forest School Leader and trainer. She is a qualified Level 3 Forest School practitioner with over 10 years' experience of leading Forest School sessions with children aged 2-11 years. Charlotte is a Forest School Association (FSA) endorsed trainer and trainer assessor. In addition to her Forest School expertise Charlotte is a qualified Forest Bathing guide, offers nature-based coaching and wellbeing sessions and is a Nordic Walking instructor; which are testament to her love of the outdoors!
Carol Castagnetti
If you can walk, you can Nordic Walk
Nordic Walking Instructor with British Nordic Walking, living and working in South Norfolk - I love being outdoors and learnt to Nordic Walk to help with weight loss and fitness. There is nothing more freeing that strapping on my poles and heading off out. I'm also passionate about my dogs, kayaking, cycling and riding horses.
Nordic Health Walks
The aim of these monthly Nordic Walks is to get people together, explore different locations within Suffolk and South Norfolk and make new friends whilst practising the Nordic Walking technique. Walks are held on different days, different times and in different places with the hope that everyone will be able to attend at least once in a while. The walks are run for charity, with a £5 donation collected per person per walk. In 2025, donations will be split between the RNLI and Suffolk Wildlife Trust. Some of the walks are planned and led by Charlotte or Carol and others are planned and led by members of the group. As it is not always possible to walk and risk assess the route before the date, anyone coming on a Health Walk needs to be aware that they do so at their own risk! Each walk starts with a warm up and there is a cool down at the end of each walk. Where possible there is an opportunity built in for a coffee or lunch before or after the walk. The walks tend to be 3-4 miles in length and there is sometimes with a shorter route option for those who want to come but not walk as far. Ideally people should be familiar with the Nordic Walking technique in order to come on a Nordic Health Walk and poles may be borrowed if you don’t have your own. However anyone is welcome to join the group, even if you prefer to walk without poles.
Learning aims
Aim 1
To practise and improve the Nordic Walking technique
Aim 3
To broaden social connections
Aim 2
To get to know new areas and walking routes.
Aim 4
To enjoy spending time outside in nature
About Nordic Walking
Nordic Walking uses specially designed poles to enhance your natural walking experience. With a technique that is similar to the upper body action of classic cross-country skiing, Nordic Walking is a whole body exercise that can be enjoyed at many levels, from walking for health to athletic Nordic running. More than 10 million people globally enjoy this outdoor activity all year round. Nordic Walking combines the simplicity and accessibility of walking with simultaneous core and upper body conditioning similar to Nordic skiing. The result is a full body workout, which means that you: • burn up to 46% more calories compared to walking without poles • release tension in the neck and shoulders • improve your posture and gait • strengthen your back and abdominal muscles • reduce the impact on the joints And because Nordic Walking doesn’t feel like hard work, you’ll be happy to walk further and for longer.
Pricing information
Ticket nameStandard donation
Price£5
InformationEach person needs to book one ticket. All proceeds from ticket sales will be donated to charity.
Nordic Health Walk: Suffolk Coast Path 4 - image 1
Nordic Health Walk: Suffolk Coast Path 4 - image 2
Nordic Health Walk: Suffolk Coast Path 4 - image 3
Nordic Health Walk: Suffolk Coast Path 4 - image 4
Nordic Health Walk: Suffolk Coast Path 4 - image 5
LEARNER REFLECTIONS0 reflections
Where we'll be
Dunwich Beach, Car Park, Saxmundham, Suffolk, IP17 3EN
WHAT’S PROVIDED
Equipment
Safety
Enhanced DBS
Basic DBS
Risk Assessment
Public Liability Insurance
First Aid Training
First Aid Kit

Please note

Please note, it is the responsibility of the booker to satisfy themselves about the adequacy of the safety measures. This platform is merely an introducer and does not verify the items listed here.

Cancellation Policy
No refunds are given except in the case of a cancellation by the Mentor.

My experience consists of a leisure activity, on a specific date(s), and therefore the 14-day ‘cooling off period’ under the Consumer Contracts Regulations 2013 does not apply.

Explore similar listings