Dog friendly activities and fun near Aldeburgh, Suffolk

We know that travelling with your 4 -legged best friend can be exciting, but you also want to know that they’ll be welcome wherever you go.

Outside Aldeburgh is very dog friendly, we have our own dog, Dylan a 10-year-old yellow Labrador. Dylan is starting to slow down a little, but does still love a little jaunt out, and here are some of his favourite things to do.

Great dog walks

Walks straight out of your self-catering cottage at Outside Aldeburgh. Out of the farm drive and you are straight onto the Sandlings walk for either a quick stretch of the legs, or a longer walks.

You can walk to Thorpeness across the North Warren Nature Reserve.

Head in the other direction and you could veer off towards Aldeburgh and the Hazelwood Marshes, or head straight on down towards Knodishall and Aldringham where you’ll find The Butcher’s Arms and The Parrot respectively which are both dog friendly pubs serving lunch and dinner.

Heading to the beach

Beaches, it’s really hard to pick between them if I’m honest. We love a wander along Thorpeness, Aldeburgh, Sizewell and Dunwich to name a few.

Sizewell is probably our go to one for dog walks, as there are less restrictions and dogs are welcome all year round. There’s a lovely little tea hut near to the car park, so you can grab a coffee or ice-cream whilst out.

Another great walk is called Kenton Hills which is part of the Woodland Trust. Found just inland from the beach, you can park there and walk right down to the beach or do a shorter circular walk through the woodland paths.

Rendlesham Forrest

Dylan loves forest walks, and Rendlesham Forest is one of his favourites, possibly as he is a stick lover!

There are miles of tracks and paths, so whether you’d rather walk, run, or cycle there’s plenty of space to roam.

You can find maps to follow trails or head off in your own direction.

We love to pack a snack and a flask and stop half way round for a break and to take in the surroundings.

There are several different places to park, including a main Forestry centre car park, where you’ll also find toilets, picnic tables and some Children’s play areas.

Southwold

Another great place for a walk is where you can cross thr footbridge to Walberswick.

Whether you decide to park in Southwold or Walberswick, you can walk along the beach to the river, and head over the bridge to explore the other side.

On the Southwold side there’s the historic Harbour Inn. It’s one of our most loved pubs for a pint of Adnams with fish and chips for lunch. The cosy bars are dog friendly, and in winter the roaring log fires make it hard to want to leave.

Walberswick is a beautiful village and home to many celebs including Emma Freud, Richard Curtis and Simon Mayo.

Aldeburgh to Thorpeness

I often park in Aldeburgh and walk along the coastal path and beach to Thorpeness.

This lovely walk takes you past the iconic Scallop sculpture by Maggi Hambling which is almost opposite the Church Farm Road and campsite.

Once in Thorpeness I head straight to The Kitchen, for a hot chocolate in winter, or ice cream if the sun is shining.

Thorpeness is a wonderfully quaint village which is home to the House in the Clouds and the Meare.

Some days we’ll just grab a coffee and pastry from Two Magpies or Munchies and sit on the beach, I’ll watch the waves and Dylan will watch every mouthful of food I eat hoping for a small morsel, in true Labrador style.