North London to Southwold

[G Llo]

Anybody done this ride and can offer a route or any advice? I've heard of the Dunwich Dynamo but we aint that hard core. There'll be 3 of us and we'd like to do it in maybe 2 days and then get a train back to London. Is two days too much for 3 relatively fit, but not Lance Armstrong, beer drinkers?

Oh, and any pub recommendations more than welcome....

Thanks

G

 

[dellzeqq]

It depends where you start from (North London covers a multitude of sins) but, I'd aim for Brentwood, take the back roads via Padham's Green to Stock then go on via West and East Hanningfield to Bicnacre and Maldon, then via some lovely back roads to Tolleshunt, then on to the northern tip of Mersea Island, take the ferry to Point Clear, then go on to St Osyth, Thorpe-le-Soken and in to Harwich (the road from Thorpe to Harwich isn't a lot of fun, but there are some nice views), take the ferry to Felixstowe, then another ferry to Bardsey, and then Snape, Leiston, Westleton, Walberswick, and take the ferry over to Southwold.

You may have to check out the ferry websites and to call ahead. There's some half decent B+Bs in Harwich, but it might be nice to spend the night on Mersea Island (if you've got the ferry on to Point Clear sorted for the morning).

(later edit) pubs. The Blue Boar in Maldon (the Continental Cafe does a nice tea, and the service is better than the bigger place opposite). Harwich is stuffed with decent pubs. The Eels Foot Inn at Eastbridge is nice. There are nice pubs in Walberswick - I like the Anchor.

 

[G Llo]

Great, thanks heaps! Just what I need.

It depends where you start from (North London covers a multitude of sins) but, I'd aim for Brentwood, take the back roads via Padham's Green to Stock then go on via West and East Hanningfield to Bicnacre and Maldon, then via some lovely back roads to Tolleshunt, then on to the northern tip of Mersea Island, take the ferry to Point Clear, then go on to St Osyth, Thorpe-le-Soken and in to Harwich (the road from Thorpe to Harwich isn't a lot of fun, but there are some nice views), take the ferry to Felixstowe, then another ferry to Bardsey, and then Snape, Leiston, Westleton, Walberswick, and take the ferry over to Southwold.

You may have to check out the ferry websites and to call ahead. There's some half decent B+Bs in Harwich, but it might be nice to spend the night on Mersea Island (if you've got the ferry on to Point Clear sorted for the morning).

(later edit) pubs. The Blue Boar in Maldon (the Continental Cafe does a nice tea, and the service is better than the bigger place opposite). Harwich is stuffed with decent pubs. The Eels Foot Inn at Eastbridge is nice. There are nice pubs in Walberswick - I like the Anchor.

 

[d87heaven]

I would avoid staying in Harwich as its a bit of a dump and have to disagree about it being stuffed with decent pubs but it depends what you like. But they do have an excellent foot ferry service to felixstowe. From there you can go to the other end of felixstowe and get another foot ferry to bawdsey and ride up the coast to southwold from there using mostly country lanes.

OR...
Get the ferry from felixstowe and go via trimley, kirton, newbourne, waldringfield (nice pub on the river), martelsham, woodbridge then again on up towards southwold

OR

From harwich cycle through oakley,wix, bradfield , mistley, manningtree and then unfortunately you have to go through Ipswich( or you can skirt it but its a bit of added mileage) Then agian on to woodbridge and up the coast to southwold.
Not sure on what milage you are planning but you could then get the train back from Darsham, halesworth or bramfield.

If you need any more info then just ask, and give us a wave as you pass Ipswich!