Near Ipswich Is A Charming Coastal Town With Award-Winning Beaches, Ferry Rides, And Tasty Restaurants

Along the North Sea on England's Suffolk coast, the town of Felixstowe does double duty as a major container shipping port and a seaside tourist destination. This fun beach town is easy to get to; it's about 15 miles and a 30-minute train ride from Ipswich, which in turn is just over an hour by train from London. Felixstowe has the only south-facing beaches in the region, making them the sunniest and typically the mildest on this stretch of coast. Along with enjoying the miles of beaches, you can also explore the area by ferry and enjoy some good food.

Enjoying a day at the beach here has a long history. Felixstowe was primarily a fishing village until the late 19th century. The Empress of Germany visited in 1891, helping establish the town as a beach destination. The beaches are broadly divided between north and south, with the pier as the dividing line. North Beach has more rocks and pebbles and is typically quieter, while South Beach is sandier and livelier. 

South Beach has received a Blue Flag Award seven years in a row, starting in 2019. It has also received the Seaside Award, an honor "presented to the best beaches in England and celebrates the quality and diversity of our coastline." It's particularly popular with families for easy beach entry for swimming. Keep in mind the beaches can get narrower and even disappear at high tide. While you're waiting for the water level to go down, you can always go to the Felixstowe Pier, which has arcade games, miniature bowling, and a couple of restaurants. There's also a Ferris Wheel along South Beach that runs between February and October.

Felixstowe is reportedly the first place where England's popular beach huts were built. They were a modification of Victorian-era bathing machines, which were rolled down to the water to allow swimmers to change in privacy. You can now find colorful beach huts around the country, including plenty in Felixstowe itself. They still make for a handy place to change and to store your stuff without having to resort to TikTok hacks for keeping your valuables safe at the beach. Some of them are even furnished and stocked with games. Beach huts are available to rent on both North and South Beach as well as up on the Brackenbury Cliffs, a scenic and quiet stretch of coast with easy access to a beach. 

You can walk the 1.5-or-so miles up to the Brackenbury Cliffs from the pier largely along the Promenade. On the way, you'll pass Cobbolds Point with panoramic views over the water. It has rows of groins built into the beach. These rocks help prevent flooding and erosion, and they're also quite picturesque.

While just about any type of ice cream is tasty by the seaside, Felixstowe's locally made option is The Little Ice Cream Company. Across from the pier, this locally loved spot has more than 100 flavor choices. It also serves sandwiches and coffee. Another classic British seaside treat is fish and chips, of course. There are several options near the pier, including Fish Dish for takeaway or Gulliver's Wife Cafe, which also serves burgers, salads, and hearty English breakfasts. It's a basic menu, but as one person shared in a review on Google Maps, there's "a lot of places offering similar food but not as good tasting as this cafe."

If you're looking for a good pub for a pint and a meal in Felixstowe, The Grosvenor is a popular spot, rated the No. 1 pub town on Tripadvisor. This cozy, welcoming pub was updated in 2025, and it has indoor and outdoor seating. It's a good place for a traditional Sunday roast of turkey, lamb, or beef with all the sides.

Along with Felixstowe, another fun place along the North Sea coast is Harwich, with beaches, antique shops, and historic military forts. You can get there easily from Felixstowe on The Harbour Ferry. It's a pedestrian- and bike-only ferry that runs between Felixstowe, Harwich, and Shotley. It takes 30 minutes to get from Felixstowe to Shotley and just 15 minutes from Felixstowe to Harwich. One reviewer on Tripadvisor wrote: "What a treat, the sailing was smooth as silk on the way out, slightly choppy on the return, but it was so enjoyable to enjoy the sea breeze in your hair and the sun on your face. The perfect way to travel to Harwich." One important thing to note is that the ferry does not run year-round. It starts service on either April 1 or Easter, whichever is earlier, and it runs through the end of October. Reserve a space early since the boats are small.

If you're coming to Felixstowe from London by train, you leave Liverpool Street Station and change at Ipswich for a total travel time of around two hours — it can take longer to drive up. But if you're going to be exploring the more rural areas around Felixstowe during your trip, travel experts recommend getting a rental car for traveling outside the major cities.