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Shotley Point marks the join of the Rivers Orwell and Stour where they form the vast deep water area of the Harwich Harbour basin. From this point there are views across both rivers, to Felixstowe Docks to the left and Harwich and Parkston to the right. The walk takes you along the banks of the two rivers and inland on higher ground with panoramic views over the whole of the Harwich Harbour complex, and good old bracing smells of the sea on the route. Listen to the sounds of the docks across the water at Felixstowe and take in the sights all around. There is so much to see across this stretch of water, the large cranes at Felixstowe docks, Harwich church, lighthouse and customs house, Parkston quay and all the various types of ships, ferries and activity in the harbour, one is tempted to just stand and watch. From the Bristol Arms turn right past the information boards and through the picnic site along the path at the edge of the River Stour. The path may be a little wet after high tide in windy weather but is usually easily walked. Continue on to the end of the river wall path and turn right up a set of steps by a large oak tree. At the top of the steps bear left on the cliff top path through the trees to eventually emerge out onto the roadside verge of Stourside. Turn left and walk to the end of the road then follow the path marked with a footpath sign, down through the trees and out to a field edge along the top of the cliffs. At the end of the field at Rose Farm Cottages follow the path past the cottage gardens and out past a gate to reach a track junction. Turn right up the stony track, following the electricity wires, away from the river and up onto the higher ground of the peninsula. At the top of the hill turn and look across the River Stour before you, the view up the river is quite dramatic, a large stretch of the river from Parkston up towards Manningtree is visible. At the junction of tracks by Shotley Cottage turn right, following the wide track out to Nether Hall Farm, emerging on to Shotley Street at Shotley Gate. Cross the road and turn left along the roadside footway, walking to the end of the farm buildings at Overhall Farm. Turn right on the track down to the marshes and then over the stile to the left of the gate. Follow the path straight out across the grass to a stile and footbridge on the other side. Be sure to keep your dog under close control here, there are usually cattle grazing in the fields. Once up on the river wall path turn right towards Shotley Marina. Bear left around the marina basin on the wide track at the river edge. The basin of the marina was once the sports arena of HMS Ganges, with the sea wall on one side and the natural rise in the land on the other, it made an ideal sports arena. The water tower on the far side of the marina is built on top of an old Martello Tower, one of 29 built between 1809 and 1812 as defence against a possible invasion by Napoleon. The white mast of the former naval training school can also be seen, now protected as a listed building. Follow the track to the lock by the square glass lock gate control building and cross via the footway on top of the lock gates. The public right of way passes over the metal grid footways on top of the lock gates, it is just a matter of choosing whichever set of gates are closed at the time in order to reach the other side. A warning klaxon is sounded whenever the gates are about to be operated. If there are any boats going in or out of the dock it is worth waiting to watch the lock gates in operation and the boat movements between the basin and the river. At the other side of the lock turn left past the Shipwreck bar, following the river wall through the car park and along the access road. Continue along the road, taking care as there is no formal footway to separate walkers from the traffic, to eventually return to the start of the walk at the Bristol Hill car park. Fact FileLocation: Shotley Gate is 10 miles south east of IpswichStart: Bristol Hill car park, Shotley Gate, Ordnance Survey map reference TM 246335 Length: 3½ miles, short cut via road if required Conditions: River wall, field edge, tracks and road, 2 stiles How to get there: - Public transport: For details telephone Suffolk County Council's Public Transport Information TraveLine - 08459 583358 By Road: From Ipswich Wherstead Road and B1456, The Strand, through to Shotley village and on to reach the end of the road at the Bristol Arms Parking: Free at the bottom of Bristol Hill Refreshments: Bristol Arms pub, Shotley Gate Post Office Stores, Shipwreck bar at the marina Public Toilets: On Bristol Hill Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 197 Ipswich, Felixstowe and Harwich Information: Information boards at riverside picnic site Walking on the web: http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk
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