River Alde

The River Alde is a river in Suffolk, England passing by Snape and Aldeburgh. The river is known as the River Ore as it approaches Orford and flows by a shingle spit before emptying into the North Sea.

The source of the River Alde is near Laxfield in the same area as the River Blyth. Initially a stream, it becomes tidal and widens considerably when it reaches Snape. It meanders east past Aldeburgh, after which this part of the river was named. Though it once entered the sea near Orford, the mouth of the river has now been pushed some five miles further south as shingle has accumulated over hundreds of years after which it splits to form Havergate Island and is joined by its tributary, the Butley River, before reaching the sea at Shingle Street.

During Tudor times, the river served as a port from which four ships were launched to fight against the Spanish Armada. The river no longer serves as a port but as an area for yacht club members to gather to sail.