Dunwich Heath and Beach
Dunwich Heath and Beach
Dunwich Heath and Beach
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
489 reviews
Excellent
331
Very good
117
Average
19
Poor
14
Terrible
8
judithsharp100
Dunwich, UK1 contribution
Sep 2020 • Couples
Beautiful part of the coast with rare natural habitats for birds. Unusually busy at the moment. Not all visitors just now are aware of the special nature of this place. Please be aware that as soon as you step out of the (free) car park, you are in a nature reserve run by Suffolk Wildlife Trust. It is not appropriate to picnic here, or camp, or ride electric bicycles. There are rare and beautiful birds nesting on the ground. Please understand you are welcome to walk here all year round, but respect the birds and wildlife.
Written September 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MH2511
Droitwich, UK340 contributions
Aug 2020 • Family
With parking only available through online bookings, the National Trust have been able to stagger arrival times. We booked for 10am and got the whole beach to ourselves for a short while. After a few hours the car park was still only half full and the beach and still blissfully quiet. At low tide there is sufficient sand for plenty of sandcastle fun too.
The cafe has toilets and some basic drinks and snacks too, all with safe social distancing measures in place. A further highlight are several signposted heath walks of varying life, all with an abundance of wildlife.
The cafe has toilets and some basic drinks and snacks too, all with safe social distancing measures in place. A further highlight are several signposted heath walks of varying life, all with an abundance of wildlife.
Written August 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LaViaBelle
Norfolk, UK77 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
Beautiful place to go for an exhilarating walk along the stunning coastline. The area is not over commercialised which is lovely and there is a peaceful heathland you can walk through to do some bird watching too. There are two main cafe/parking areas one of which is run by the National Trust (free parking for members), the other parking by Flora Cafe has a large free car parking space. There are signs asking that dogs are kept on leads but it should be noted that not many people took notice of this!
Written April 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate C
Harleston, UK2 contributions
Nov 2024 • Friends
This review is for the National Trust cafe not the amazing Dunwich Heath itself. Being a local, I love to take friends and family here have a walk then go to the pub or somewhere. Today I decided to go to the cafe but wish I hadn't bothered. Dogs welcome it says on big signs, clearly a lie also it felt like people were also NOT WELCOME. You should get the staff from the ticket office outside to give the cafe staff especially the older staff some training in customer service or even if they don't want to be there just pretend to be nice! I felt sorry for the lad who worked in there such a toxic atmosphere. Grubby uncared for space cannot believe that the National Trust has allowed this cafe to operate like this! I will not be coming back to the Cafe , I will be spending my money elsewhere.
Apart from that we had a lovely time at Dunwich Heath as usual.
Apart from that we had a lovely time at Dunwich Heath as usual.
Written November 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Neil W
Leamington Spa, UK14 contributions
Feb 2025 • Friends
Recently visited the Cafe with friends and was appalled by the rudeness of the member of staff serving me.
After asking politely for a couple of coffee’s was ‘barked at’ and told to get to the back of the queue!
Oddly, at the time of approaching the till, I was the only customer present. By the time the member of staff had acknowledged me, another customer was stood behind me.
Furthermore, at the time of attempting to pay for my drinks, I was again ‘barked’ at by the same member of staff, as I was apparently stood in the wrong place. I needed to move about a metre to my right in order to pay.
Probably the rudest customer service I have ever experienced!
After asking politely for a couple of coffee’s was ‘barked at’ and told to get to the back of the queue!
Oddly, at the time of approaching the till, I was the only customer present. By the time the member of staff had acknowledged me, another customer was stood behind me.
Furthermore, at the time of attempting to pay for my drinks, I was again ‘barked’ at by the same member of staff, as I was apparently stood in the wrong place. I needed to move about a metre to my right in order to pay.
Probably the rudest customer service I have ever experienced!
Written February 8, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luidee
England308 contributions
Sep 2022 • Couples
Beach and heathland beautiful but the national Trust aspect was hideous.
£6 to park.
