Image of Trimley Marshes from Suffolk Wildelife Trust.

The bird-rich tidal reaches of the Orwell contrast with the lagoons, reed beds and grazing meadows of the Suffolk Wildlife Trust’s Trimley Marshes Reserve, best viewed from public hides along the route.

From high ground at Sleighton Hill there are panoramic views over the Orwell estuary. The quiet waters towards Levington and Pin Mill contrast with maritime activity of Harwich Harbour, including the constant flow of huge ships serving Britain’s largest container port at Felixstowe.

Route finding - key points (numbers refer to points on the route diagrams)

1. Leaving Trimley station go left over the level crossing along Cordy's Lane.
2. Turn right off Cordy's Lane into Keeper's Track. Go past the entrance to Keeper's Lodge - keep ahead on footpath parallel to short 'permissive bridleway.'
3. Path goes off right, then almost immediately bears left to cross dam at head of small lake, then bears right through the corner of Kiln Grove to join track leading towards farm buildings at Grimston Hall.
4. Turn left along 'Stour and Orwell Walk Inland Route' down gentle slope overlooking Loompit Lake and riverside.
5. Go left along river bank, passing superb viewpoints at Sleighton Hill and follow either bank-top path or parallel bridleway passing Suffolk Wildlife Trust reserve at Trimley Marshes.
6. Go left away from river bank to follow flower-rich track skirting dock area.
7. A short deviation to Fagbury Cliff viewpoint overlooking busy port activity before returning along Cordy's Lane to Searson's Farm and Trimley station.