Name: Landguard Fort
Rating: 5.0

Landguard Fort

View Point Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 3TW, UK

1-99 Years

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Description

Landguard Fort defends the approach to Harwich Harbour, a safe haven for shipping. It was the site of the last opposed seaborne invasion of England, by the Dutch in 1667, who were repulsed by the Royal Marines in their first land battle.

The current fort was built in the 18th century, and modified in the 19th century, with substantial additional 19th and 20th-century outside batteries. It was manned through both World Wars and played an important anti-aircraft role during the Second World War. In 1951 two of the old gun casemates were converted into a 'Cold War' control room. The fort was disarmed and closed in 1956.

Price starts from £7.50 for Adults and £4.50 for Children(5–17 years). If you are looking for Best place for day out with kids and families then this is the perfect destination offering fun, adventure, and unforgettable memories for everyone.

Features

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Host birthday parties: No

Features

Philip Thicknesse, Landguard's Loosest Cannon: How Philip Thicknesse finally got his comeuppance after a madcap life of self-inflicted scandal in 18th-century England.
LARGER THAN LIFE: ‘To anyone who has made a close study of Philip Thicknesse,’ wrote his 20th-century biographer, ‘there come occasions when he can but marvel that nobody ever shot him or bludgeoned him to death.’
A cursory glance at the story of Thicknesse’s life makes it pretty difficult to disagree with such an assessment. He emigrated to America when he was just 16 and lived ‘a true Robinson Crusoe line of life’ in a wooden cabin, alone on an island. He married three times in 20 years after returning to England, prompting his first mother-in-law to commit suicide by hurling herself out of a window onto some iron railings on the very spot where Thicknesse had – quite literally – abducted her daughter.
AN OFFICER BUT NO GENTLEMAN: In 1753, Thicknesse decided to use a sizeable portion of the dowry from his second marriage to purchase the lieutenant governorship of Landguard Fort in Suffolk.
Once installed in his new position, he began to engage in a favourite hobby: goading rival authority figures. A decade of skirmishes culminated in a sustained feud with one Colonel Francis Vernon of the Suffolk militia (later Lord Orwell) which took on unprecedented dimensions, even for Thicknesse.
THE AFFAIR OF THE WOODEN GUN: The straw that broke the camel’s back was Thicknesse’s decision to present Lord Orwell with a characteristically peculiar (but apparently deeply offensive) gift: a cannon-shaped chunk of flotsam.Thicknesse was tried for libel in 1763 and imprisoned for three months. Somewhat surprisingly, he was allowed to resume command of Landguard Fort once he had served his sentence, and wasted no time in bringing ridiculous charges against the officer who had been in charge during his absence. He was sentenced to a public reprimand in 1765, and judged unfit for command in 1766.
Gardens: The site is situated on the Landguard peninsula, sitting between the Port of Felixstowe and a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) Nature Reserve which has a rare vegetated shingle ecosystem. It is bordered by the North Sea and the Orwell estuary. Fantastic views of the estuary, ships, port operations and the sea are available from the fort and surrounding area. There are paths though the Nature Reserve including an easily accessible boardwalk. Wildlife can be spotted on the Nature Reserve.
A cycle route runs from the town of Felixstowe through the Nature Reserve to the fort.
Exhibition: A small permanent exhibition is located in the ground floor of the fort. Temporary exhibitions are sometimes held in the first floor rooms, which are accessible only by stairs.
Museum: Visitors will find Felixstowe Museum located next door to the fort (separate site).

Facilities

Parking: Three designated spaces in small car park directly in front of fort for blue badge holders only. Public pay-and-display car parking, not managed by English Heritage, can be found opposite the fort (across the road, approximately 50 metres away).
Food And Drink: Our 1940s-themed tearoom serves light refreshments, including hot and cold drinks, chocolate bars, crisps, sweets and ice creams. The Landguard Visitor Centre, which is approximately 100 metres from the fort, houses the View Point Café. This serves meals, cakes, ice-cream, and hot and cold drinks.
Toilets: Toilet facilities are limited, but unisex portable units are provided (including a disabled unit) for visitors. Full public toilet facilities, including disabled toilets and baby changing facilities, are available at the Landguard Visitor Centre which is approximately 100 metres from the fort.
Dogs: Assistance dogs on leads are welcome. Other dogs are welcome on leads except in the gift shop and the tearoom.

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Price

Price: Paid

Price Details

Landguard Fort Ticket Prices:

Adult: £7.50.
Child (5–17 years): £4.50.
Concession (Over 65 & Students with a valid Student ID): £6.80.
Child (under 5 years): Free.
Carer (assisting a disabled visitor): Free.

Landguard Fort & Felixstowe Museum – Joint Ticket Prices:

Adults: £12.50
Children: £6.00
Concession: £11.00

Pricing URL: https://landguard.com/opening-times-tickets/

Birthday Parties

Offer Birthday Parties: No

March 29th until November 2nd 2025: Thursday – Sunday during term time
Every day (during school holidays & Bank Holiday Mondays): 10am to 5pm (last admission 3pm)

Address: View Point Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 3TW, UK

Post Code: IP11 3TW

Council: East Suffolk

County: Suffolk

Road Access: 1 mile south of Felixstowe town centre – follow signs to Landguard Point.
Bus Access: First Bus 77.
Train Access: Felixstowe 2 1⁄2 miles.
Bicycle Access: Sustrans route 51 (part of the National Cycle Network) runs from Ipswich to Landguard - for details visit their website.
Parking: Three designated spaces in small car park directly in front of fort for blue badge holders only. Public pay-and-display car parking, not managed by English Heritage, can be found opposite the fort (across the road, approximately 50 metres away).