Felixstowe

Every so often one feels the need to get away from it all by taking a well-earned break. The destination for my family holiday this year was Felixstowe, so on Friday 3rd May we set our sights on the East Coast and I prepared for some superb Suffolk exploration. Here's what I got up to...

- Jetty at Felixstowe Ferry -

Saturday 4th May: having settled in and got some bearings on the Friday afternoon, Saturday then involved some wanderings along the coastal path to the small hamlet of Felixstowe Ferry. Here a small boat crosses the River Deben to connect with Bawdsey on the opposite bank, and there are some imposing martello towers keeping watch over the nearby golf course.

- Trimley St Mary -

Sunday 5th May: a glorious sun-filled morning sees me taking a stroll out to the neighbouring villages of Trimley St Mary and Trimley St Martin just as the local parishioners made their way to church. Trimley Station offered me the prospect of some railway photography and I even had a ferret around the container port on my way back into town.

- Vintage Bus on the Prom -

Sunday 5th May continued: the afternoon brought with it an unexpected bonus when we heard that a vintage vehicle rally was taking place on Felixstowe Promenade. The collections from Ipswich Transport Museum were out in resplendent force with the highlight being a procession of classic cars along the seafront. The crowds lapped up the displays and the weather with considerable enthusiasm.

- Gun Station on Landguard Peninsula -

Monday 6th May: what's this, a sunny Bank Holiday Monday, surely not?! In truth you could not have wished for better weather, and the packed crowds along the promenade indicated that Felixstowe was certainly a popular place to be on such an occasion. We made our way to the quieter surroundings of the Landguard Peninsula where the ominous Landguard Fort complex dominates a landscape dotted with military and defensive remains.

- Sir Bobby Robson -

Tuesday 7th May: perhaps my favourite day of the entire holiday came as we took the train to Suffolk's county town, Ipswich. It was fascinating to investigate Portman Road football stadium (home of Ipswich Town FC) and the regenerated waterfront area with its sparkling marina. The afternoon saw us sampling a couple of Ipswich's finest pubs, notably the Dove Street Inn (where some green beer made an appearance) and the wonderful Fat Cat.

- Abbey Ruins -

Wednesday 8th May: another day of exquisite exploration, this time centering on Bury St Edmunds. After a mooch around the railway station I revelled in taking photographs of the beautiful Abbey Gardens, clambering over the ruins and admiring the spectacular floral displays. The town is full of charm and character, particularly on a busy market day, and other points of interest include the Nutshell (reputedly the smallest pub in the country) and the Greene King Brewery.

- Felixstowe Pier -

Thursday 9th May: our last full day spent in Suffolk is a relaxing one just staying in and around Felixstowe. The seafront breezes give us a buffeting during a return walk to Felixstowe Ferry, and there's a chance to round off my photos of the main town with shots of the Pier and pubs such as the Buregate - not forgetting dodging the seagulls whilst indulging in some seaside fish and chips. All in all it was a wonderfully memorable holiday in the best spirit of the Suffolk seaside tradition.