Sun, Sea, Beer and Chips
Sun, Sea, Beer and Chips
A 13 mile circular walk from Leiston to the White Hart Beer Festival in Aldeburgh
Easter 2011 was a really warm and sunny occasion and what better way to spend a Good Friday and Easter Monday than a casual walk through to Aldeburgh where The White Hart pub was holding its 9th Annual Beer Festival. Over 30 ales from across the country plus a selection of real cider, this really had to have something for everyone.
Essential Information
Walk Statistics:
Total Walk distance: 13 miles
Walk difficulty: Easy
Maps:
OS Map: OS Explorer Map Sheet 212 Woodbridge &Saxmundham
OS Route Map: Available here
Google Route Map: Available here
Walk Data
Date of Walk: 2011-04-22
Start Time: 12:00:00
End time: 18:30:00
Walkers: Griffmonster, Kat
Weather Conditions: Bright sunshine, blue skies and very warm
Equipment: none
Start Time: 12:00:00
End time: 18:30:00
Walkers: Griffmonster, Kat
Weather Conditions: Bright sunshine, blue skies and very warm
Equipment: none
Walk Notes ToC
I have to admit this is the first time I have attended the White Harts beer festival but it certainly didn't disappoint. I was well impressed by the broad selection of ales, some of which I had never heard of before. Tabatha the Knackered had to be the best named beer of the festival, a spicy 6% ale and worth drinking just for the name! Below is a list of the ales that were on offer, which is an impressive list considering it is just a humble little pub at the far end of Aldeburgh.
| Brewery | Beer | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kelham Island | Easy Rider | 4.3% as excellent as ever tho I am sure this used to be a lot stronger than this |
| Anglo Dutch | Tabatha the Knackered | 6.0% - worth having just for the name alone - spicy and warming but certainly not a session beer |
| Tring | Royal Poacher | 4.1% drinable fruity beer |
| Empire | Golden Warrior | 3.8% tasting notes said a sherbet aftertaste! Sure enough as it goes down there is a sherbet aftertaste! |
| Allgates | All Black Mild | Did not try |
| Northumberland | Pit Pony | 3.8% hoppy session beer |
| Derwent | Parsons Pledge | Did not try |
| Williams | Fraoch Heather Ale | 4.1% Interesting floral taste - dont think I would want more than one of these |
| Ilkley | Best | 4.0% very drinkable golden bitter ale |
| Lodden | Hoppit | 3.5% hoppy session beer |
| Lymestone | Foundation Stone | 4.5% a good example of an IPA - liked this one a lot |
| Inveralmond | Independance | 3.8% fruit and malt |
| Angus | Mashie Nivlick | Did not try |
| Mordue | IPA | 5.1% golden ale but did not seem the strength |
| Avon | Sovereign | Did not try |
| Bridestone | American Pale Ale | Did not try |
| Palmers | IPA | 4.2% malt and fruity - very nice beer |
| Palmers | Copper ale | Did not try |
| Quantock | Wills neck | Did not try |
| Potton | Village Bike | Did not try |
| Oakleaf | Nuptu'ale | Did not try |
| Daleside | Old Legover | Did not try |
| Burton Bridge | Sovereign Gold | Did not try |
| Adnams | Bitter | Did not try |
| Adnams | Broadside | Did not try |
| Adnams | Extra | Did not try |
| Adnams | Royal Wedding Ale | Did not try |
| Castle Rock | Harvest Pale | Did not try |
| Elgoods | Black Dog | Did not try |
| Everards | Tiger | Did not try |
| Everards | Original | Did not try |
| Fullers | London Pride | Did not try |
| Green Jack | Trawler Boys | Did not try |
| Green Jack | Mahseer IPA | Did not try |
| Meantime | London Pale ale | Did not try |
| Purity | Ubu | Did not try |
| Purity | Pure Gold | Did not try |
| Purity | Mad Goose | Did not try |
| Titanic | White Star | Did not try |
One of Aldeburgh's key points is its two chip shops which entertain huge queues no matter what time of the year it may be such is their reputation. So, after a few beers then you cant really leave without sampling some chips. Even us locals have to wait patiently with the holiday makers to get our portion of chips n scraps but I can assure you it was well worth it. Sun. Sea. Beer. Chips. Most excellent.
On the left Beer Festival Sign; On the right Beer Festival drinkers
Directions ToC
A track at the bottom of Red House Lane in Leiston will lead onto a footpath through to Thorpeness where the former railway track will take you through to Aldeburgh. Continue through the High Street or Crag Path to the southerly end and walk along the shingle spit between the sea and the Rive Alde to get access to Slaughden Quay and the Martello Tower. Return is along the beachside path to Thorpeness then follow the cliff tops to Siewell. Here a path at the Cliff House caravan park will lead back through to Red House Lane.
Leiston to Aldeburgh
From Leiston take Red House Lane which is the last road on the left as you leave Leiston on the Aldeburgh road. This goes down to the Leisure centre from where a track leads past the school playing fields. Beyond this there is a footpath that crosses the track, take the right hand path which leads through to Thorpeness Golf Course. Keep a straight path through the course slightly bearing to the left as the path leads out into the open. Here it will then go through some undergrowth and through the cutting in the railway. Turn immediately right and follow the embankment. the path will join a track which comes out onto the Thorpeness road. Go straight over and continue following the path. There are Sandlings waymarkers to Mere to the left and the other turns right and onto the old railway track. Take this and walk all the way through to Aldeburgh. Pass the caravan park where the broad path narrows and comes out onto a road. Go straight across and there is a short section of path before you meet the main road into Aldeburgh. Cross this and go onto the private road down the side of the library. Walk through until the road bears right where a track on the left. Take this and continue straight on as it junctions with a road. When this road bears sharp right the town steps lead down into central Aldebrugh. Turn right and walk through to the southern end of Aldeburgh. The houses give way to a shingle track with boatyards. Continue along this to the Martello tower which is a landmark in the distance.
Aldeburgh to Sizewell
Follow the coast path through to Thorpeness. At low tide it should be possible to continue along the beach here but at high tide , due to recent erosion, access is not possible. In this case walk through to the private road and up onto Thorpeness Common. Walk across the common to the far end where there is a sandy slope back down to the beach. The Suffolk Coast Path continues along the base of the cliff but soon navigates back to the top through to Sizewell
Sizewell to Leiston
At Cliff House caravan park, take the path between the static site and the touring field. At the end of the path and then road go straight across onto some common land and bear to the right until it meets up with a farm track. Continue until there is a junction of tracks and paths. Take the immediate right path bordered by hedgerows. This leads to the rear of Halfway cottages. At the end of the cottages, turn sharp left then sharp right to cross the fields heading for the cottage and track at the far side. This track then leads back into Red House Lane
Beer Festival at the White Hart Aldeburgh
Pubs ToC
White Hart, Aldeburgh View in OS Map | View in Google Map
This Grade II listed building dating from the 18th century, is a single roomed bar with wood panelling and decorated with nautical memorabilia. Originally a reading room, it bacame an alehouse during the early 1800s. The pub offers Adnams ales plus guests and has occasional music and basic pub food.
Aldeburgh Chip Shop
Features ToC
Aldeburgh Chip Shop View in OS Map | View in Google Map
Aldeburgh is notable for its two fish and chip shops where each day you can witness the huge queues that are testament to it being described as 'the finest on the east coast' Both of the chip shops have been owned and run by the Cooney family since 1967 and they only use local potatoes and fresh fish and fry their wares in beef dripping to give it that extra flavour.
Fishing boats on Aldeburgh Beach
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