FAQs
Frequently asked questions about visiting Landguard Point in Felixstowe, Suffolk
At Landguard Point in Felixstowe, our team of staff and volunteers very much want you have the most positive experience of the broad spectrum of attractions, facilities, built and natural heritage, landscapes and wildlife habitats shared in this one unique destination. We work hard to encourage all our visitors not just to enjoy all that Landguard is, but to understand its delicate and sometimes more difficult to manage balances.
When planning any visit whether for a day out with the family, a gentle walk or visit to an attraction, there is always ‘nice to know’ as well as ‘need to know’ information. We hope that you will find our FAQs useful. If you are unable to find the answer you are looking for here, or in our opening times, accessibility or how to get here pages, please get in touch by phone or email and we will be pleased to help.
General FAQs
Visiting Landguard Point
Yes, as a destination, but charges are made for entry to our built heritage attractions.
Landguard Point covers an extensive site including a nature reserve and beach, plus a viewing area for the port and harbour which are free to visit.
Landguard Fort and the Felixstowe Museum – do charge for entry, but great value joint tickets are available.
All this and so much more…!
- Big ships – container vessels loading at the Port of Felixstowe.
- Boats and sailboats on the Stour and Orwell estuaries.
- Grade 1 listed Landguard Fort
- Felixstowe Museum – collections and stories of all things Felixstowe, located in the UK’s only surviving Victorian submarine mining establishment
- Landguard Nature Reserve – hectares of rare vegetated shingle, beach, heath and more with a rich history and remains of wartime built heritage
- Flora and fauna
- Migrating and nesting birds
- Wildlife
Landguard Point is open as a destination all year round, however some of its attractions have seasonal opening.
Open all year
- John Bradfield Viewing Area
- The View Point Café
- Landguard Nature Reserve & Beach
Please note, some small areas are cordoned off at certain times to protect nesting birds.
Seasonal Opening (April – End Oct)
- Landguard Fort
- Felixstowe Museum & The Beehive Café
Yes – Landguard is accessible by bus, from Felixstowe and local train stations.
Year-round public toilet facilities at Landguard are located at The View Point Visitor Centre / Café at the John Bradfield Viewing Area and at the north end of Landguard Nature Reserve in the public car park at Manor Terrace.
There are easy going trails on Landguard Nature Reserve, cafés and attractions which are accessible at Landguard Point Felixstowe.
There is so much to see and experience at Landguard all year round, and in some ways it really depends on your interests and whether you are looking to spend time outdoors, inside- or a bit of both!
Both of our built heritage attractions – Landguard Fort and Felixstowe Museum – are open through the main season, making Landguard even more special during late spring, summer and early autumn.
Migrating birds are a big draw throughout the autumn and winter periods.
You can visit a dedicated website to find out what the ships are that you can see on the Orwell estuary at the Haven. It reveals when ships are arriving or departing and where they are heading.
Our Landguard Point Viewing Area/ View Point page includes all the links and information for shipwatching, live stream cameras around the Haven and so much more.
The Landguard Trust (full name: The Landguard and Felixstowe Conservation Trust) is a registered charity working to manage much of the Landguard Peninsula and promote the conservation, protection and improvement of the physical and natural environment for the benefit of the public.
The Landguard Trust manages the Nature Reserve, works with the other charities and volunteer groups at Landguard and liaises without side bodies such as East Suffolk Council, Natural England and English Heritage.
Conservation and learning are key objectives for the Trust, as well as continuing Landguard’s development as a visitor destination and community volunteering hub.
The Landguard and Felixstowe Conservation Trust
Registered charity (1198844)
Thank you for enjoying Landguard responsibly
FAQs – The View Point, The Haven, Harbour Ferry
The John Bradfield Viewing Area is located at the end of View Point Road. It is home to The View Point Café visitor centre and toilets. The Harwich Harbour Ferry departs from the beach here, serving Harwich and Shotley.
The Harwich Harbour Foot & Bicycle Ferry crosses the River Orwell from Landguard Felixstowe to Shotley in Suffolk and Harwich in Essex.
The foot ferry arrives close to the John Bradfield Viewing Area.
There is no dedicated jetty – the ferry has its own passenger linkspan walkway which it lowers directly on to the river beach.
There is an area of nature reserve river beach in front of the John Bradfield Viewing Area which stretches seaward, punctuated by groynes.
As this river-side beach area is part of the Landguard Nature Reserve, please be sure to enjoy it responsibly.
There is dedicated website to find out more about the ships you can see coming in and out of the Haven along the Orwell estuary. It will also reveal where they are heading!
Check out the Landguard Point Viewing Area/ View Point page for all the links and information for shipwatching, live stream cameras around the Haven and so much more.
Thank you for enjoying Landguard Responsibly
FAQs – Landguard Nature Reserve
The Landguard Nature Reserve stretches from Manor Terrace in Felixstowe to the tip of Landguard Point. It encompasses a wide range of fragile natural habitats and is a designated SSI. The Nature Reserve includes the beach which includes an internationally rare area of vegetated shingle.
No, the general public have free access to Landguard Nature Reserve.
