The communities that have made Felixstowe tick over time...

Social Collection

Discover what life was like in Victorian and Edwardian Felixstowe in the Museum’s fantastic Social History Collections. The museum’s collections reflect all facets of life in Felixstowe as it has developed over the centuries.

Displays share the fashions of times past, children’s toys, local advertisements and postcards. Take a look at our beautifully restored delivery van together with Wiseman’s old shop cabinets and counter full of household items from a bygone era – including the prices!

Proud to share Felixstowe-on-Sea

Felixstowe holds a special place in the hearts of many Suffolk people. For some residents, it’s the place where they grew up and where their families have lived, worked and done business for generations.

For others, it’s where they head for a day at the seaside… and following a tradition that their parents, grandparents and great grandparents also enjoyed.

Here’s a flavour of what’s in store & more

We thought we’d share just a small selection of interesting artefacts from our Social Collection to whet your appetite…

Carved Case

Hand Bag

Jewellery

Press

Blue China Loo

A journey towards resort & trading port

Felixstowe was once just a hamlet of cliff top houses and home to around 500 people. It didn’t really become a town until the port opened for trade in the 1880s and the railway brought increasing numbers of visitors, eager to enjoy the new Victorian discovery of leisure time.

A day, or even a holiday by the sea, was extremely popular. Tourism brought construction of a pier and amusement arcade, hotels, boarding houses and shops, golf and tennis clubs, theatres and music halls, pleasure gardens.

The town boomed as a fashionable resort and a highly desirable place to live. Beautiful houses were built, schools, churches and other amenities were established.