How to spend a Fun Day at Felixstowe Beach Suffolk
I’ve been lucky enough to live in this county for many years and love the diversity from forest walks to coastal days out. Being a ‘visitor at home’ reminds us just what we have on our doorsteps and how special it is.
Suffolk in Eastern England is well-loved in the UK for its rural life and quaint market towns of Woodbridge and Bury St Edmunds. Felixstowe Beach and the town itself has historically been a bit overshadowed and thought of as only a port.
But, honestly come visit and you will discover there are so many unique attractions and things to do in Felixstowe year-round.
Read on for our guide covering the many reasons to put Felixstowe at the top of your UK coastal town list! There’s much more than just its beach!
Where is Felixstowe Beach?
Along 50 miles of coastline 2 beaches hold ‘Blue Flag’ beach status. These are in Southwold and Felixstowe. Traditionally, most day-trippers head to Southwold or Aldeburgh but Felixstowe in the south of the county is growing in popularity.
- Felixstowe is around 95 miles from London with a driving time of around 2 hours along the A12 and A14. It’s the closest seaside town in Suffolk if coming from the capital.
- Unlike Southwold and Aldeburgh, Felixstowe has a railway station in town. With a quick train change in Ipswich, you can get there in 1 hour 45 minutes from London. Check trainline for other routes and fares.
- Nestled between the River Orwell and the River Deben, it is the only resort in Suffolk to face southwards. Ed Sheeran fans will often hear a mention to the Orwell or the A14 road in his songs.
What’s the History of Felixstowe?
Back in 1887, during the Victorian reign in Britain, the parish of Felixstowe consisted of a mere 864 people. Three years later, the railway line from Ipswich to Felixstowe opened increasing day visitors.
It grew further in popularity when the Empress of Germany and her family visited for several weeks in 1894.
Moving into the next century, the pier was built in 1905. During the Edwardian period, trips to the coast and seaside bathing became even more popular.
The population grew to 8666 by 1911 and the opening of the Spa Pavilion in 1938 with theatre shows, attracted more visitors. A container port created jobs when the shipping industry started in 1966 and with that, the town grew in size.
If you’re interested in Historic Photographs of Felixstowe as a seaside resort, take a look at these. It’s quite fascinating to see that although we live in a very different world today, the joy of going to the beach has remained throughout the years.
Felixstowe Museum (see later in this post) has many more excellent historical artifacts. By the way, the population today is over 24,000 and still growing.
A Four Mile Long Beach
Felixstowe’s beach is around 4 miles long which is brilliant as even in peak summer, you can always find a quiet spot. With many sunny days, this is a great spot for a few hours of Suffolk sunbathing.
If you arrive from the station, you’ll walk through the town centre (Hamilton Road), and down Bent Hill to the seafront. Here you will be in the middle of the promenade and close to the pier.
On one side of the pier is South Beach leading to Landguard Point. Opposite is North Beach leading to Old Felixstowe and Felixstowe Ferry. (More on both these places later in the post).
If you come by car there’s plenty of parking around the town.
South Beach and the Landguard Peninsula
At the southernmost end of the beach, a couple of miles walk from the centre of town is the Landguard Peninsula. Here you’ll find a range of maritime, local history, leisure, and nature activities. Every time I come up to this area, I am reminded just how much there is to see here and why it’s easy to spend a fun-packed day in Felixstowe.
Felixstowe Port is located here. There’s also a museum, Landguard Fort and the foot ferry to/ from the town of Harwich and Shotley Marina. In addition, there are 35 beautiful hectares of natural reserve. You can go cycling, walking, bird watching or just relax.
I’ll just run through a few key points on each activity. Pick out the ones that appeal to you. It’s easy to spend a whole day just around this part of Felixstowe!
Buses run from the centre of town to the peninsula. If you drive, there’s plenty of parking.
Felixstowe- A Container Port?
Yes, it is! If you like your statistics – it’s the busiest container port in the UK and the 8th busiest in Europe (at the time of writing).
Now this may not sound like the kind of place a tourist might want to visit but honestly, it is worth a look. It’s well signposted – ideally, you would drive up here as parking is available. Every time we go to the port, I am truly amazed at the size of the cargo ships.
Watching the cranes loading it is clear this is a skilled job. Stacking them on top of each other like a jigsaw – leaving no gaps is an art! There’s even a cafe here called ‘The Viewpoint Cafe’.
