Landguard Point is a historic and scenic headland at the southern tip of Suffolk, England, featuring a fort, nature reserve, and coastal walking. Apparently it is the southernmost point of Suffolk, immediately south of the Port of Felixstowe, and faces Harwich to the west and the reason there is a short passenger ferry crossing from the Fort coastline. But, in big news, Landguard Fort was not the reason for our visit.
No, this was a (very) long overdue visit to Felixstowe museum , which we have passed every time we’ve been to the fort but have never deigned with our presence. It is located in the UK’s only surviving purpose-built Submarine Mining Establishment, which is part of the Landguard Fort infrastructure. The ‘Ravelin Block’ was completed by the Royal Engineers in 1878. Mines were electrically connected, tested and stored here, but this was just part of a much bigger site. They were transported on a narrow gauge trolley way. Original rails which led out to the riverside mining jetty are on view as well as traces of another trolley way along the Museum corridor.
The Museum itself has 14 Exhibition Rooms and in each you will find a range of Felixstowe’s stories from its humble beginnings, importance in protecting the estuary to the emergence of the town as Britain’s main port. There are social history and military displays to suit all interests, seasonal children’s activities and the Beehive Café (which we visited for much needed refreshments after the saunter through all the rooms). We thought it was excellent and said as much in our exit questionnaire with the lovely volunteers.
Prior to entering the museum we also took the opportunity to grab a coffee at the View Point café. Owned by the Yeo Group, which runs our town favourite Café Bencotto, it is situated on the Landguard Peninsular – it can’t be denied that there can’t be many locations worldwide where you can get such a close up view of the world’s largest vessels manoeuvring in and out of port, assisted by the small but mighty tug boats, before watching them be unloaded by the giant quayside cranes.
We will definitely return to both, especially as we bought a combination museum / fort ticket that lasts for a full year. There can therefore be no excuse and the sight of excellent fish & chips in the café has no bearing on the matter!!