Practical Boat Owner - February 2016

Southwold and the River Blyth

and flowed for a total of seven
miles to the market town of
Halesworth. The upper 3-mile
section contained four locks that
were closed under the terms of
the 1930 Land Drainage Act,
thus making the road bridge at
Blythburgh the limit of navigation.
The remaining navigable waters
can be tackled by small boats
capable of passing under the
Bailey bridge a couple of hours
either side of HW.
The use of this water is not
actively encouraged because it
flows through a Special Protection
Area (an area identified and
protected under the EU Birds
Directive as being internationally
important for breeding over-
wintering and migrating birds).
However, the navigable channel
is indicated by painted wooden
posts that are maintained by
the River Blyth Navigation
Association. The relatively narrow
river meanders through Reydon
and Tinker’s marshes for the first
two miles above Southwold before
opening up into a large expanse
of open water that dries out to a
series of trickles at LW.
With the notable exception of a
small stage built for the exclusive

use of the River Blyth Navigation

Association’s members, there

are no moorings available at

Blythburgh. The village’s stunning

mediæval church dominates the

surrounding landscape and is

known locally as ‘the Cathedral

of the Marshes’. The narrow

country lane leading to the

church is lined by beautiful

thatched cottages, while the White

Hart pub is a good place to sit

back and enjoy the scenery.

Highly-prized huts

Alternatively, those looking to

unwind closer to the visitor

moorings could walk across the

road to the Harbour Inn, where

you can also enjoy a good quality

meal at a reasonable price.

Afterwards, why not explore one

of the area’s numerous public

footpaths to burn off the calories?

I recently rediscovered the magic

of the footpath that runs across

the marshes from beside the

Harbour Inn towards the common.

By using this footpath or following

the road, it takes about 15-20

minutes to reach the town itself.

From there you can either explore

the town or head to the seafront.

The walk along the golden

sandy beach takes you past the

brightly-painted wooden beach

huts, which change hands for

up to £150,000, despite a lack of

electricity, running water and the

right to sleep overnight in them.

Comparable in size to the average

garden shed, a few of these

highly-prized huts are available for

hire on a weekly basis, with prices

ranging from £100 to £250 per

week. The restored 623ft Victorian

pier offers wonderful views of the

seafront, especially in the morning

sun. It has a nice tearoom and a

The stretch of water above this Bailey Bridge was once a busy commercial highway known as the Blyth Navigation

...and the Harbour Marine Services slipway, with the same proviso ➜

collection of bizarre machines

including a distinctive water clock

and the unique ‘Under The Pier

Show’. Plans are afoot for the

preserved passenger vessel MV

Balmoral to visit the pier again in

2016 to embark/disembark people

for cruises along the coast.

A classic Punch and Judy

show can be seen by the pier

throughout the summer months

to round off the traditional seaside

experience. The timings for these

shows will be posted on the pier’s

website along with the details for

Upper Blyth to Blythburgh Road Bridge runs through a Special Protection Area Trailable boats can use the Justin Ladd slipway by prior arrangement...

Blythburgh Church