LF-Routes ( Landelijke Fietsroutes , Dutch for countrywide cycling routes ) are long-distance cycling routes that form a network in the Netherlands and Belgium . The routes, criss-crossing both countries, are primarily intended for recreational multi-day bike tours, such as cycling holidays . Some routes are also part of a wider international network .
55-537: Most of the LF routes have been signposted in two directions, inscribing one direction with the letter "a", the other with the letter "b": the North Sea Route LF1 southbound from Den Helder to French Boulogne-sur-Mer is called LF1a, while in the other direction it is called LF1b. In 1987, Dutch cyclists' organisations founded a "countrywide cycling platform" to create a network of long-distance cycling routes throughout
110-431: A connection to London with intermediate stops at other major towns, such as Ipswich, Colchester , Witham , Chelmsford and Brentwood . A weekday service departs daily at 07:20 and returns at 18:00, while the weekend service departs at 07:55 and returns at 18:00. Felixstowe is administered by Suffolk County Council , East Suffolk Council and Felixstowe Town Council. The local parish council, Felixstowe Town Council,
165-570: A settlement as seen by the presence of Walton Castle , built by the Romans in the 3rd century, but today Walton is generally considered part of Felixstowe due to modern expansion. Felixstowe is situated at the tip of the Colneis peninsula, and was in the ancient Colneis Hundred of Suffolk. The Felixstowe area as a whole provided a linchpin in England's defence, as proved in 1667 when Dutch soldiers landed near
220-467: A test flight. It was preparing for an 8,000-mile flight to Cape Town, South Africa. The wireless operator, Lt. MacLeod, was killed, and the six passengers were rescued. The wreckage was towed ashore. Wallis Simpson stayed in Felixstowe in 1936 in order to claim residence for her divorce from Ernest Simpson so that she could marry Edward VIII . The divorce and marriage sparked the abdication crisis in
275-584: Is a scheduled ancient monument and visitor attraction with a nearby nature reserve . At the opposite end of the town is Felixstowe Ferry Golf Club , which is amongst the oldest in the UK, having been established in 1881. The Rt. Hon. Arthur Balfour , Captain of the Golf Club in 1889, became captain of the R&;A in 1894 and British Prime Minister from 1902 to 1905. Felixstowe has a recently refurbished sandy beach south from
330-411: Is a walkway and is the start of the 50-mile Suffolk Coast Path . At low tide from Jacob's Ladder, it is possible to glimpse the seaweed-covered remains of a Roman fort , which could possibly be the place of Dommoc , in the water about 50 yards from the coast, where it suggested St Felix first landed in England. Perhaps the most striking building on the front is Harvest House. Originally built as
385-652: Is based in Felixstowe Town Hall , on the seafront at Undercliff Road West. Felixstowe lies within the Suffolk Coastal parliamentary constituency; Jenny Riddell-Carpenter of the Labour Party was elected as the Member of Parliament in the 2024 General Election . In 1894 an urban district called "Felixstowe and Walton" was formed which contained the parishes of "Felixstowe" and "Walton", in 1889 it became part of
440-563: Is doing the same between 2017 and 2021 (routes marked ). Although a network like the Belgo-Dutch LF routes enable almost endless combinations of sections, a few themed routes have been officially established: LF6 and LF7. || (tour) || 600 km EV12 The North Sea Cycle Route EuroVelo 12 (EV12), the North Sea Cycle Route , is a 5,942 km (3,692 mi) long-distance cycling route circuit around
495-595: Is owned by Hutchison Port Holdings Ltd with additional land on the peninsula owned by Trinity College, Cambridge . The port has its own Police Authority , which also currently has jurisdiction over the area local to the port, with permission from Suffolk Constabulary 's Chief Constable. Alongside the Port Police, they also have their own joint ambulance and fire service; one of the port ambulances, call sign Alpha 1 , can also come off port to attend 999 emergencies in Felixstowe. The Harwich Harbour Ferry operates between
550-654: Is the home of the local CoastWatch group, Q Tower in the town, and two more towards the Deben mouth) survive. Q Tower was the HQ of the Harwich-Ipswich-Martlesham Heath anti-aircraft guns between 1941 and 1945 (earlier it had been in Landguard Fort). At the turn of the century, tourism increased, and a pier was constructed in 1905, some of which is partially functional to this day as an amusement arcade . Indeed, during
605-690: The Cykelspåret cycling route are badly maintained, which makes additional GPS-navigation necessary. From Gothenburg, it follows the Ginstleden and Cykelspåret Väst cycling routes southwards to the port of Varberg . From there the route departs Sweden with the ferry to Grenå in Denmark. The Norwegian section of the North Sea Cycle Route starts in Bergen , and exits to Sweden at Svinesund . The route follows
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#1732876837083660-515: The East Suffolk district, in the county of Suffolk , England. The estimated population in 2017 was 24,521. The Port of Felixstowe is the largest container port in the United Kingdom. Felixstowe is approximately 72 miles (116 km) northeast of London. There are competing theories as to how the name of Felixstowe arose. One is that the town is named after Felix of Burgundy , a saint and