Felixstowe Museum
Next to the container port is Felixstowe Museum. With a small fee to visit (£4 for adults/£1 for children), it’s a fun way to spend an hour. Discover the history of Felixstowe and its links with the sea and shipping.
Find out how the town coped in WW2 and the tragic flooding of 1953. Sadly, 41 people lost their lives from a North Sea storm surge.
Each of the 14 museum rooms is named to introduce the artifacts and exhibits. There’s even a 1980s exhibition. Now if that doesn’t make you feel old, what does? The films, fashions, and technology now look so dated. But in their time, were just so in vogue!
The museum is open from April to October 11 am-5 pm. Take your picnic as there are benches outside or try the Beehive Cafe on site.
Foot Ferry Over the Water
From 1st April to 31st October, you can take the foot ferry to either Harwich (15 mins) or to Shotley (27 mins). Running in good weather, it’s the only ferry service connecting Suffolk and Essex.
It offers stunning views of the container port and ships and coastline. You can also take your bike!
Cyclists make a note if you don’t want to cycle the long way round! Check out the Harwich Harbour Ferry Timetable for crossing times. The company offers other excursions including seal watching trips.
Step Back in Time at Landguard Fort
Plan 1 ½ – 2 hours to get around the fort. With a history spanning over 450 years, Landguard Fort is known as one of England’s best preserved coastal defences.
It’s also the site of the last opposed invasion of the country in 667. Check out the maze of rooms, passageways and tunnels!
Linger over displays and artefacts that offer an insight into life inside the fort. Fascinating and well worth a visit. You’ll even hear ghostly tales of those who haunt the fort! Did you just shiver – me too!
Check their website for more information and booking times. It is an English Hertitage site so if you’re a member then entrance is free.
Visit A Beach on the Street!
This fabulous section of Felixstowe, known as Beach Street opened in December 2020. So it’s an exciting new addition to Felixstowe. The area markets itself as a place to ‘Eat, Drink, Shop’.
What is unique is that most of the small independent businesses operate from upcycled shipping containers!
It’s fun to wander around and the food is great. Try a burrito, a burger or even Vietnamese street food! You’ll be spoiled for choice.! Live music is a regular event here, so time it right and you’ll hear some great sounds too.
They’ve also got yoga or axe-throwing on offer – two activities at completely extreme ends of the spectrum! A new radio station, Suffolk Sounds has just started broadcasting from here. Tune in to hear all the local news.
Mini-Golf, Fish & Chips and a Ferris Wheel
Next to Beach Street, you’ll find a range of activities. This includes traditional amusements that have entertained families for years. Expect fruit machines, rides for small children and an adventure golf course.
There are more eating options serving classics like fish and chip and ice-cream. Although busy, queuing is worth it. What’s better than eating fish and chips outside? With lots of salt and vinegar they are so yummy! Just look out for those pesky seagulls!
And if you need to work off your indulgences, head to the activity park. It’s a little further down the promenade, offering outdoor space for workouts, table tennis tables, chess boards, and a climbing wall.
A ferris wheel is another addition holding up to 144 passengers in 24 gondola pods.
Stroll Felixstowe Pier
Felixstowe Pier is a real landmark along the promenade. It was once one of the longest piers in the UK with its own electric tramway running the length.
Sadly, walking along the pier now is much restricted. You can only venture a little way on it which is such a shame. I feel there is something magical about walking along the boardwalk with the sea beneath you.
Still, it offers another amusement centre including mini-bowling and the popular Boardwalk Cafe for both inside and alfresco dining serving breakfast, coffee, cakes, and full course meals. Two further outlets serve fish and chips and ice-cream
Pier to North Beach & Old Felixstowe
Heading north along the promenade from the pier, you’ll find various seafront bars and restaurants. A favourite of ours is the Alex Cafe Bar.
It’s a perfect spot for informal dining from a quick coffee, full breakfast, light snack or main meal. Their food and service is excellent! It gets busy so be patient if you have to wait for an outdoor table – it’s well worth it!
Various ‘live music’ events are held throughout the year. It’s also a great place for cocktails!
More entertainment is on offer at the Spa Pavilion. There is something for all tastes from an ABBA tribute band to annual pantomimes (Aladdin this year). Or maybe the Magic of Motown or History of Rock show? Check out their schedule and book early.
