Beautiful little UK seaside town full of charm and £20 budget hotel rooms
Felixstowe isn't just another British seaside town, it's a quintessential living postcard located on the Suffolk coastline and it's an affordable staycation option
With its unique south-facing shorelines boasting beautiful panoramic views of the North Sea, Felixstowe offers a different perspective of the East Anglian coastline than any other seaside town in the region.
Combining the nostalgia of Edwardian beach holidays with a fresh, rejuvenated spirit, its charm is rooted in the exclusive blend of history, scenery and accessibility, making it a destination where tradition, natural beauty and affordability converge — the beaches and sea air are clean, the attractions and amusements timeless, while the average hotel stay won't break the bank.
Nestled between the rivers Orwell and Deben, this Suffolk seaside town offers more than just a place to lay your towel. Visitors can stroll the elegant promenade lined with beautiful pre- WW1 architecture, explore the award-winning Seafront Gardens, or dive into the town's rich maritime past at Landguard Fort and Felixstowe Museum.
The town pulses with family-friendly spots, from the iconic Felixstowe Pier, which was renovated in 2017 and is packed with arcades and cafes, to the bustling Ocean Boulevard and Martello Park, boasting 11-acres of parkland and featuring one of the Martello Towers — a series of eight defensive structures built between 1805 and 1812 to protect the area from French invasion during the Napoleonic Wars — and amenities including car parks, cycle paths and play areas, as well as formal and informal gardens, all with a convenient ramp providing access to the beach.
For those seeking tranquility, the Landguard Nature Reserve and the quiet banks of Felixstowe Ferry — a nautical village approximately three miles from Felixstowe Pier — provide a peaceful counterpoint to the buzz of the seaside. At low tide visitors can head to The Dip, where emerging from the depths you might be lucky enough see the remains of the Roman Saxon Shore Fort, now called Walton Castle, which was built around AD 276-285 and lost to the sea in the 1700s. The most historic part of town is located near the Church of St Peter and St Paul in Old Felixstowe, where a former Benedictine priory once stood, which was founded in 1105 and dedicated to St Felix.
What are Felixstowe's beaches like?
Felixstowe boasts a four-mile stretch of sand and shingle beaches, divided into the family-friendly South Beach and more secluded and rural North Beach, both of which are backed by a wide and accessible promenade, making them suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Public toilets, baby changing and disabled facilities are all conveniently located along the seafront, and the beaches have earned Blue Flag and Seaside Awards for their cleanliness and amenities.
The South Beach, located to the south of the pier, is the sandier of the two, making it the ideal hub for classic seaside fun including amusements, ice cream kiosks and brightly colouredl beach huts. At low tide, broad sandy areas perfect for sandcastles are revealed by the retreating North Sea.
The North Beach, unsurprisingly found to the north of the pier, is mainly pebbles and shingle. It is the quieter of the two beaches, offering a more peaceful and tranquil experience. Backed by the Seafront Gardens, it is an idyllic environment for taking leisurely strolls and enjoying scenic sea views.
How much is an average stay in a Felixstowe hotel?
One of Felixstowe's standout features is its affordability. The average hotel price per night in Felixstowe is around £73-£75 on weekends, with rates dropping as low as £41 during the off-season. Budget options can be found for as little as £20 per night, making it accessible for a wide range of holidaymakers. The most expensive months, such as August, see prices rise to around £83 per night, but even then Felixstowe remains competitive compared to other UK seaside resorts.
It consistently undercuts many other popular UK beach destinations, with places like Brighton, Bournemouth or St Ives often seeing average hotel prices well above £100 per night during peak season, but Felixstowe's rates generally stay below this threshold, even in the peak summer months.
The town's combination of budget accommodation, free and low-cost attractions, as well as its affordable dining options all means visitors can enjoy a classic British seaside escape without the premium price tag.
Felixstowe is a rare gem — a British beach town where tradition thrives, the beaches clean and your wallet gets a much-needed break too. Whether you're drawn to the award-winning nature, lively pier, or just the simple pleasure of fish and chips on the promenade, Felixstowe delivers a truly special and surprisingly affordable seaside experience.
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