The Romans built a fort here which has now disappeared into the sea as a result of ongoing erosion along the east coast of England the remains are sometimes seen a low tide. To counter the threat from Napoleon, 103 large brick towers were built along the coast of England - Martello Towers named after a tower in Corsica several are visible approaching Felixstowe by sea. In 1801 only 259 people lived in Felixstowe. The railway opened in 1877 and the town began to grow rapidly as a seaside resort encouraged by the visit of the Empress of Germany Princess Augusta in 1891 by that year the population was 3507. Edward VIII, who later abdicated as King, used to meet Mrs Simpson while she was living here at Beach House, awaiting her divorce in Ipswich in 1936. The town suffered a disaster in 1953 when a flood swamped the lower west end claiming the lives of forty people.
The Port as we know it was founded in 1875 by Colonel George Tomline with the Dock opening in 1886. From 1913 for over 15 years the Port served as a marine aircraft research station, developing over 250 military and civilian seaplanes, one of which The Felixstowe Fury was the largest in the world with a wingspan of 123 feet. Some of the original hangars remain. In WWI the Port served as a Royal Navy destroyer base and flying boat station. In WWII it was a base for motor torpedo boats and air-sea rescue. In the mid 1930s Lawrence of Arabia was stationed with the RAF in the Port. Containers came on-stream in the early 1960s and in 1966 work commenced on the container terminal at Landguard. The Port was taken over by European Ferries Ltd in 1976; in 1987 by P & O and in 1991 by Hutchison Whanpoa Group Hong Kong.
Population 24,450; five minutes by bus/taxi; quiet seaside town; long beach and promenade; shops, pubs and restaurants; close to the Seafarers' Centre are Landguard Fort built in 1744 and site of the last invasion of England by the Dutch in 1667; Felixstowe Museum; a nature reserve and a bird-ringing centre. London around 1 � hours away by train.
Contacts: Tourist Information Centre 01394 276770
Website: http://www.visitfelixstowe.co.uk
Population 117,180; 15 miles away 30 minutes by bus/taxi or by train from Felixstowe Town; market town and port 12 miles upstream on the River Orwell; 2 museums the Ipswich (geology, archaeology, local history, zoology, ethnology) and Christchurch Mansion (art, pottery, porcelain, glass, furniture) both closed Mondays. Anglo-Saxon town with 12 medieval churches. The White Horse Hotel featured in Charles Dickens' novel The Pickwick Papers.
Contacts: Tourist Information Centre 01473 258070
Website: www.visit-ipswich.com
Population 7480; 15 miles away 30 minutes by bus/taxi; small quiet town on the River Deben close to new centre at Sutton Hoo, the famous Anglo-Saxon burial ground. Sailing centre.
Contacts: Tourist Information Centre 01394 382240
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