Pin Mill and the River Orwell Walk

Pin Mill is a timeless little Suffolk hamlet on the south bank of the River Orwell, best known for the Butt and Oyster pub, the line of houseboats tied up in the mud and a network of paths through National Trust woodland above the river. This is a reliably dog friendly walk that combines a tidal foreshore, broadleaf woodland and open heath, suiting most dogs and all but the most unsteady walkers. The classic loop heads upriver through Cliff Plantation, climbs gently onto the plateau above the river and returns along the shoreline past the boatyards.

Dogs can be off lead through much of the National Trust woodland where there is no livestock, but leads are sensible on the village lane, around the pub garden and on any stretch that crosses open grazing near Chelmondiston. Terrain is soft woodland paths that can be muddy after rain, some wooden steps on the climb out of the valley and a firm shingle and mud foreshore that is only walkable around low tide, so check tides before setting off. Facilities are excellent for a walk of this size, with the Butt and Oyster serving dog friendly food and drink, public toilets near the slipway and a village shop up the lane in Chelmondiston. Parking is the pay and display car park just above the hard at Pin Mill, currently around £1.60 for the day when paid by app.