When the Suffragettes Came to Felixstowe: A Fiery Protest That Shook the Seaside

Felixstowe Before the Firestorm

In the early 1900s, Felixstowe was known as one of England’s most fashionable seaside resorts. Wealthy holidaymakers flocked to the Suffolk coast, strolling along the elegant promenade, dining in grand hotels, and enjoying the fresh sea air.

Among these establishments stood the Bath Hotel, a jewel of Victorian luxury. Built in 1839, it was celebrated for its fine service and illustrious guests. The hotel’s visitors’ book—today preserved at the Felixstowe Museum—bears the signatures of politicians, actors, academics, and decorated military veterans, alongside charming watercolour sketches and ink drawings.

The Bath Hotel Felixstowe.
The Bath Hotel as it was before the Suffragette “Outrage”.

The Suffragette Movement: A Nation Divided

Just before the outbreak of the First World War, Britain was embroiled in another battle: the fight for women’s right to vote.

  • Suffragists campaigned peacefully through petitions and rallies.
  • Suffragettes, frustrated by slow progress, adopted more radical tactics—window-smashing, arson, and dramatic protests designed to command public attention.

These “outrages,” as newspapers called them, were controversial but impossible to ignore. Supporters hailed them as courageous acts of resistance, while critics condemned them as reckless and destructive.

April 28th, 1914: Flames at the Bath Hotel

On a crisp April morning, two determined women—Evaline Burkitt and Hilda Tunks—arrived in Felixstowe fresh from a protest in Great Yarmouth. Their target? The Bath Hotel, a powerful symbol of wealth, privilege, and the establishment.

At dawn, the hotel erupted in flames. Townspeople and holidaymakers gathered in shock as smoke billowed into the seaside air. Luckily, the hotel was undergoing renovations, and no guests were staying inside. Still, the fire was fierce enough to leave behind two charred silver mugs, now displayed at the Museum as silent witnesses to the suffragettes’ defiance.

The Bath Hotel after the fire.
The Hotel immediately after the fire.

Clues in the Ashes

Near the scene, police discovered luggage labels tied to a tree—handwritten pledges of support for women’s suffrage. These notes, combined with eyewitness accounts, quickly led to the arrest of Burkitt and Tunks.

When brought to the Felixstowe Police Station, the atmosphere was electric. A furious crowd mobbed the women as they arrived, outraged that such destruction had been brought to their peaceful town. Yet, photographs from the time also reveal their resilience: standing in the dock, they appeared defiant, unbowed, and unapologetic.

Trial, Sentencing, and Release

Burkitt was sentenced to twenty-four months, and Tunks received nine months. But they would not serve their full terms. With the outbreak of the First World War just months later, the government made a sweeping decision: all Suffragette prisoners were released.

Ironically, the war that silenced militant protests also became the turning point in the movement. Women took on vital roles—working in factories, hospitals, and farms—demonstrating their capability and resilience. By 1918, British women over 30 had won the right to vote, followed by full suffrage in 1928.

Legacy of the Felixstowe Outrage

The fire at the Bath Hotel was one of the last militant Suffragette actions before the war. For Felixstowe, it was a day of shock and scandal. For the wider movement, it was another spark in the long campaign for equality.

Today, visitors to Felixstowe Museum can still see remnants of that morning—the charred mugs, the visitors’ book, and photographs capturing the drama of April 1914. These artifacts remind us that progress is often born from struggle, and that the courage of women like Burkitt and Tunks helped shape the freedoms we enjoy today.

A couple of tea cups that survived the fire, currently on display in Felixstowe Museum.

Conclusion

The story of the Suffragettes in Felixstowe is more than a tale of fire and fury. It’s a reminder of a relentless fight for justice, waged not just in Parliament or the streets of London, but in seaside towns across Britain.

The Bath Hotel may have been reduced to ashes, but the flames kindled that morning helped ignite lasting change.

Step into history at Felixstowe Museum! Discover the dramatic Suffragette story, see original artifacts, and explore the town’s rich heritage. A must-visit for history lovers and curious minds alike.