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"With ships the sea was sprinkled far and nigh"

Dunwich Beach

Suffolk, England

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Dunwich Beach, situated on the Suffolk coast, is a tranquil and scenic destination known for its long stretch of shingle beach, rich history, and diverse wildlife.

Dunwich Beach is a shingle beach located in front of the small village of Dunwich. The beach is set in a break between low crumbling cliffs where the road literally ends on the beach. Here, you will find a number of small boats pulled up on the sand, a large gravel car park, a small cafe, and a National Trust tearoom.

The village of Dunwich was once a thriving seaport, rivalling London in importance during the 11th century. However, over the centuries, the sea reclaimed much of the town, leaving behind only a few remnants, including a wonderful stretch of beach. This dramatic loss has contributed to the area's folklore, including tales of a maiden haunting the beach in search of her lost love.

The beach and surrounding countryside, including Dunwich Heath, are owned by the National Trust and are teeming with wildlife. The area is home to diverse wildlife, including rare birds like the Dartford warbler and nightjar, making it a haven for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

Dunwich Beach is a popular spot for fishing, dog walking, and paddling in the sea. The beach is generally less crowded, allowing for long walks without the hustle and bustle typical of popular seaside destinations. Visitors can explore the walking paths through the nearby Dunwich Forest and heathland, perfect for hiking and exploring the natural landscape. The area is also ideal for cycling and birdwatching.

Visitors to Dunwich Beach can enjoy a range of amenities, including a National Trust tearoom serving homemade cakes and local produce, a large gravel car park, and a small cafe. The beach is dog-friendly year-round, and there is also a Dunwich Museum on St James Street for those interested in taking in the local history.

Dunwich Beach is on the Suffolk Heritage Coast, and adjacent to the Suffolk Coast Path.

Shingle

Weather and tides for Thursday 8 October

Today
Chance of rain %
Max temperature 14°C
feels like 13°C
Wind 17mph
Max UV Index
Tonight
Chance of rain 88%
Min temperature 9°C
feels like 5°C
Wind 16mph

The tide at Dunwich Beach is currently falling. Low tide will be at approximately 3:56 PM, and the next high tide will be at approximately 10:25 PM.

Today's air pollution levels are forecast to be Low

Detailed weather and tides »

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Location: Dunwich

Location type: Rural

OS Grid: TM479705

Coordinates: 52°16'36"N 1°37'59"E

Mapcode: GBR YXX.CP1

What 3 Words: introduce.processes.rate

Coordinates and location codes are for an approximate mid-point of the beach, and may not reflect the best access point or the most popular part of the beach.

County: Suffolk

Country: England

Local Authority: Suffolk Coastal

Parish: Dunwich

Nearest postcode: IP17 3DS

(for sat-nav purposes only, a beach does not have a postal address!)

Important! Beach information is compiled from a variety of different sources and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of compilation. However, information may be incorrectly supplied by our sources or go out of date after publication. BritishBeaches.uk makes no warranty as to the accuracy of any information on this page.

Visitor information for Dunwich Beach, Suffolk, England. Weather, tides, visitor comments, beach facilities, photos, nearest postcode, beach information and nearby accommodation.

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216.73.216.20 Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:45:42 +0100