The Waterfront Guide
FIRST - Arriving
There is no significant car parking directly on the Waterfront.
The Waterfront is protected from overparking by the railway line. The car parking provision on the Town side of the railway line is very good. Access to the Waterfront is always across level crossings except for a single footbridge at the station. Find it and enjoy the wonderful elevated views across the Town Quay to the river.
The ample car parking is near the Station and the Swimming Pool
The Waterfront
The Waterfront at Woodbridge is unlike anywhere else. It folds around the river's curve, which at High Water is thronging with busy, boating activity, whilst at Low Water the riverside returns to the Oystercatcher's call. The opposite shore is picturesquely, rural Suffolk. Called the Sutton shore it is the location of the world–famous discovery of the mighty Anglo-Saxon ship burial. At one end of the waterfront is the wonderful, working Tide Mill with a yacht marina tucked away behind it. At the opposite, downriver end, standing on its stilts above the water is the Deben Yacht Club; the oldest Yacht Club in the country. Between these two landmarks, the waterfront is home to a fascinating mix of sights to see, activities to undertake, businesses to explore, with opportunities for education and entertainment for all the family.
We cannot name everything, but here are just some of the places for you to investigate. They are grouped according to location. Each place mentioned will have its own website, so please click on them to discover much more than we can tell here.
This GUIDE is proably unique as it may be the ONLY one describing Woodbridge, that has NO picture of the Tide Mill.
You'll can find some elsewhere on this site.
We leave it to you.
The Tide Mill the most famous photogenic building on the East Coast.
You WILL photograph it!
oooOOOooo
Whisstocks Place The name comes from the old Whisstocks Boatyard that was once on this site.
Where organisations and businesses have website details
they will also have website links close by In Brackets.
Click on these links to open their websites.
Test it with this first business link BELOW the picture
Want to travel further?
It you have travelled to Tide Mill Way, it is appropriate after crossing the railway to to be greeted by Deben Travel
Want a meal?
To see more details of any of the businesses below - access their websites
(TheBoathouseWoodbridge.co.uk) 
Check websites Opening times Services Supplies Menues
Woodbridge was once a centre of sailmaking and this modern business, Suffolk Sails continues that tradition.
(Coffeelink.com) (Mathesonelectrical.co.uk) (SuffolkSails.net)
Visit Woodbridge Museum to discover more about the historic story of the region
Sea Scouts are housed adjacent to the Old Customs House. Its secure metal door is still visible.
(WoodbridgeMuseum.com) (ArdvarksandDragons.com)
Ardvarks and Dragons Proves that not everything in Woodbridge is ‘history’. This is positively futuristic.
Enjoying the sunshine outside The Woodyard Pizza and Coffeelink
(TheWoodyard.pizza) Find the Secret path (TouchwoodBespoke.com)
A wooded riverside path leaves the hustle and bustle behind, to pass boatyards and open vistas across the river.
The 'secret' entrance to the path hides close alongside Suffolk Scoop, but can you find it?
There will be more information about what explorers might find along this path in the forthcoming second page of this Guide.
Suffolkcoffeepod.com On some high tides the Waterfront can be flooded. Inside Whisstocks Place is protected by sliding, glass-topped gates.
These walkers outside the grey gates risk getting their feet wet on these rare occasions. On lower tides the gates are left open.
Town Quay
The Town Quay is filled with houseboats - but interesting ones.
People live on the first floor of the buildings, due to the high tides explained above.
Art Safari features many artists, but if we can select just one, it would be Claudia Myatt.She has an adventurous background of maritme travel, but her artwork has become recognised as capturing the essence of Woodbridge.
These two pictures above were taken from the same viewpoint. The boats are higher than the land.
Claudia Mugs.
Within living memory there was a ferry that crossed the river here. The boatman would sit waiting at the end of the quay. The ferry was intermittent as access is difficult at low water.
There is still a waiting hut on the opposite Sutton shore.
For many years a caravan on the Town Quay provided drinks and snacks.
It has now been recplaced with a better building offering elevated eating and superior views over the harbour - AND - it keeps the diner's feet dry as the High tide laps up to the access steps. There is no better place to be marooned!
Passengers arriving in the station by train look towards the river over a host of masts, not afloat, but for sale.
A boat for everyone. Fishing - Sailing - Runabout
(AndySeedhouseBoatsales.co.uk) This is an especially interesting and colourful website with additional pictures of the Waterfront. It even recommends eating in the cafe.
Want to cruise in a sailing yacht or chug along in a power boat?
Want to walk? Promenade the river's edge. Want to row? The rowing club has many craft.
(woodbridgeandwaldringfieldboatyards.co) (DebenRowingClub.com)
To see a traditonal boatyard with traditional craftspeople, working tradional skills, on traditional boats, look no further than the Woodbridge Boatyard. See our Homepage for a 'Community' launching event.
Puzzle?
What is going on here?
This strange sight is to be seen near the river wall at the Woodbridge Boatyard, but only at High Water. At low water the puzzle is explained. The sign on the wall tells all.
Toilets.
Public toilets are located adjacent to the Woodbridge Boatyard.
Access is from the pedestrian lane running from the Waterfront-wall walk, towards the railway crossing.
Want a trip on the river? Want to dinghy sail or canoe on the river?
Boat trips are determined by the time of High Water. 3 trips per tide.
They start from near the bandstand at the Town steps. (DebenYachtClub.co.uk)
As we mentioned at the top of the page, we cannot get everything onto a single page. A second page is in preparation and will be appearing shortly. In the meantime, why don't you visit and explore the wonderful Woodbridge Waterfront for yourself? We hope that you will find that the local people will be helpful and welcoming. Before we go - find out a bit more about The Longshed run by the Woodbridge Riverside Trust and the Anglo-Saxon ship build happening inside it.