Shingle Street Beach

  • Shingle Street Beach - Suffolk
    © amandabhslater and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Shingle Street Beach - Suffolk
    © amandabhslater and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Shingle Street Beach - Suffolk
    © scotbot and licensed for reuse under this Licence
  • Located on a quiet uninhabited stretch of Suffolk coastline, just north of Felixstowe, Shingle Street is a small beach at the mouth of the River Alde facing the 10-mile-long shingle spit known as Orford Ness. It was once home to fishermen and river pilots who navigated boats along the River Ore. 

    The beach stretches for almost a mile and at one point there’s a 275 metre line of white seashells (whelks) that were arranged by a local stonecutter and her friend during her cancer treatment in 2005. 

    Along the water’s edge the waves have deposited a ridge of pebbles that can be tricky to scramble over. There are also areas of quicksand around the lagoons so these areas should be avoided as they are deceptive and unstable. 

    The area is a serious risk of coastal erosion and if defences are not erected, the area is likely to disappear into the sea. 

    Shingle Street has a defensive 19th century Martello Tower landmark and some white washed coastguard cottages. 

    Visitors often spot seals basking on the shingle. 

    There’s a small free car parking but facilities are zero, so bring everything with you for a day at the beach. You’ll probably have it all to yourself!

    Type of beach

    Shingle

    Lifeguard service

    No

    Dogs friendly beach?

    We do not have information on this beach but restrictions may apply (usually from Easter until the end of Summer)

    Suffolk dog friendly beaches »

    Activities

    • Swimming/bathing

    Nearest town

    Woodbridge

    OS grid ref.

    TM 3679 4262

    Submit a correction

    Notes & pending corrections

    2024-05-24

    Felixstowe Beaches North & South. Dogs are allowed on the beaches from 1st October to 30 April. For the rest of the year there are restrictions in some areas which are the whole of Landguard Nature Reserve including beach, also from the pier north to the Spa Pavilion and the pier South to approximately where the ferris wheel is located. Dogs are allowed on the prom all year as long as the are under control.

    These corrections have been acknowledged and are awaiting verification before we update the page. We would suggest you double check the information here as we have not yet confirmed its accuracy.