At certain times of the year, some areas are cordoned off to prevent any disturbance to ground nesting birds along the shingle beach. Areas around ponds and the location of fragile plant species may also be protected with fencing .
Visitors are asked to enjoy their time on reserve responsibly and there are specific restrictions concerning dogs to safeguard species and habitats around the site. These are clearly indicated at entry points to the reserve.
The team from the Bird Observatory based on the Landguard Reserve and the Reserve Ranger put daily sighting updates on the blackboard / notice board by the reserve entrance near the fort.
The Bird Observatory website and blog and Landguard Nature Reserve Rangers Blog are also great places to get into insights into and details of both visiting and resident species.
The Landguard Peninsula is shingle spit that has built up over centuries due to tidal action. Today it contains a vegetated shingle habitat that is extremely rare worldwide. It has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest to protect it. Also it is an important stopover site for ground nesting birds and migrating birds.
The Bird Observatory is part of a group of observatories located around the coastline of Great Britain. Their primary purpose is to conduct long term monitoring of bird populations and migration. An integral part of the observatory is bird ringing.
The structures you can see are the remains of WWII defences. Searchlight buildings, bunkers and the strange looking minefield station. The peninsula has been used by the military for centuries and contains a lot of military archaeology. As such it is also designated as a Scheduled Monument.
It is open daily, all year round.
The tower is the Harwich Haven Authority’s radar tower which helps control all the ships and other vessels that use the very busy Haven.
Because this is an important natural habitat for so many species of flora and fauna, but it is a very fragile environment. Wildlife needs space to survive and so we ask that you share responsibly this special place and obey the signs displayed at the entrances and around the site.
Yes, you can bring your dog but please read and follow the signs.
Your dog must be under control at all times.
There are certain areas where dogs are sometimes prohibited, or where they must be on a lead. You must always pick up your dog’s waste and dispose of it in one of the bins around the site.
No, flying a kite at Landguard is not permitted.
Many Nature Reserves have specific regulations to ensure the protection of their unique environments. Restricting kites is often part of these regulations to maintain the integrity of the Reserve.
No, metal detecting onsite is not permitted. Landguard Nature Reserve is not Crown Land and has no common rights.
There are many reasons why metal detecting on a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) can be harmful.
No, flying drones is not permitted at Landguard Nature Reserve for several reasons.
No, camping at Landguard Nature Reserve is not permitted, to protect the natural environment and wildlife.
No, motorised vehicles are not permitted on Landguard Nature Reserve.
No, walking through the post and rope cordons is not permitted.
Post and rope cordons are used in bird nesting areas to create physical barriers that help protect nesting birds and their habitats from human disturbance and potential threats.
The purpose of the post and rope cordons are to:
- Minimise Disturbance: They help keep people and pets at a distance, reducing the chances of disturbing nesting birds.
- Prevent Accidental Harm: By keeping visitors away from sensitive areas, these cordons help prevent accidental trampling or damage to nests and eggs.
No, Landguard Nature Reserve, is not considered common land.
Landguard has a long history of military ownership and is now a designated Local Nature Reserve (LNR) a Scheduled Monument (SM) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), it was never registered as common land and does not have commoners’ right
No, fires are not permitted on Landguard Nature Reserve.
No, collecting flowers from the Nature Reserve is not permitted.
Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) are abundant on the Nature Reserve and their grazing habits form an essential part of the sites management.
A Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) is a tool introduced under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 in the UK. It allows local authorities to address specific anti-social behaviours in designated public spaces. The aim is to ensure that public spaces can be enjoyed without interference from such behaviours.
The Landguard Nature Reserve PSPO restricts the following activities:
Littering, dog fouling, dog walking and control, angling, public drinking, kite flying, use of metal detectors, digging, camping, flying drones, fires, motorised vehicles, disturbing wildlife, picking flowers and using firearms.
These measures are in place to protect the unique mosaic of habitats and the species that call Landguard Nature Reserve home. The PSPO ensures that everyone can enjoy the reserve while minimising their impact on the environment.
Suffolk County Council also implements byelaws that restrict certain activities at Landguard Nature Reserve. These byelaws are established under the authority of Sections 20, 21(4), and 106 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, in accordance with Section 236 of the Local Government Act 1972.
Suffolk County Council has implemented byelaws that restrict certain activities at Landguard Nature Reserve. These byelaws are established under the authority of Sections 20, 21(4), and 106 of the National Parks and Access to the Countryside Act 1949, in accordance with Section 236 of the Local Government Act 1972.
These prohibited activities include:
- Damage and Defacement: No soiling, defiling, climbing, or displacing barriers, walls, fences, or other structures.
- Advertisements: No affixing advertisements or notices.
- Fires: No lighting fires
- Vehicles: No driving vehicles
- Camping: No camping
- Firearms: No firearms
- Dogs and Animals: Dogs must be under control; no disturbing wildlife or engaging in hunting
- Commerce: No selling or hiring commodities
- General Conduct: No obstructing, disturbing, or annoying others, including wardens and officers.
Angling is permitted at Landguard Nature Reserve, however there are some seasonal restrictions to note.
