High Lighthouse

The High Lighthouse stands on Felixstowe's seafront like a steadfast sentinel, a proper Victorian red and white striped tower that's been guiding ships since 1840. It's not a working lighthouse anymore - that job passed to its automated neighbours years back - but it remains one of East Anglia's most recognisable maritime landmarks, and you can see it from miles along the coast.

What you get here is straightforward: a photo stop, really, unless you catch one of the rare occasions when the tower opens for climbs (worth checking locally if you're keen on the views from the top). The real appeal is the setting. You're standing at the edge of a busy container port watching industrial boats queue up, yet the promenade itself is pleasant enough for a stroll. The adjacent Felixstowe Seafront has shops and cafes within spitting distance, so you won't go hungry.

History buffs will appreciate its age and role in maritime heritage. Families with young kids might manage 20 minutes, then they'll want to head toward the beach or the pier just down the road. It works best as a waypoint on a larger Felixstowe visit rather than a destination in itself.

Stay at one of the local parks - Suffolk Sands Holiday Park or Felixstowe Beach Holiday Park are practically on your doorstep, both under two miles away. Combine it with walks along the seafront or a proper day at the beach. Free to view from outside; opening times and access for the tower itself aren't guaranteed, so ring ahead if climbing is your plan.