This photographed walk (about an hour) begins on a very open sandy path across the heather - best in August - heathland, that runs approximately north-north-west, and a little inland from the visitor centre. The landscape changes to mixed pine and broad-leafed woodland, where we have seen deer, several times. These photos were taken on 8th March 2008.
The red circle on this map shows the parking and starting point of the walk, heading off in roughly in a north-north-westerly direction along the sandy path. Parking is available in the National Trust car park, by the Coastguard Cottages, where refreshments are usually available.
1. It doesn't seem to matter what time of the year, there is always gorse in flower.
2. Although you might not see deer, there is plenty of evidence - hoof-prints in the sandy soil - these ones collecting dead heather flowers. We have seen deer from about 100 yards distance.
3. One of the few trees standing on the often very breezy top of the open heathland.
4. The path turns left going further inland. Many of the silver birch trees have been removed as "weeds" but some remain, providing a break from the dull dormant heather.
5. There are occasional benches for a rest. This one, just before the path descends into a small valley.
Although the path sometimes has puddles this walk doesn't usually need particularly stout footwear.
6. Stile leads into a different type of scenery with more small trees and much bracken.
7. Uphill for a while, between rows of silver birch and alongside what appears to be a pathway that has been turned over, presumably for riders - this part of the walk is a bridleway. On the left, over the crest, if not overgrown by seasonal vegetation, you will see will see the remains of WW2 "pillbox" defences. Just along the coast at Minsmere, there are cubic blocks of concrete, serving as anti-tank defences.
8. Leaving the bridleway again, turning towards the coastguard cottages, through naturally wild, mostly deciduous woodland.
9. There are many trees that have fallen over the years, left where they fell. Maybe some of these are even victims of the 1987 storm which was particularly fierce in this part of the country.
10. Back down into the slight valley.
11. I have no idea if this is a natural waterway or man-made. Much of the year it is covered in green pond weed but in March, it is inky black water.
12. Turn right immediately after the kissing gate (pic. no.10) and the path leads towards the sea, alongside the water, through more silver birch and, in season, bracken.
13. At the right time of year, this is a good spot for dragonfly. And we had the great pleasure of seeing a water vole swimming alongside the boardwalk from where this photo was taken.
14. The path opens up a little, with small oaks, and winds alongside reed beds.
15. Beyond the dead bracken, birch stump, and reeds is the grey block of Sizewell A nuclear power station, with the white dome and blue block of Sizewell B. This telephoto image brings the power station closer than it really is.
16. Near the end of this circular walk, you climb over the secondary bund - the second sea defence for Minsmere - and onto the beach. This view down the coast, this time with a wide-angle lens pushing Sizewell nuclear power station further than it really is.
17. Up a fairly steep climb to the coastguard cottages, where refreshments can be had in the National Trust cafe.