Deben Peninsula guide

1. See the majestic Suffolk Punch Horses at the Suffolk Punch Trust 

The Hollesley Bay Colony Stud is the world’s oldest and largest Suffolk Punch stud farm. It is the perfect place to meet these magnificent horses, to find out how they shaped the landscape of East Anglia and helped to develop farming throughout the Eastern Counties.

2. Discover the birthplace of Radar at Bawdsey Radar

Discover the story of the men and women and the work they did, in top-secret conditions, to develop radar. Operational radar was born here and contributed very significantly to the successful outcome of the Battle of Britain. Bawdsey Radar is a new interactive visitor centre, packed full of information set in the original Transmitter Block.

3. See some of Suffolk's rare wildlife at Bawdsey Hall

Join one of the fascinating workshops at Bawdsey Hall Wildlife; the private nature reserve is home to meadowland, large ponds and mature woods, offering a variety of different habitats for wildlife. Workshops on offer include wildlife photography days and evenings, owl and badger night photography workshops, owl and badger wildlife watching, one to one and group photography workshops, wildlife tours, hide hire, mothing and bird ringing demonstrations.

4. Discover the story of the Anglo-Saxons at the burial ground of kings at National Trust Sutton Hoo 

Re-opened Easter 2019 following extensive renovations and development, National Trust Sutton Hoo  unveils it's new visitor experiences including a 17 metre observation tower to give views over the entire burial ground and to the River Deben beyond, revealing the fascinating story of this evocative landscape. 

In addition to the tower, a full size sculpture representing the ship has been created and installed close to the visitor entrance and a new route around the site will allow visitors to walk in the steps of the Anglo-Saxons.

5. Dine out at some of the Deben Peninsula's top eateries

Home to an array of pubs and restaurants all serving some of the region's best local produce. Find a table near the fire at The Sorrel Horse; a quintessential English pub with thatched roof serving lunch and evening meals and breakfast/brunch on Sundays too.

Watch the sunset over the River Deben at The Ramsholt Arms; recommended in the Michelin guide voted one of the top 20 places to dine alfresco in the UK by the Sunday Times. It is also the pub featured in Danny Boyle's film 'Yesterday' featuring Himesh Patel, Lily James and of course our very own homegrown Ed Sheeran!

7. Tuck into tea and cake and take in the views!

Find a table at the Boathouse cafe near Bawdsey and tuck into homemade cake and a pot of tea whilst spotting Suffolk's rare birdlife. The picturesque wooden building has a veranda with breathtakingly wide river views - a haven for Bawdsey regulars and visitors.

Public Conveniences & Car Parking

Bawdsey Quay Picnic Site, Ferry Road, Suffolk, Bawdsey IP12 3AX

There are a small number of parking spaces opposite the church in the village by the recreation ground and parking along The Street.

By Bus:

Buses travel from Ipswich to several locations on the Deben Peninsula including Hollesley, Alderton, Bawdsey, Sutton and Shottisham passing Melton train station.

For more information visit https://www.suffolkonboard.com/

By Train:

The nearest train station to access the Deben Peninsula is Melton. 

Direct train services by Greater Anglia travel to Lowestoft and Ipswich with on-going connections to London Liverpool Street and Cambridge.

Greater Anglia operates frequent train services. For more information on tickets and fares visit https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/

By Ferry:

A foot and bicycle ferry runs between Felixstowe Ferry and Bawdsey from April to the end of October, weather permitting. The ferry timings for 2021 are;

• from Good Friday until 30th April - Weekends only between 10am and 5pm 
• from 1st May until 30th September – Daily between 10am and 5pm
• from 1st – 31st October – Weekends only between 10am and 5pm

These may change depending on Covid restrictions in this area. Social distancing measures and face coverings will be mandatory until Covid-19 restrictions change.

You can call Felixstowe Ferry Boatyard for full timings and fares on 01394 282173 Monday to Friday between 0900 and 1630 hrs or when the ferry is operational you can call the Ferryman direct on 07709 411511 for daily updates.

You can view information on the four foot ferries that operate along the Suffolk coast below but please bear in mind this information may be out of date so best to use the leaflet for contact information only from which to get the latest updates:

From Norwich take A146 and then head towards Bungay on the B1332. Through Bungay pick up the A144 until you reach the A12. Head south towards Ipswich and turn off at A1152 signposted Melton and then take the B1083 into the Deben Peninsula area.

From Ipswich, head north on the A12 and turn off at A1152 signposted Melton and then take the B1083 into the Deben Peninsula area.

From Lowestoft, head south on the A12 and turn off at A1152 signposted Melton and then take the B1083 into the Deben Peninsula area.

From London, head north on the A12 and turn off at A1152 signposted Melton and then take the B1083 into the Deben Peninsula area.

For the latest travel information listen to or visit BBC Radio Suffolk 

For local news, visit the East Anglian Daily Times of Eastern Daily Press websites.