715-560: The GR organisation took over the planning of Belgian LF-routes. At the maximum extent, both countries had created a network of 36 routes, of which 5 were only in Belgium, 15 in the Netherlands and 16 in both. Some routes also extend into France and Germany. However, due to the expansion of the numbered-node cycle network , Belgium reduced its official network in 2012 (routes marked ) and the Netherlands
770-673: The Wadden Sea landscape, which is absolutely unique. Sometimes the route diverts inland to a more varied landscape. The Danish section of the North Sea Cycle Route follows two routes of the Danish National Cycle Routes network, routes 5 and 1. It starts just across the channel from Sweden at the Danish port of Grenå on the Djursland peninsula. Following national route 5 it travels north to Skagen . From Skagen it continues south along
825-438: The "spa area" in Felixstowe dating back to 1895. It is therefore known as the home to British beach huts. Some of the beach huts in the spa area (a conservation area) date back to c.1900, so are probably the original beach huts. On the cliffs above this area sits Harvest House, which was built as The Felix Hotel in 1903, and was known as "the millionaire's hotel", because of the gentry and royal visitors it attracted. The Floral Hall
880-759: The Belgian sections were included, the North Sea Cycle Route originally terminated at the Hook of Holland where passenger ferries sail to the English port of Harwich , thus completing the circuit of the North Sea Cycle Route. The German section of the North Sea Cycle Route follows the German Cycling Network 's D1 route. This route follows for the most part the North Sea coast through rural areas, but also passes several towns and cities. You will become acquainted with various parts of
935-684: The English portside town of Harwich takes you through the following route. Travellers from the Continent would typically begin the English section of the North Sea Cycle Route at Harwich International Port in Parkeston . From there, there is a signposted route that meets the National Cycle Network 's NCR51 in a park to the south of Dovercourt station. The route is then signposted as NCR51 south-east to Colchester where it then follows National Cycle Route 1 . Once on NCR 1, this route takes you all
990-492: The Felix Hotel, it then became Fisons ' headquarters. It has now been converted to apartments for residents of retirement age, many with fabulous views over Felixstowe. This was built on the sea front, had 19 beds and was open from about 1902 until the 1970s. It was run by The London Hospital to provide a space where patients could recuperate by the sea. Nurses were also sometimes sent there from The London. After its closure
1045-612: The Felixstowe Museum. There are a number of hotels and guesthouses, self-catering properties and camping/caravanning sites catering for visitors. Felixstowe Rugby Union Football Club was founded in 1930 and plays in the Eastern Counties Leagues. Felixstowe Hockey Club has three men's teams and three ladies' team. The men's first team play in Eastern Division 2 North East. The club was voted England Hockey's "club of
1100-505: The Fludyers area and tried (unsuccessfully) in the Battle of Landguard Fort to capture Landguard Fort due to strategic location. The town only became related to a major port in 1886 when the port opened to trade, following the initial construction of the dock basin in 1882. In 1810 or 1811 seven Martello Towers were built along the shore, of which 4 (Tower P on Wireless Green off Old Fort Road
1155-710: The LF10 (Waddenzeeroute) and the LF1 (Noordzeeroute), starting at the German border at Nieuweschans to Sluis near the Belgian border. The LF10 starts from Nieuweschans near the German border and continues 275 km (171 mi) to Callantsoog . This route shows you the Groningen and Frisian coast at its best. The salty, fresh wind on your back and gaze at the endless green pastures cycling along vanished villages, congested inland seas, hidden, stinzen, mounds and basalt dikes. Highlights include
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#17328768370831210-509: The Netherlands. This platform published maps and guides and started signposting its routes in 1990. Belgium introduced its first long-distance route, not yet called "LF" by that time, in 1964: it connected youth hostels and was therefore called Jeugdherbergenroute, which later became the LF50. Belgium signposted its first LF-route in 1990 as well (the LF1 North Sea Route) and two years later,
1265-597: The North Sea Cycle Route has been added in at a later date. It basically continues to follow the LF1 from the Netherlands and goes from Knokke in the Zwin region through to Ostend , to Nieuwpoort and to De Panne close to the border with France. (The LF1 ultimately terminates at Boulogne-sur-Mer in France.) The Dutch section of the North Sea Cycle Route is approximately 585 km (364 mi) long and follows two national LF-routes ,
1320-633: The Royal Navy. In 1953, at least 48 people died in the town during the North Sea flood . In 1993 'Fast Eddie Maher', a security van driver, stole £1.2m cash from outside Lloyds bank. He went on the run and was eventually arrested in 2012. Landguard Fort, originally known as Langer Fort, is on the site of the last opposed invasion of England in 1667, and the first land battle of the Duke of York and of Albany 's (later James II & VII ) Marines. The current fort