As you continue walking along the promenade you can’t help but admire the Edwardian tiered gardens and colourful beach huts. Hiring one is a fun option if you’re visiting for a few days – Rent your Beach Hut here.
Fludyers Restaurant is also here – both a lovely dining spot and a hotel on the seafront.
Explore Felixstowe Town Center
Partly pedestrianised, the town centre offers visitors a range of shops – choose from both UK high street stores and independent ones.
There are several banks, newsagents, book stores, chemists, more coffee shops and restaurants. Another favourite cafe of mine is of course, Ruby’s Cafe! There’s also a cinema – everything is walkable.
Stop by the Tourist Information Booth on the sea front to pick up helpful maps to explore Felixstowe. They also have other leaflets on things to see and do around the area and volunteers working there are very friendly.
If you prefer just go on-line to their website and download what you need.
Quieter End of Felixstowe Beach
Continuing along the Promenade you’ll come to Cobbled Point. Drop onto the shingle beach before picking up the concrete path. This is a quieter end of the beach and I love it!
Continue past more colourful beach huts as you reader along. Felixstowe Golf course is here. It’s one of the oldest courses in England, with the first club established in 1880!
Next you’ll pass by two Martello Towers. These round stone buildings were built over 200 years ago. They were put up as a defence against possible French invasion during the Napoleonic wars.
Soak in the view as you approach Old Felixstowe ferry – really memorable. Check out boats bobbing and across the river by the sandy shores of Bawdsey.
Old Felixstowe
It’s true! Old Felixstowe is small. It’s a collection of traditional houses around a green, and a boat yard. The Ferry Boat Inn pub serves pub food, does great chips and is dog friendly.
Right down on the quay side, children dangle nets off the pier hoping to catch a Felixstowe crab. Here you’ll find two cafes – both popular – serving food and drinks. Hop on the ferry across the River Deben to Bawdsey. It’s another of my favourite spots to enjoy the river.
Many events go on in Felixstowe throughout the year so do check their tourist website for details. With art along the prom, street entertainment there will be something for everyone. Enjoy – it’s a fun place!
Beyond Felixstowe
Explore more of Suffolk!
As well as beaches, there are many other parts of Suffolk to enjoy. Extend your visit and you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Some people come simply to escape city life and enjoy peaceful stays in tiny villages like Orford. Read our Complete Guide to Visiting Orford Castle and plan a fun day in this gorgeous spot.
Others come to attend sporting events held at the famous racecourse in Newmarket. Music lovers flock to the Latitude festival, near Southwold.
History enthusiast? Head to Sutton Hoo near Woodbridge. Discover the mounds where a burial ship of King Raedwald lay for over 600 years before it was unearthed. This is an English National Trust property. Suffolk has many other NT locations to explore including the impressive Tudor Kentwell Hall.
Walkers flock to Dunwich (also National Trust) to learn about the village that was lost to the sea. Also, it’s a beautiful ramble here through the heathland.
There is the UFO Trail in Rendlesham Forest. And of course, there’s the market town of Framlingham and the castle on the hill (also English Heritage property), made famous by Ed Sheeran!
Walk the complete Suffolk coastline
In truth, I’ve only touched on a few Suffolk spots and experiences. The entire Suffolk Coastal route is over 60 miles. If you have time, it’s a fabulous experience walking the complete coastline. There’s a set path to follow which is well signposted. Start at Landguard Fort and walk to Old Felixstowe.
Next cross over on the ferry to Bawdsey and continue through the villages and towns like Aldeburgh and Southwold. Finally, you end up in Lowestoft. I did this route over 5 days and it’s a brilliant way to enjoy Suffolk’s coastline.
With all the walking, there’s no need to feel any guilt when stopping off at the local pubs and cafes en route. They serve wonderful home-cooked meals, scones, ice cream, wine, or whatever whets your appetite!
Options for accommodation range from hotels, guest houses, B&Bs, camping and even shepherd’s huts
Wrap Up
We hope this post has inspired you to visit Suffolk and enjoy a fun-packed day in coastal Felixstowe.
When you are in Suffolk and have more than a day, Visit Woodbridge, close to the historic Sutton Hoo site and a town with great restaurants and riverside ambiance.
