_Why Felixstowe is the place to be

At the southern-most point of Suffolk, the charming seaside town of Felixstowe has been overlooked in the past… but it’s gaining more and more fans.

Known for being the biggest container port in the UK, and one of the largest in Europe, it’s the destination for those HGVs you see streaming along the A14 to the coast.

Where is Felixstowe

Felixstowe is sandwiched between the gaudy ‘kiss me quick’ delights of Clacton and Southend-on-Sea to the south in Essex and the more genteel and restrained seaside towns of Aldeburgh and Southwold to the north.

Felixstowe is a lovely halfway house between the two.

What's there to do in Felixstowe

The traditional Victorian seafront has a lovely promenade backed by lavish and well-tended subtropical gardens that edge a long and sandy beach, with Edwardian hotels and B&Bs and the pleasant town perched on the cliff above.

Completed in 1905, Felixstowe was once one of the longest piers in the country with its own electric tramway running to the end and was the stopping point for the ‘Belle’ paddle steamers which operated between London and Great Yarmouth.

The majority of Felixstowe Pier was purposely demolished after the Second World War but there’s enough there to enjoy including amusements, rides and café.

Places to head for on the seafront include The Alex, the buzziest place in the town, with downstairs café and upstairs brasserie serving oysters, steaks and lots of seafood and shellfish. Enjoy the view from the sea-facing outside terrace.

Nearby is Fish Dish serving superb fish and chips but also fish dishes such as charcoal-grilled sea bass and sea bream, fish pie and salt and pepper squid.

On the Undercliff Road opposite the leisure centre, the Little Ice Cream Co does exactly what it says on the tin.

Housed in a colourful shipping container complex with a wonderful range of small independent and artisan businesses is Beach Street. An exciting place to eat, drink and shop on Felixstowe seafront, take your pick from New York style pizzas, waffles and crepes, Vietnamese street food, vegan food at Hank’s Dirty, a great range of craft ales at Hopsters and smoked food at The View Smoke House. Why not stay at The Fludyers.

Spa Pavilion hosts shows and performances throughout the year.

Don’t miss the riverside village of Felixstowe Ferry where there are some nice pubs and eateries and from where you can take a foot ferry across the river Deben to Bawdsey.

And should container ferries be your thing, head to the port to see if there’s one around under the giant dockside cranes. They are mahoosive! While you’re here visit the Felixstowe Museum in Landguard Fort and Languard Nature Reserve or have a have a cup of tea at the View Point Café while observing the harbour traffic where the rivers Stour and Orwell conjoin and head out to sea. Why not enjoy a harbour ferry ride.