From April 1st to September 30th each year, Angling is not permitted on the beach and foreshore in front of the bird nesting cordons.
Please keep your distance and keep dogs on leads.
The Suffolk Coast is home to both Common and Grey seal and so, it is not unusual to see seals in the water around Felixstowe and on shore particularly during their breeding seasons.
If you encounter a seal on the beach, here is what to do:
- Observe from a distance. If the animal appears thin, is coughing, has a runny nose or injuries, please please do report it!
- If you have a dog, please keep it on a lead. If you see any dogs close by, try to let their owners know so they can also put them safely on a lead.
- Avoid approaching or touching the animal.
- Never pour water over the animal. Unlike dolphins and whales, they do not need to be kept wet.
- To reduce disturbance, please stay quiet and keep your distance.
If you are concerned for the seal’s wellbeing, please call British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) on 01825 765546. Give them as much information as you can about where the animal is located, its approximate size, behaviour and any obvious injuries or health concerns.
BDMLR will then arrange for a trained Marine Mammal Medic to attend and assess the health of the animal and then make an informed decision about whether the animal needs assistance or not.
Thank you for enjoying Landguard responsibly
FAQs – Landguard Fort
Grade I listed Landguard Fort is an extensive site built in the 1740s and continually modified to reflect changes in coastal defence strategy and development in engineering and weaponry. It is a a great value visitor attraction and an atmospheric venue for family-focused events and historical re-enactments.
There is so much to see at the Fort and there really is something for everyone to experience and enjoy!
Some visitors will spend a half day with us, others just a couple of hours.
If you have a special interest in military history or wish to join one of our tours, you can easily spend the whole day exploring and you’ll want to follow through on some stories with a visit to the Felixstowe Museum either on the day, or in the future (great value joint tickets available).
Our 1940s Tea Room within the fort building is ideal for taking a relaxing break from your explorations to refuel before you continue your visit!
Yes, there are toilet facilities within the Fort.
Due to the historic nature of the building, we currently have portable loos in place as our lavatory facilities. These include facilities for wheelchair users and less mobile visitors.
There have been fortifications on the Landguard peninsula since King Henry VIII time.
The first part of the Fort you see now was built in 1717, but this was included in the much larger fort built between 1745 – 1750. The Victorians remodelled the middle part of the Fort in 1875. When walking around a rough guide is the red bricks are Georgian, and the yellow bricks are Victorian.
The Fortifications at Landguard were built to defend Harwich, the other side of the water. Harwich was the important town and port including a Royal dockyard where warships were built. However any ships sailing into the Haven have to use the deepwater channel and that is close to Landguard, so any enemy ships would be in range and easy targets for the fort’s guns. The deepwater channel is still used by the big ships today. You can see it marked by green and red buoys.
The current Fort and its gun batteries was an important part of the nation’s coastal defences during both WWI and WWII but wasn’t attacked by land or sea. However the Fort that was built previously here in 1626 was attacked by the Dutch in 1667 during the second Anglo Dutch Wars. Attacked from both land and sea Captain Darell and his men fought off the Dutch who were forced to retreat and sail away.
After WWII the threat of a seaborne invasion diminished considerably and early in the Cold War it was decided there was no need for coastal artillery to defend the nations shores anymore. In 1956 the Fort was closed. For a while it was occasionally used by the army and police for training. The Fort became derelict in the 1970’s. In the late 1990’s with much local support English Heritage carried out a refurbishment project. The Landguard Fort Trust was formed and has cared for it ever since.
Landguard Fort is Grade 1 listed, the highest UK heritage designation. It is important because Landguard Fort and its associated fieldworks are exceptional in that the visible remains present an unusually complete physical record of developments in military engineering and the response to perceived changes in coastal defence requirements over a period of more than two hundred years; from the early 18th to the mid-20th century.
Three outer batteries were built outside the Fort to house and better protect more modern and larger guns, some of which were experimental. The left Battery (1889), Right Battery (1898), and Darell’s Battery, formerly minefield defence battery (1901)
Thank you for enjoying Landguard responsibly
FAQs – Felixstowe Museum
Award-winning Felixstowe Museum is an accredited community museum showcasing the stories and history of Felixstowe and the Felixstowe peninsula, It is located between Landguard Fort and The John Bradfield Viewing Area at the end of View Point Road.
Felixstowe Museum is housed in a rare historic building – Landguard’s Victorian Submarine Mining Establishment which dates from 1878.
It was built in 1878 as part of the Submarine Mining Establishment. It is where mines were assembled before being put in the estuary to defend it from enemy ships in time of war.
The Museum collection has thousands of artefacts, models and displays that tell the story of Felixstowe’s history, from prehistoric times, Roman and Middle Ages through to when it became a fashionable seaside resort in late Victorian times, and into the 20th Century. It also has displays of wartime Felixstowe, and the development of the Port.
It was started by a group of volunteers and became established as a Charity in 1982.
1 to 2 hours.
As well as all the interesting exhibits there is always a trail for children.
Yes the museum has a small café where you can get drinks, cake and ice cream.
