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Felixstowe Ferry
Where to eat, where to park and what to do at Felixstowe Ferry, the historic hamlet on the River Deben in Old Felixstowe, Suffolk.
A historic corner of the Suffolk coast
Felixstowe Ferry is a small, historic hamlet at the northern tip of Felixstowe, where the River Deben meets the Suffolk coast. Tucked into Old Felixstowe, it's a genuinely working corner of the estuary, with a boatyard, a sailing club, a links golf course, Martello towers and a quiet shingle beach, a world away from the busy town seafront.
At the heart of it, right on the water, sits The Ferry Cafe, feeding sailors, walkers, golfers, families and day trippers at Felixstowe Ferry since 1953.
Where to eat at Felixstowe Ferry
If you're looking for somewhere to eat at Felixstowe Ferry, The Ferry Cafe is the place. We serve hand-battered fish & chips from midday, a cooked breakfast until midday, brunch, artisan baker's rolls, homemade cakes and barista coffee, all with views over the River Deben estuary.
Eat in our retro 1950s diner, settle in on the dog-friendly terrace, or take your fish & chips down to the shingle. We're a fully licensed, family-friendly cafe, open Wednesday to Sunday.
Getting to Felixstowe Ferry & parking
🚗 By car
Follow Ferry Road through Old Felixstowe to the very end. Parking is right beside the cafe (charges may apply), with public toilets opposite. Postcode IP11 9RZ.
🚶 On foot & by bike
Walk or cycle the coastal path and sea wall from Felixstowe seafront and Old Felixstowe, right to the ferry and the cafe door.
🚣 By foot ferry
A seasonal foot ferry crosses the River Deben from Bawdsey Quay to Felixstowe Ferry, running roughly spring to autumn.
Things to do at Felixstowe Ferry
Make a day of it on this quiet stretch of the Suffolk coast.
Shingle beach & coastal walks
A quiet shingle beach and miles of walking along the sea wall and River Deben, with the coast path running back to Felixstowe seafront.
Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club
A busy little estuary for sailing, dinghies and dayboats, with the sailing club and boatyard right beside the cafe.
Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club
Championship links golf on the doorstep, laid out along the coast and the mouth of the Deben.
Foot ferry to Bawdsey
A seasonal foot ferry crosses the Deben to Bawdsey Quay for walks on the Bawdsey side (spring to autumn, check current times).
Martello towers & history
Napoleonic Martello towers and a genuinely old, working corner of the Suffolk coast to explore.
Crabbing & birdlife
Crabbing off the jetty and wading birds across the Deben marshes make it a favourite with families and nature lovers.
On the River Deben, Old Felixstowe
Felixstowe Ferry sits within the Suffolk Coast & Heaths landscape, at the mouth of one of the county's most beautiful estuaries. On a bright day you'll watch yachts and dayboats tacking up the River Deben against a backdrop of marshland and open Suffolk sky. It's a favourite for coastal and riverside walks, wildlife, and a proper seaside meal away from the crowds.
The wider town of Felixstowe, with its promenade, pier and gardens, is a short drive south, so the ferry makes a peaceful base for a day exploring the Suffolk coast.
Felixstowe Ferry FAQs
- Where is Felixstowe Ferry?
- Felixstowe Ferry is a small historic hamlet at the northern end of Felixstowe, where the River Deben meets the Suffolk coast, in the Old Felixstowe area. The postcode is IP11 9RZ.
- Is there a cafe at Felixstowe Ferry?
- Yes. The Ferry Cafe has served Felixstowe Ferry since 1953, with hand-battered fish & chips, cooked breakfasts, brunch, homemade cakes and barista coffee, plus a dog-friendly terrace overlooking the River Deben. Open Wednesday to Sunday.
- Is there parking at Felixstowe Ferry?
- Yes, there is parking directly beside The Ferry Cafe at Felixstowe Ferry (charges may apply), with public toilets opposite. Follow Ferry Road through Old Felixstowe to the end.
- Can you get a ferry from Felixstowe to Bawdsey?
- Yes. A seasonal foot ferry crosses the River Deben between Felixstowe Ferry and Bawdsey Quay, running roughly from spring to autumn. Check the current timetable before you travel.
- What is there to do at Felixstowe Ferry?
- Beach and coastal walks, sailing, links golf, crabbing, birdwatching across the Deben marshes, the seasonal foot ferry to Bawdsey, and a proper meal or fish & chips at The Ferry Cafe.
Eat at Felixstowe Ferry
The Ferry Cafe, Felixstowe Ferry, Suffolk IP11 9RZ. Open Wednesday to Sunday, right on the water.