Shingle Street Beach - 2022

Shingle Street is a small hamlet on the Suffolk coast about six miles northeast of Felixstowe. Between the hamlet and the sea is a wide shingle beach that stretches about a mile and a quarter to the north and about a mile and a half to the south, tapering away at both ends. There is no official naturist area here, but the beach to the south is used by naturists.

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We were told about the beach by a couple of members at Springwood Sun Club – see our Essex page – during our visit there. They use it quite often. On the day that we went we noticed one nude couple just below the southernmost houses and a dressed fisherman a few tens of yards further south. We walked about a hundred yards past the fisherman, stripped off and settled down. As on many beaches, the first 10% is used by 90% of the visitors.

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There are notices advising visitors of strong currents and the shingle does drop fairly sharply into the sea. In spite of this the sea was so calm that we were able to swim close to the shore. It took only a few steps into the sea for us to be out of our depth.

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There is free parking for a few cars at N52.0319° E1.4483°.

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For those who like history there are three Martello Towers behind the beach and one to the south just at the end of the beach. The National Trust property, Sutton Hoo, is about eight miles inland.