Focus on Felixstowe – discover more about this historic coastal town
Felixstowe is a historic seaside town with four miles of award-winning beautiful beaches and attractive seafront gardens to explore. Having opened our eleventh branch here in 2021, we focus on what makes Felixstowe such a fantastic place to live.
Steeped in history, Felixstowe is home to one of England’s best-preserved coastal sea defences, an 18th Century fort on Landguard Peninsula. The first structure was constructed by Henry VIII in 1543 to protect the entrance to the River Orwell and River Stour and disarmed and closed in 1956; it is now open under the guardianship of English Heritage. Felixstowe Museum is housed in the neighbouring 1878-built Submarine Mining Establishment, the collection brings alive the military and social history of the town.
At low tide, a Saxon shore fort, though to have been constructed around 285 AD, can be glimpsed from The Dip on Cliff Road and the village of Walton, and was even mentioned in the Domesday Book. Felixstowe’s stunning coastline also boasts four Martello Towers which were built between 1805 and 1812 to repel Napoleonic invasion, two of which have been converted into houses – although sadly they rarely come to the market.
At the northern end of the town is the charming hamlet of Felixstowe Ferry. From here, you can take a walk along the banks of the River Deben, hop on the foot ferry to Bawdsey, pick up some fresh fish for supper, or join in the activities at Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club. Alternatively, the Ferry Boat Inn is a lovely traditional pub where you can enjoy a great pint and a roaring fire during these colder months.
Felixstowe has a wide variety of restaurants, bars and cafes in the town centre and dotted along the promenade. The Fludyers is an established hotel and restaurant, just yards from the beach, whilst The Alex Cafe Bar offers a good all-day menu and is popular with locals. The Boardwalk is a favourite destination for food and drink with a view, and Beach Street is a unique dining and shopping hot-spot with eateries, artisan products and independent boutiques.
Over recent years, Felixstowe has received millions of pounds of investment which has seen the resort grow in popularity. From the renovation of Felixstowe’s award-winning seafront gardens, the creation of a new beachside park, reopening of the Spa Pavilion and the refurbished pier, there has been some serious investment in the town.
The town’s property market has also seen significant investment with a number of luxury apartments being developed along the seafront, and magnificent houses built to make the most of the stunning sea views. Felixstowe still offers excellent value for money with the average house price over the last year being £322,127, and terraced properties fetching around £240,000, according to Rightmove. The neighbouring villages of Kirton and the Trimley’s are popular with those looking for a countryside setting, yet with amenities nearby.