history of Felixstowe

Felixstowe is generally assumed to be named after St Felix, who founded a priory nearby, but some experts argue that the original name was Filthstow, which means a place of felled trees.

Most of the town of Felixstowe is about 100 years old, although its history actually stretches back to Roman times. It is the place of the last invasion of England where the Dutch were repelled by the garrison in July 1667.

“Felixstowe succeeds in remaining ‘very select’ and therefore much frequented by the classes. It does not cater for the masses.” Source: National UK Newspaper

Felixstowe was a little known village of no great importance until the 17th century.

As a resort and town it became more prominent in the late nineteenth century, after a visit from the Empress of Germany in 1891.

The fashionable resort for the upper classes

The Empress and her family spent three weeks on holiday here in the South Beach Mansion this visit was reported in most of Europe’s daily newspapers and so Felixstowe became a fashionable resort for the upper classes.

In this era any contact with Queen Victoria was very important as she was considered the greatest monarch in the world at this time. This visit was a key turning point for Felixstowe as it helped to promote the town.

Spa Waters

Another factor, which helped the town’s development, was its spa waters.

Medical science in this period had decreed that drinking spa water was beneficial to your health and could cure many ailments and that swimming in the sea was also good for your health.

As Felixstowe had both of these attributes it encouraged the classes to come here on holiday.

“Picturesque health-giving Felixstowe with its yellow sands, its wide golf links, its magnificent climate, its splendid marine views and its excellent accommodation for visitors.” Source: 1910 Guide Book

Along with the town becoming a fashionable resort the port was created in 1886 by Colonel George Tomline, so Felixstowe became a rival port to Harwich. Once the docks and the town grew, better transport was introduced and so Felixstowe became an attractive place to visit and the town became more prominent.

In 1887 the Ipswich-Felixstowe railway started working and in 1904 the Pier was opened and is still in use.

Due to all these reasons Felixstowe grew in both population and as a resort, so leisure became more important, this is probably why the town had at one time four theatres, which were all built within thirty years.