The beach is wide and sandy (Image: need)
The coastal town of Felixstowe in Suffolk is one of my favourite places to visit. With its wide sandy beaches, colourful beach huts and timeless seaside charm, it’s perfect for leisurely walks with a touch of nostalgia.
A classic British seaside destination, sunny days bring long queues at the chippies and a steady stream of visitors along the pier. But the quiet town with it’s container port and historic Spa Pavillion has a trendy trick up its sleeve.
Taking inspiration from East London, there is another corner of the town where visitors can drink craft ales, eat street food, and dance to DJ sets that ‘feel like being abroad.’ Tucked away at the end of the seafront is Beach Street – a relatively new recent addition to the town, brimming with eccentric shops, bars and eateries.
Beach Street in Felixstowe has shops, food and bars (Image: Instagram/Beach Street)
My favourite place to visit, Beach Street is created from the Port of Felixstowe’s very own upcycled shipping containers, transformed into independent boutiques, street-food eateries, cafes, bars and more. Inspired by the ‘boxpark’ trend in London, it’s a great place to stop for a bite to eat or stay all day and listen to live DJ’s play as the sun goes down.
I love the pizza place that sells giant slices packed full of toppings, as well as the Hospters Bar with its craft ales, laid back vibes and covered seating and summer DJ sets. Elsewhere, Felixstowe Pier offers captivating views of the sea, while The Boardwalk Bar and Cafe provides food and beverages on its terrace.
If you plan to visit during the summer, there are live music evenings and candlelit decking, conjuring up a Mediterranean nightclub vibe on the Suffolk coast. The pebble and sand beaches are perfect for a leisurely stroll and I can often be found by the water’s edge, enjoying the feel of the gentle waves crashing against the shore.
The Boardwalk cafe bar on Felixstowe Pier (Image: Getty Images)
On balmy days, I’ve even been known to indulge in a swim, bobbing about in the water while admiring the views of the Victorian promenade. It’s also worth noting that Felixstowe (Felixstowe South and Pier) beaches have received Blue Flag and Seaside Awards, signifying excellent water quality and environmental management.
The more traditional side of Felixstowe offers a delightful mix of sea views and historic sites. The town’s seafront promenade, lined with its iconic beach huts and offering expansive views out across of the North Sea, many of which can be hired for the day, perfect for cold drinks and refreshments out of the sun.
Then there is the meticulously kept Seafront Gardens, a visual delight with flowerbeds, fountains and seating areas. Nearby, the Landguard Nature Reserve presents peaceful walking trails through nature, ideal for birdwatching and taking in more of those glorious coastal views.
Nestled away on England’s eastern shore, the surrounding landscape is shaped by estuaries, mudflats, salt marshes and shingle beaches. A short hop over the border into Essex, Walton-on-the-Naze is another good spot for a traditional seaside day with amusements and a pier, while Dovercourt Bay is perfect for those seeking a quieter, scenic spot with clean water and space to relax.
Dotted around the town and further out into the Suffolk countryside there are lots of places to stay. Cowpasture Cottage, for example, is a former farmhouse that exudes rustic charm just two miles from the coastline.
Stay in a traditional Suffolk farmhouse a short drive from the beach (Image: Holiday Cottages )
Elsewhere, the pretty Victorian terrace house known as Sea Salt is just a stone’s throw from the sandy shores of Felixstowe beach where you can watch boats sailing by.
Saxon Lodge Cottage is a family-friendly holiday home packed full of modern comforts, while Rose Cottage has been called “A lovely cottage with a beautiful garden,” just a few miles away in the village of Trimley St Martin.
For visitors who prefer a more traditional stay, The Orwell Hotel is ideally placed for the town centre and sea front. A little tired in places, the three-star hotel is a still a popular play to stay, with guests calling it “comfortable” and “friendly.”
Felixstowe is also known for its pastel coloured beach huts (Image: Getty Images)
It’s not just me that’s likes a trip to Felixstowe, especially Beach Street with the unusual attraction acheiving a 4.8 out of five-star rating on TripAdvisor. One visitor said: “Fantastic place. Incredible day out! Something to do for all the family, and food and drink is super yummy!!! Would recommend to everyone!”
Another added: “Outdoor holiday vibes on out doorstep. We visited here for the first time this evening with friends. It was great. The atmosphere was really good, everyone really friendly. We ate food and drank beer.”
A third called the area “a super cool addition to Felixstowe,” describing it as “a container park by the sea with bars, restaurants a variety of shops from vintage to surfer vibe. The music was blasting out it had a real holiday atmosphere.”
Not all visitors were quite so impressed with the laid back atmosphere, as one review said: “Chefs doubling up as singers while waitresses struggling, it was just a little chaotic food took at least 30mins to come out separately and then we were forgotten about.”
Overall, most visitors leave nothing but praise. Another five-star review said: “If you have a drink at Hopsters on. Saturday night, with the DJ playing, you could be abroad, it has the holiday vibe.”