With beautiful beaches, family-friendly attractions and plenty of historic charm, Felixstowe is well-deserving of its status as one of the top holiday destinations in Suffolk. It has all the charm of a traditional English seaside resort, including colourful beach huts and an amusement pier.
Things to do in Felixstowe
Felixstowe features a 6.5-kilometre stretch of beach, making it ideal for bucket-and-spade fun. Lay down your towel on the sand or rent a brightly-painted beach hut for the day. A breezy seafront promenade stretches along the coast from Felixstowe Ferry to Landguard Point. A few steps inland, you’ll find fish and chip shops, cafes and ice cream parlours.
The Seafront Gardens overlook the coast and recall the town’s Victorian past. The gardens were laid out by lords and ladies in the 18th century and have been beautifully restored to their former grandeur. Highlights include the gleaming bronze sundial, bubbling fountain and historic Rose Garden filled with pastel-coloured blooms. The best ice cream parlours use milk from Felixstowe’s local herd of dairy cows.
It’s hard to resist the allure of Felixstowe Pier, where you’ll find arcade games and a mini 10-pin bowling alley. Ocean Boulevard fun park is another family favourite with rides, attractions and kiosks selling toffee apples, fairy floss and other seaside treats.
Passenger ferries sail across the River Deben and connect Felixstowe with the charming village of Bawdsey Quay. From the riverfront beach, you can see a 19th-century Martello tower built to defend the coast from French attacks.
Getting around Felixstowe
Felixstowe is pedestrian-friendly and easy to get around on foot. Bicycles are a fun and eco-friendly way to explore the coast. The village is a 30-minute drive from Ipswich and 2.5 hours from London. Trains run between Felixstowe and London in two hours and Heathrow Airport is a three-hour drive away.