Cafe didn't serve hardly any food. None of the usual soups and sandwiches or quiches. The only thing available was a small sausage roll for 4.50!!
The coffee was burnt and sour, I tipped it away after a few sips
Left after 5 minutes to go to the pub instead
Don't waste your time
My top tip is to park at the beach for free or a small donation. Walk along the beach, cut up through where the NT carpark is. Then walk back through the heath to the beach
There's a lovely fish shop restaurant there and the ship Inn is great too
£6 to park.
Cafe didn't serve hardly any food. None of the usual soups and sandwiches or quiches. The only thing available was a small sausage roll for 4.50!!
The coffee was burnt and sour, I tipped it away after a few sips
Left after 5 minutes to go to the pub instead
Don't waste your time
My top tip is to park at the beach for free or a small donation. Walk along the beach, cut up through where the NT carpark is. Then walk back through the heath to the beach
There's a lovely fish shop restaurant there and the ship Inn is great too
Written October 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Etraveller
Kent, UK103 contributions
Oct 2024 • Couples
Yet again visited this lovely area to be met with hordes of runners and fast walkers who just arrogantly dash past anyone looking to appreciate the wonderful nature. The paths are narrow and not suitable for organised events. All these non paying people are not interested in the nature but purely use the reserve for exercise to the detriment of walkers.
It would be more suitable if such events, if they have to take place here, were held outside opening times
We have been NT members and payers for many years and object to the free use of non paying runners
Take care if you visit on a sunday morning!
It would be more suitable if such events, if they have to take place here, were held outside opening times
We have been NT members and payers for many years and object to the free use of non paying runners
Take care if you visit on a sunday morning!
Written October 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol B
Gorefield, UK10 contributions
Sep 2021
We visited Dunwich Beach twice, the first time our Sat Nav took us to the National Trust carpark this was an expensive mistake being a non member it is £15 with a difficult path down to the beach.
The beach itself is cobbled but it is a lovely stretch of coastline and I enjoyed several swims in the sea. Highly recommend.
The beach itself is cobbled but it is a lovely stretch of coastline and I enjoyed several swims in the sea. Highly recommend.
Written September 19, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
emuslushy
London, UK422 contributions
Oct 2021
Dunwich is a fantastic area to visit.
Lots of walks and trails across the heath and down to the beach. It is so relaxing to just sit on the beach and listen to the sound of the waves.
Parking is free for NT members, there is also a cafe and / or snack shack, second hand bookshop and toilets.
Much more relaxing to visit during the week, as it does get very busy at the weekend.
Lots of walks and trails across the heath and down to the beach. It is so relaxing to just sit on the beach and listen to the sound of the waves.
Parking is free for NT members, there is also a cafe and / or snack shack, second hand bookshop and toilets.
Much more relaxing to visit during the week, as it does get very busy at the weekend.
Written February 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1plato23
Bury St. Edmunds, UK439 contributions
Jul 2021
Really enjoyed our visit. As we are members the car park was free otherwise its a bit pricey if you only want a short stay.
Varied walks and the beach as well. Dog enjoyed it too.
Food is not cheap but curried pasties were delicious.
Short or long visit would be fine.
We were lucky with the weather - sunny but not too hot and the heather looked amazing.
Varied walks and the beach as well. Dog enjoyed it too.
Food is not cheap but curried pasties were delicious.
Short or long visit would be fine.
We were lucky with the weather - sunny but not too hot and the heather looked amazing.
Written July 26, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
yes but on leads. Parking is free to NT members - just scan your membership card at the ticket machine.
Written July 28, 2018
Is this a reasonable spot to swim from - e.g. any strong currents to watch out for
Written June 10, 2016
Going to answer my own question having just got back. yes it is fine to swim from if a bit stony & relatively sloping. Young children would need watching. High & Low tide marks are realtively close to each other
Written August 12, 2016
Usually in the Lake District and on the Lancashire moors it is September through to October, I would guess given a week or so it should be around the same time.
Written September 20, 2016
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