You are here:  Towns -> Towns in Suffolk -> Felixstowe

Felixstowe Tourist Information


Situated on the coast of Suffolk, Felixstowe is a large town best known for its container port. It is just across the estuary of the Orwell and Stour rivers from Harwich.

The town of Felixstowe was in existence long before the Norman Conquest in the 11th century. Traces of Roman and Anglo-Saxon defences have been discovered in the area.

Initially it was significant to England's defense and in 1540 Landguard Fort was built to guard the entrance to Harwich. It marks the site of the last opposed invasion in England, in 1667, and was the first land battle between the Duke of York and Albany's Marines.

The fort was rebuilt in the 18th century with more recent modifications.

The town was originally recorded as Walton, changing its name to Felixstowe in the 13th century.

Felixstowe only developed as a port in 1886. It became a popular area for tourism and the pier was constructed in 1905. It was one of the longest piers in the UK with its own railway. It was deliberately sabotaged by Royal Engineers in World War II to prevent it being used as a landing stage for enemy troops.

The arrival of the mainline railway and a visit by the German imperial family boosted Felixstowe's image as a desirable resort.

In 1953 a disastrous flood hit the town and 48 people died.


Present Day Felixstowe

Felixstowe, with its 29,000 residents, is currently the largest container port in the UK.

It has a sandy beach south of the pier and a stony beach on the north side. Beach huts are arranged along the seafront promenade.

Entertainments include the usual seafront arcades with a leisure centre and swimming pool. It is linked by ferry to Halfpenny Pier in Harwich.

In the centre of Felixstowe is the Italianate South Beach Mansion which was built for the wealthy Eley family. At one time it was owned by the Portuguese royal family and in 1893 Kaiser Wilhelm II came to stay, putting Felixstowe firmly on the social map for Victorian society.

It has hosted Wallis Simpson and T.E.Lawrence and for a time was used as Felixstowe Town Hall. The club sandwich was said to have been invented here.

Another grand residence on the seafront is Harvest House, originally a hotel and now an elderly people's home.

The town has a Pavilion Theatre, library and various sports clubs including Felixstowe Golf Club.


Things to Do Around Felixstowe

Landguard Fort is now open to the public during the summer and is managed by English Heritage. It hosts historic events, re-enactments of battles, art exhibitions and other activities. There is a nature reserve close by.

As well as being an interesting defence, the fort is known for its paranormal activity. Sailors have apparently being seen looking out of a window, lights have been seen at night and other visitors have had strange sensations.

Felixstowe Museum is close to the fort at Languard Point and has 14 rooms of excellent exhibits about Felixstowe's military history. It includes artifacts, maps, Roman finds and the history of Martello towers in the former Submarine mining establishment.

Walks can be enjoyed around the coast along the 50-mile long Suffolk Coast and Heaths Path.

 

Images of Felixstowe
St.Andrews Church. © Peggy Cannell
St.Peter's and St. Paul's in Old Felixtowe. © Peggy Cannell
Old Felixtowe Village Sign. © Peggy Cannell
Weather: Felixstowe Weather Forecast

Here's a 5 day weather forecast for Felixstowe from the Met Office:



Directions
Show map of Felixstowe...


Attractions near Felixstowe
Sutton Hoo (8 Miles)*
At Sutton Hoo you can get close to one of the most important archaeological finds in this country's history - a fascinating story of Anglo-Saxon pagan kings, ship burials, treasure and warriors.
Orford Ness National Nature Reserve (11 Miles)*
Orford Ness is a wild and remote area and is the largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe. It contains a variety of habitats which are home to nationally rare birds, animals and plants.
Flatford Bridge Cottage (14 Miles)*
This thatched sixteenth century cottage is at the heart of Constable Country. It houses a display about the artist who features Bridge Cottage in several of his paintings.
more attractions in Felixstowe and things to do in Felixstowe ...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

What's near Felixstowe

Attractions:
  Sutton Hoo  9 Miles
  Orford Ness National Nature Reserve  12 Miles
  Flatford Bridge Cottage  14 Miles
more attractions in Felixstowe...
 
Towns:
  Walton  <1 Mile
  Trimley St Mary  2 Miles
  Harwich  2 Miles
more towns near Felixstowe...
 
Estate Agents:
  Charles Hawkins  <1 Mile
  Cory and Co  4 Miles
  Bairstow Eves East  4 Miles
Hotels:
  Orwell Hotel  <1 Mile
  The Waverley Hotel  <1 Mile
  The Brook Hotel  <1 Mile
more hotels in Felixstowe area...
 
Bed and Breakfast:
  The Norfolk Guest House  1 Mile
more bed and breakfasts near Felixstowe...
 
Self Catering:
  Shotley Bungalow  4 Miles
  The Stables Annexe  6 Miles
  Cottages at Thatched Farm  7 Miles
more self catering near Felixstowe...
 
Campsites:
  Peewit Caravan Park  1 Mile
  Felixstowe Beach Holiday Park  1 Mile
  Suffolk Sands Holiday Park  1 Mile
TIC: Felixstowe Tourist Information Centre     Tel: 01394 276770  <1 Mile



Sponsored Links


Towns near Felixstowe
Walton Tourist Information (< 1 Mile)*
Trimley St Mary Tourist Information (2 Miles)*
Harwich Tourist Information (2 Miles)*
more towns near Felixstowe...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Hotels near Felixstowe
Orwell Hotel (< 1 Mile)*
The Elizabeth Orwell Felixstowe is located close to the quaint town of Felixstowe and provides an excellent base for exploring the East Suffolk Coast area.
The Waverley Hotel (< 1 Mile)*
An Edwardian hotel under new management since August 2006, The Waverley is ideal for the business or leisure traveller. The hotel frontage has been fully refurbished, and most bedrooms have sea and promenade views.
Marlborough Hotel (1 Mile)*
The Marlborough Hotel is the largest and only sea front hotel in Felixstowe, 250 yards south of the pier complex. The hotel has 49 en-suite bedrooms, many with sea views; a lift serves the 1st and 2nd floor.
more Felixstowe hotels (and nearby)...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Self Catering near Felixstowe
Cottages at Thatched Farm (6 Miles)*
2 Cottages at Thatched Farm - 5 minutes from both Woodbridge and Waldringfield, Thatched Farm is set in open countryside surrounded by fields, woods and footpaths. Yet we are only 5 minutes from several pubs for dining.
Findley Cottage Retreat (9 Miles)*
Beautiful & unique 18th century period self catering holiday cottage. Set in rural village of Stutton on edge of Essex/Suffolk borders. An ideal place to relax and unwind, central to visit historic and local places of interest.
Your property could be here
Advertising your self catering property or holiday cottage on AboutBritain.com will get you noticed by thousands of potential guests every day.
more self catering near Felixstowe ...
* Distances shown are in a direct line. Distances by road will be longer.

Popular Pages

     National Trust | Estate Agents     

 Copyright © 1999-2012 Excelsior Information Systems Limited. All rights reserved.
Press Room  Terms of Use  Privacy  Link to Us  Index  Site Map