Felixstowe Pier — Attraction in East Suffolk

Overall a great experience since the refurb a few years ago. Good range of arcade games to play for all ages. Nice to have a little bowling (or skittles I think it might be technically) area too. It always feels fairly clean and well staffed, machines are quite new and maintained nicely. Free cash withdrawals are great since there seem to be hardly any cashpoints nearby. I also believe the machine that dispenses £1 coins also takes contactless which seems obvious these days but also very handy as you can just turn up with your bank card without playing hunt the tenner. Some improvements I think they could do with: 1) It's a shame they blocked access to the toilets attached to the restaurant. You used to be able to walk straight into the toilet hallway from the arcade but they've lumped a machine there now. I assume the restaurant didn't want non patrons using the facilities which I can understand but the public toilet situation along the front is dire. You'd have to walk a fair distance either way to find somewhere, if they're open at all. Not ideal with little ones, elderly, differently abled or if you're busting. So please reopen this if possible. 2) It can feel really tight for space in peak busy times. You're best off abandoning push chairs as you'll have no joy manoeuvring it through. Doesn't help that people seem to actively seek out pathways to stand around in. Also please stop taking dogs in there, it's hot, loud, busy and it's not nice to have a yappy dog adding to all that. Be good if management could ban dogs (aside service) altogether. Also on the space issue, whenever I have been (usually around 5-10 times a year), the 'over 18 only' area never seems to have more than half a dozen people in there. Maybe they could use some of that space for a better layout. 3) My biggest gripe is the prize redemption area. I think the prizes are decently priced (in terms of tickets) and there are loads to choose from. However there's only 4 ticket eating machines for the whole arcade and they're all up near the prize booth. This ultimately results in a mass of people in that corner which is a nightmare to navigate. Especially with children in tow. Usually one or more of the machines isn't working either which adds to the mass and queues. Some more machines dotted about the arcade would be a great help. The ice cream/donut/hot drink booth to the right of the arcade is good on the whole. Cost wise it's about what you'd expect for a beach front place. The ice cream is decent gelato, donuts are fluffy and not oily. Coffee is freshly ground. The fish and chips to the left again is tasty and costs what you'd expect for pier food. Pretty quick service considering the huge queues you can see sometimes. Good selection of food and cold drinks. Always fresh...

This place gone down hill, we made this game up which helped turn an irritating situation into a fun game but the fact that we could play such a game just tells u how bad it is! The games called "FIND A TOILET" like seriously how on earth do u create this magical seaside place that's actually been here for many decades, and u decide to close all the toilets! There used to be toilets in all the arcades, now there isn't! Either closed off or just removed. The market place is a complete joke now, used to love going there to get cheap snacks an look at all the cool tops n tshirts an toys! All gone now 😡 an the very few shops that are still on the market area for some strange reason went with the decision to not price there goods! Like there's this one shop an I'm not joking nothing in there was priced, u had to ask? Who the hell designed this and said "oh this is perfect" like what the hell has happened to felextowe. Multiple shops in the town area also didn't have prices on goods, and some shops and burger stools hot dog stools were SHUT!! On a Saturday? Really? Like isn't a Saturday supposed to be like the shopping seaside equivalent to "RUSH HOUR" so why was half the place shut? The place just ain't what it used to be like when I was a kid. I came here every weekend with my friends an spent all my pocket money flat out, loved it during the summer hols.. It's sad to see such a state for a seaside, the place is just dead now. I'd recommend u take a few empty bottles with u in ur car to use as a toilet unless u wanna play our fun game "find a toilet". So far our best time...

I liked the Pier, but the parking was a nightmare. One pay machine in town took coins, but the one by the sea did not. I tried the App - which took me in circles and would not work. I rang the Ringgo number on the sign - which also took me in circles and would not work. Welcome to Felixstowe, but you can't park, despite the fact you've travelled over 80 miles to come especially to the town. I possess a Blue Disability badge. Where I ended up parking was a) quite distance from the sea, and b) at the top of a steep hill. Not easy to return to, frankly. So - Felixstowe is not particularly welcoming, no. The Boardwalk restaurant was lovely. The Treasure Chest 2nd hand bookshop was terrific. Oh, and the lady in the Town Hall who directed me to a street of houses that I could try to park in was very kind. But that parking App is useless. I have used parking Apps elsewhere with no trouble.

I had come for the healing sound and sight of the sea, having been present at the death of a close and loved friend 3 days previously. I would not come again. I'd like to go to the bookshop in town again, if that other carpark still took coins- but it's a long way for me to come 'in case'. So I don't think I'd risk 80 miles of petrol. Shame - it looked nice and I would have liked...