St James' Church, Dunwich – Leiston Abbey Chapel Ruins loop from Dunwich
St James' Church, Dunwich – Leiston Abbey Chapel Ruins loop from Dunwich
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hikers
St James' Church, Dunwich – Leiston Abbey Chapel Ruins loop from Dunwich
04:15
16.5km
80m
Hiking
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.
Last updated: April 25, 2026
Tips
Your route passes through protected areas
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Waypoints
Start point
Bus stop
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83 m
Dunwich Museum
Highlight • Historical Site
Translated by Google •
Tip by
309 m
St James' Church, Dunwich
Highlight • Religious Site
It also has its fair share of folklore. The 'dark heart of Dunwich' is the story of a broken-hearted maiden who haunts the seafront, desperately seeking her lost love. It is also said that, if you listen closely, you can hear the bells of the former port over the wind during storms.
Tip by
367 m
Remains of St James's Leper Hospital and Chapel
Highlight • Religious Site
8.23 km
The Eel's Foot Inn
Highlight • Pub
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9.46 km
View Over Minsmere
Highlight • Natural
Tip by
10.5 km
Leiston Abbey Chapel Ruins
Highlight • Monument
The chapel and surrounding land is an important Scheduled Ancient Monument, protected by law and managed by the RSPB as part of their conservation work. The only visible remains of the original Premonstratensian Abbey are a small chapel that was thought to have been used until the dissolution in 1537.
Research has shown that this chapel was built upon the site of the original church and wider precinct of Leiston Abbey which was founded in 1182 by Ranulf de Glanville, Lord Chief Justice to King Henry II. The Abbey was moved to its current location 2 miles away in 1363, and these ruins can still be seen today.
Geophysical survey has shown that buried remains include cloisters, living quarters and many other buildings, now preserved for the long term by reversion from arable cultivation to pasture. Grant aided by English Heritage and Natural England, the RSPB has stabilised and restored the chapel to preserve it for the future with a permissive path to the chapel opened in 2016.
Tip by
11.1 km
Minsmere Sluice
Highlight • Natural Monument
Minsmere Sluice is tidal and allows the river to flow into the North Sea. The river has been rerouted to make way for agricultural fields so it comes to the sluice via a manmade drain.
Tip by
16.2 km
Greyfriars Monastery Ruins
Highlight • Monument
Tip by
16.5 km
End point
Bus stop
Way Types & Surfaces
Way Types
6.81 km
6.28 km
1.93 km
1.53 km
Surfaces
6.73 km
4.36 km
2.90 km
1.32 km
696 m
492 m
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Elevation
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Weather
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Friday 8 May
16°C
10°C
0 %
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Max wind speed: 15.0 km/h
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