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This is a walk for the winter months when it is wet and soggy underfoot in the countryside and you feel like stretching your legs after occasions such as that extra large Christmas lunch. The Felixstowe sea front provides an ideal surface to walk in all weathers but is particularly good on a fine day when the air is clear. A walk along the promenade also provides access to some of the history of the town whilst also allowing for a good brisk march if required. The walk starts from Cobbold Point, at the east end of the promenade, at the junction of Undercliff Road and Maybush Lane. Here you will find the start of the tarmac section of promenade that continues south westerly for just over 1½ miles, near straight and level, to a point just beyond the Charles Manning amusement park. On the cliff at Cobbolds Point, just beyond the start of the walk, is Felix Cobbold's summer house, now converted into residential units. Walking along the promenade towards the pier the next point of note is the Fludyer Arms, built in 1902 and named after a local resident Sir Samuel Fludyer. Look for Beach House, the red brick house to the left of Saint Mary's Nursing Home. This is where Mrs Simpson Wallis stayed while awaiting her divorce before marrying King Edward VIII. Continuing on, the Bartlett Hospital, built on the site of a Martello Tower, stands high on the cliff above Undercliff Road East, at its entrance on Bath Hill to the left stands the site of the ill fated Bath Hotel, burned down on 28 April 1914 by the Suffragettes. Soon the large outline of Harvest House can be seen on the cliff top. This impressive building with its clock tower was once the Felix Hotel, designed by Thomas Cotman for Douglas Tollemache in 1903. Further along the cliff to the left is Cliff House, identified by the white balcony railings around the roof. The next feature we come across is the Spa Pavilion Theatre and gardens, providing a wide range of entertainment for all ages and a colourful splash of garden colour to the seafront and cliffs. Walking on towards Bent Hill the imposing white building on the cliff top is South Beach Mansion, built about 1860 for Eley the cartridge manufacturer and once known as Eley Cathedral. When the Empress of Germany stayed here in 1891 it turned the town from a clifftop village into a fashionable resort. Pause at Bent Hill, one of the main access points from the town centre and note the steepness of the road. In 1933 a Mr P Harris of Ipswich managed the rare feat of riding his cycle backwards up the hill. On the corner at the bottom of the hill stands the Cork Bars and the Splitz night club. Between Bent Hill and the pier take note of the red brick Town Hall, the foundation stone advises that it was laid by Felix Cobbold in 1892. On 22 May 1914 two of the Suffragettes responsible for the Bath Hotel fire and other sites in the area, Hilda Birkett and Florence Tunks were put on trial at the Town Hall. They were later found guilty at the Suffolk Assizes and sentenced to 2 years and 9 months respectively. This was the last major outrage committed by the Suffragettes, women over the age of 30 were finally given the vote on 6 February 1918. Next door is the Town's Tourist Information Centre, where the booklets described in the Information section and other details can be obtained. Next we arrive at the most prominent feature of the Felixstowe sea front, the pier. This has been an important part of Felixstowe since 1905. Before the Second World War it was a half-a-mile long with electric trams running its length to take people to the paddle steamers sailing from it. During the war it was cut in half to prevent enemy landings and later reduced in length. Opposite the pier stands the modern Leisure Centre, providing swimming pools, flume, fitness and health suites, activity hall, beauty salon, adventure play area, bar and coffee shop. Between the next section of the promenade and Sea Road there are a variety of pleasure beach facilities in front of the splendid row of Victorian Hotels and Guest Houses on the other side of the road. Beyond these grand buildings the main pleasure beach and amusement parks are situated. Among the facilities, the pink and blue of Charles Manning's traditional seaside amusement park dominates the skyline, established just after the Second World War, it is visible from most parts of the promenade walk. This walk finishes at the end of the tarmac section of promenade, opposite Orford Road, where there is a fine red brick visitor shelter with seats if you want a rest before your return. But you may wish to continue on along the concrete past the Martello Tower and on towards Languard Point, before returning back along the promenade or finding a route back through the town on the roadside footways. InformationLocation: Felixstowe is 11 miles south east of IpswichStart: Cobbolds Point, Undercliff Road East, Ordnance Survey map reference TM 314348 Length: 3 miles (or any variation to suit) Conditions: Promenade, flat and level throughout How to get there :- Rail Information: One Railways Ltd. Telephone 0845 600 7245 Public Transport: For details telephone Suffolk County Council's Public Transport Information TraveLine - 0870 6082608 and www.traveline.org.uk Road Route: From Ipswich on A14, follow the signs for town centre and High Road East, turn right on Brook Lane or Maybush Lane to the sea front Car Parking: Undercliff Road East and others - roadside free Refreshments: A wide range of facilities for all tastes along the sea front and in the town Public Toilets: Promenade (several) and others in the town Map: Ordnance Survey Explorer sheet 197 Ipswich, Felixstowe and Harwich Information: Tourist Information Centre open daily. Walking Around Felixstowe booklet of 7 walks £2; The Cotman Trail booklet £2, both from the Tourist Information Centre Internet: Suffolk Country Walks - http://www.anderton.btinternet.co.uk Felixstowe Town Council - http://www.felixstowe.gov.uk/
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