Covehithe beach sits on a quiet stretch of the Suffolk coast. It is a sandy beach flanked by crumbling limestone cliffs that are eroding at an alarming pace. Irrigation pipes and the remains of brick structures can be seen poking out of the cliffs in various places, while fallen trees, smoothed and sculpted by the sea, protrude from the sand giving the beach an eerie feel. There is also a WWII pill box.
Nevertheless, it is a beautiful place to go for a walk and doesn’t get too crowded. Seals can be seen swimming offshore, and the cliffs are home to breeding sand martins.
The beach is also a draw for fossil hunters who come to search for echinoids, and sponges in the glacial beds at the top of the cliffs. There are also shells and fossil seeds in the sand beds that run along the bottom of the cliffs, and the occasional mammal bone washed up on the shore. Neolithic flint tools can also be discovered along the foreshore.
To the south of the beach is Benacre Broad, an isolated, brackish coastal lagoon surrounded by trees which forms part of Benacre National Nature Reserve. Managed by Natural England, the reserve comprises a variety of habitats including reedbeds, woodland, and heathlands. It is a haven for wildlife and particularly important for breeding birds such as bitterns, water rails, marsh harriers, and bearded tits. Typical East Anglian shingle plants including yellow horned poppy, sea kale, and prickly saltwort are also to be found.
Nearby the beach are the ruins of what was once a magnificent medieval church. All that remains of St. Andrew’s is the 14th century tower and some walling. After the English Civil War, the church became too expensive for its parishioners to maintain, and in 1672 they were given permission to remove the roof and build a new church inside the structure. The smaller church is thatched and still welcomes congregations today. Unfortunately, both churches are likely to disappear in a few decades positioned as they are at the edge of the cliff.
There are no facilities at Covehithe beach so be sure to bring a picnic if you plan on spending the day there. Access to the beach is along a single path from Covehithe village through arable fields and a pig farm. The path stops abruptly at the cliffs so if you reach that point you’ve gone too far and will need to double back on yourself. The path is unsuitable for wheelchairs but an off-road pushchair should be able to make it. There are no car parks nearby and roadside parking is limited.
