Landguard Visitor Centre and Ferry

Located between Landguard Fort and the Port of Felixstowe is the John Bradfield Viewing Area – voted one of the top 50 things to do in Suffolk.

From here you can enjoy stunning views across the estuary to the Shotley Peninsula and the towns of Harwich and Dovercourt (both in Essex). If the weather is really clear you can even see the off-shore wind turbines beyond The Naze. Though the scenery is beautiful it is not what most visitors are here to see, they come to watch the hustle and bustle of the Port of Felixstowe and the vast container ships that come into the harbour following the natural deep water channel to berth up at the docks.

The Port of Felixstowe is Britain’s busiest container port and one of the largest in Europe. The port handles more than 4 million TEUs (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units) and welcomes approximately 3,000 ships each year, including the largest container vessels afloat today – crucially, the port provides some of the deepest water close to the open sea of any European port. Around 17 shipping lines operate from Felixstowe, offering 33 services to and from over 700 ports around the world. Together with its unrivalled rail and road links connecting the port to distribution hubs in the Midlands and elsewhere in the UK, Felixstowe plays a pivotal role in keeping the UK’s trade moving, and delivers real benefits to customers, the community and the industry.

The Landguard Visitor Centre and View Point Cafe is a warm and friendly building with fun hands-on displays, videos and exhibits on the attractions of the Peninsula, public toilets and a 60 seater cafe (with both indoor and outdoor seating) serving all day breakfasts, snacks, fresh fish and chips, salads, cakes, ice cream, teas and coffees. For further information on the View Point Cafe, please call 01394 675892 or email julie@yeogroup.co.uk

The Harwich Harbour Foot and Bicycle Ferry runs from the John Bradfield Viewing Area at Felixstowe to Harwich and Shotley. It is the only public ferry service connecting Suffolk and Essex. 2022: operates from the 1st April 2022 – 31st October 2022. Please visit the website for full timings and fares. It is advisable to buy tickets online in advance, or first come first served on board. The ferry will only operate in safe weather – 01728 666329.