Nacton Picnic Site - Ipswich

Nacton is a small village just to the east of Ipswich. Accessed by a criss-cross of country lanes the picnic site is set on the banks of the river Orwell and can be found by following the brown tourist signs off the A14 and the A1156 Felixstowe Road. Access to the site is via a gated sandy lane and free car parking is available. Visitors should be aware that the car park is closed in the evenings, and entered via a height barrier of 2.2 metres. Good dog walks are available either along the tidal beach or on the coastal path, which runs through woodland approximately 50 feet above the shoreline. The coastal path is signed, and safely bordered for much of its length. For one short section barbed wire forms the barrier to the private land away from the coast, and here the adventurous dog might find themselves a bit stuck, having found their way into a cul-de-sac that necessitates some calling and directing so they get back to the path ok. The path offers great views of the lively multi-coloured sailing boats that flock the Orwell and of Pin Mill marina on the southern side of the river. Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round. The walk from the picnic site to The Ship Inn at Levington makes for a great afternoon out. Poo bins and free baggies are available at either end of the walk, but be advised there are none along the way. About 5 miles walking there and back, the path is direct yet varied, with the last section being a wooden boardwalk across the reed beds, up through a broad field and short public footpath to the pub itself. From the Levington end of the walk the towering cranes of Felixstowe dock can be seen shimmering in the distance, and reminds you of the multitude of other coastal dog-friendly walks that Suffolk has to offer, starting at Landguard Point.

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