A remote stretch of coastline, Shingle Street is located to the north of Bawdsey, known for its shingle and pebble beach.
The beach is at the mouth of the River Alde facing the 10-mile-long shingle spit, Orford Ness. The beach is a cove, with lagoons, where Terns lay their eggs nestled in the shingle and seals bask at the estuary entrance.
Shingle Street has one of the country’s largest extents of a rare habitat called coastal vegetated shingle, with Suffolk having 20% of the entire habitat nationally. To protect this habitat please avoid walking on or near the plants on the beach. The best way to do this is to stick to the established path in front of the houses or walk from entrance on the beach straight out towards the sea to walk along the shore.
Whilst the lagoons may look tempting, quicksand can form and the sea bed is unstable so swimming is not advised.
Parking at Shingle Street is kindly permitted by private landowners, but overnight sleeping in vehicles is not permitted. Please park with consideration for others. At peak times in the summer, there have sometimes been several hundred cars at Shingle Street, resulting in road blockages and consequent difficulties for delivery vans and even emergency services in getting through to the residents. Ditches have been dug on one side of the road to discourage parking on both sides. This is not to stop people from coming to Shingle Street but just to ensure that essential access to the hamlet is maintained and the open grassland is protected.
You can find out more about the area on the Shingle Street Community & Conservation website here:
Essential Information
Be Wildlife Wise
Shingle Street has one of the largest extents of a rare habitat called coastal vegetated shingle. To protect this habitat please avoid walking on or near the plants on the beach. The best way to do this is to stick to the established path in front of the houses or walk from entrance on the beach straight out towards the sea to walk along the shore. Dogs are allowed on Shingle Street Beach, but please keep them close by and under control, this will take care of nesting birds and other wildlife. Please also clear up after your dog and use the bins provided. Follow requests on signs. This will keep you, your dog and wildlife safe. Please do not bring or leave sources of fire such as barbeques, cigarettes, and litter near to plants and habitats at risk of fire. This includes plants on beaches (coastal vegetated shingle), dunes and grassland. They will be at particular risk of fire during periods of drought and high temperatures.
For places to eat, places to stay and travel information, check out our Deben Peninsula Guide.
Attraction name:
Shingle Street Beach