First Light Festival
_What's there to do in Lowestoft
Lowestoft is enjoying a cultural and seafront renaissance
At the northern-most point of Suffolk, and the most easterly seafront in the UK, the charming seaside town of Lowestoft on Suffolk’s Sunrise Coast is getting its time in the spotlight, propelled by a £29m regeneration programme to develop a more vibrant town centre and seafront.
On the River Waveney, part of the Broads National Park, Lowestoft has a traditional Victorian seafront with a lovely promenade edging a long and sandy beach, two piers, East Point Pavilion which has a café and events, beach huts and attractive Royal Plain and Royal Green.
The Royal Plain fountains are a new innovation, with colour-changing lighting day and night. If it’s a hot day, why not cool off.
Both Kirkley Cliff and Wellington Esplanade terraces are Grade II listed.
In the town centre, in Lowestoft’s Cultural Quarter, sits the newly-refurbished 800-seat historic Marina Theatre which has a year-round programme of event and performances.
The historic former Post Office is being turned into a new cultural destination with gallery paces, artist studios and creative workspaces, creative workshops, film, media and digital art screenings, ‘Makers Yard’ for events, and café.
Arts + Culture
First Light Festival
The UK's ONLY FREE beachfront festival taking place on Lowestoft's South Beach across Saturday 20th and Sunday 21st June 2026
Arts + Culture
East Point Pavilion
Enjoy fantastic food, grab a drink and take in the sea views at Lowestoft's latest good times spot.
Outdoors + Adventure
Jet Adventures
Thrilling seal watching and coastal sightseeing boat trips along Norfolk and Suffolk’s Sunrise Coast.
Family Friendly
Pleasurewood Hills
For an award-winning family day in Suffolk, visit Pleasurewood Hills! With over 30 rides, shows, and attractions, including Wipeout – the East of England’s biggest rollercoaster – and family favourites like Egg-Spress and Water Fun Factory.
Arts + Culture
The Marina Theatre
The Marina Theatre is at the cultural heart of the Lowestoft, Waveney and Suffolk community.
Family Friendly
Africa Alive
Suffolk's Wildest Day Out!
Nature + Wildlife
Waveney River Tours & Day Boats
Waveney River Tours have been sailing on the Broads & Rivers in Norfolk and Suffolk since 1970.
Nature + Wildlife
Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve & Visitor Centre
1,000 acres of wilderness in the Broads National Park, with floodplain marsh and lowland fen home to huge numbers of rare and endangered wildlife.
Family Friendly
Kessingland Beach - Parkdean Resorts
If you enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, you'll love Kessingland Beach Holiday Park in Suffolk. A short stroll beyond sand dunes and you'll find your feet sinking into a beautiful beach, directly on the edge of park.
Dog Friendly
Azure Seas Holiday Village
Holiday Homes and Lodges available to buy for ownership
Plan your stay on the Suffolk Coast
All your questions about The Suffolk Coast answered, plus advice on how to plan your trip and things to do.
Read moreFrequently asked questions
- Where is Lowestoft in England?
Lowestoft is on the east coast of England in East Anglia, 38 miles north-east of Ipswich and 22 miles south-east of Norwich.
- Is Lowestoft in Norfolk?
No, Lowestoft is in Suffolk, at its most northerly point, just a few miles from the Norfolk border.
- How far is Lowestoft from London?
Lowestoft is three hours from London and three and a half hours from Birmingham.
- Is Lowestoft a city?
Lowestoft is a seaside town with working harbour.
- Does Lowestoft have a train station?
Lowestoft has a train station by the town centre and just a few minutes’ walk from the seafront. The fastest train journey from London is two hours 25 minutes via Ipswich. The scenic Wherry Line runs from Lowestoft to Norwich.
- Does Lowestoft have a beach?
Lowestoft has a lovely sandy beach backed by a promenade with local independent cafes and restaurants. There are public toilets and showers on the beach. The beach is ideal for swimming, surfing and windsurfing,
The seafront and beach are accessibly-friendly, with free beach wheelchair hire, Changing Places facilities at East Point Pavilion and Jubilee Parade Leisure Complex, beach boardwalk, and easy accessibility to amenities.
New for 2026 is Jubilee Parade on the seafront, a new two-storey restaurant and café destination right next to the shoreline. On the southern edge of the beach, Jubilee Parade has easy access, including a lift and Changing Places facility.
There are also sandy beaches at nearby Pakefield and Kessingland.
- Does Lowestoft have a pier?
Lowestoft has two piers, South Pier and Claremont Pier, both with amusements and refreshments.
- Are there boat trips from Lowestoft?
Enjoy thrilling seal watching and coastal sightseeing boat trips from Lowestoft with Jet Adventures.
- What’s near Lowestoft?
Great Yarmouth with its Golden Mile of rides, attractions and amusements is a few miles away, with the new Herring Bridge making it easier to access from the south. Oulton Broad has boat rides and next to it is Carlton Marshes Nature Reserve, which Sir David Attenborough help fundraise for. Nearby attractions include Pleasurewood Hills and Africa Alive!
- When is Lowestoft First Light Festival?
First Light Festival in Lowestoft is on June 20 and 21.
- When is Lowestoft Pride?
Britain’s most-easterly Pride is in July at the Sparrow’s Nest.
- When is Lowestoft Carnival?
Lowestoft Carnival usually takes place around the second week of August.
- What does Lowestoft mean?
How did Lowestoft get its name? Lowestoft comes from a Norse name, Hlothver, and toft, an Old Norse word for homestead, so Hlothver’ home. It’s recorded as Lothuwistoft village in the Domesday Book of 1086.
- How do you pronounce Lowestoft?
Lower-stoft.
- What is Lowestoft known for?
What is Lowestoft famous for? Surely being the most-easterly point in the British Isles. The exact spot is Ness Point, just north of the harbour.
Signs of a UK settlement from 700,000 years ago have been found in the cliffs at Pakefield, south Lowestoft, some of the earliest in the UK.
From medieval times it became known for fishing and developed a herring industry. Learn more at the Lowestoft Maritime Museum.
Sir Samuel Morton Peto revolutionised the town in the 19th century, building a railway from the harbour to Reedham that connected to Norwich, enabling the seaside tourism and fishing industries to prosper.
Look out for the ‘scores’, narrow lanes with steps running steeply seawards. They now feature in an annual charity race.
- What famous people are from Lowestoft?
2012 London Olympics boxing bronze medallist Anthony Ogogo; composer Benjamin Brittten whose house at Aldeburgh you can visit; The Darkness lead singer and guitarist Justin Hawkins; Winner of the first series of The Voice UK in 2012, Leanne Mitchell; ex-Ipswich and England footballer Terry Butcher; singer-songwriter and television personality Lil' Chris; Office and Green Wing actor Karl Theobald.
Stay In Touch
Sign up for our newsletter for Suffolk holiday ideas, places to stay, seasonal guides and local events. We’ll share inspiration for days out, coastal breaks and countryside escapes, plus occasional highlights worth bookmarking. No spam, just helpful updates when there’s something good to share.