1375-791: The View Point (near Landguard Fort) in Felixstowe and Ha'penny Pier, Harwich and Shotley Point throughout the summer. The Bawdsey Ferry crosses the River Deben from Felixstowe Ferry . Felixstowe railway station is the eastern terminus of the passenger service to Ipswich , via the Felixstowe Branch Line ; the line itself branches before the station, the other line goes on to the Port of Felixstowe . Local bus services are operated by First Eastern Counties , with routes to Ipswich and Woodbridge . The National Express coach service 481 provides
1430-447: The administrative county of East Suffolk . In 1914 Walton parish was merged with Felixstowe and the urban district was renamed to just "Felixstowe". On 1 April 1974 the district was abolished and became part of Suffolk Coastal in the non-metropolitan county of Suffolk. A successor parish was formed covering the same area as the former district and its parish. In 2019 Felixstowe became part of East Suffolk district. Landguard Fort
1485-434: The area of the modern day docks at a small pier popular with pleasure boats, and with a paddle steamer link to London. A dock next to the pier was approved in 1879. Felixstowe is Britain's largest container port. The main navigation channel is dredged to 47 + 1 ⁄ 2 feet (14.5 m) below chart datum and a depth of up to 49 feet (15 m) alongside the quay. Felixstowe boasts deep-water able to accommodate
1540-462: The coastlines of the countries that border the North Sea : these countries are (going clockwise from an arbitrary starting point of Harwich in Essex) England, Scotland, Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. The North Sea Cycle Route was officially opened in 2001, and is an international project between the countries participating, with 68 partners in 8 countries. In 2003,
1595-518: The first bishop of the East Angles in the seventh century, although this is unlikely as the name Felixstowe is not recorded for almost 900 years. An alternative etymology is from the Anglo-Saxon or Old English name "Filicia" and "stōw", meaning a place of location. Literally Filicia's place. The earliest recorded names "Filchestou" from 1254, and "Filchestowe" in 1291 support this idea. It is possible that
1650-538: The former island of Wieringen in North Holland, part of the route, Lauwersmeer National Park . The route also passes over all ports with ferry connections to the Dutch Wadden Sea. A little "island hopping" to Vlieland and Schiermonnikoog is easily possible. From Callantsoog, the route follows the LF1 from nearby Den Helder and continues 310 km (190 mi) to Sluis near the Belgian border. Before
1705-542: The harbour entrance, and a radio and radar station. Landguard Fort is in the care of English Heritage , and is managed by the Landguard Fort Trust to make it accessible to the public. A museum telling the story of Felixstowe, with a reference library, historic maps, photo archive and fourteen rooms of artefacts from Roman finds, the Martello towers , military social and domestic history through two world wars and into
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1760-581: The home became the Herman de Sterne Centre. Following a severe fire it was demolished in 2006. Two matrons who had trained at The London Hospital, under Eva Luckes were: Felixstowe draws tourist visitors and has traditional seaside offerings such as Felixstowe Pier and The Seafront Gardens. There is also the Forum Amusement Centre, Ocean Boulevard and Manning's Amusements. Visitors can also see Landguard Fort, Landguard Nature Reserve, Felixstowe Ferry and
1815-479: The late Victorian period (after circa 1880) it became a fashionable resort, a trend initiated by the opening of Felixstowe Town railway station , the pier and a visit by the German imperial family in 1891. It was in this buoyant period that Felixstowe was the first British town to adopt beach huts as stationary permanent structures (rather than wheeled bathing machines) and there are photographic records of beach huts at
1870-455: The later reworking of Filicia/Filche was made with the intention of referencing Felix of Burgundy. The old Felixstowe hamlet was centred on a pub and church, having stood on the site since long before the Norman conquest of England . The early history of Felixstowe, including its Roman , Anglo-Saxon , Norman and medieval defences, is told under the name of Walton , because the name Felixstowe
1925-424: The local council, now managed by a contractor. Felixstowe has a Royal Air Force Air Cadet Squadron, 356 (Felixstowe) Squadron ATC. Cobbolds Point takes its name from Felix Cobbold , who built Felixstowe Lodge, now known as Cranmer House, and associated sea wall at the bottom of Maybush Lane in 1885. It is a Grade II- listed mock Elizabethan mansion by Thomas Cotman . Its listing describes it as "a fine house of
1980-652: The new millennium is managed by volunteers from the Felixstowe History and Museum Society. It is located in the old submarine mining establishment building at the Landguard Peninsula, between the Fort and Port. The pier was opened in 1906, rebuilt in late 2017, and re-opened in 2018. During the Second World War the majority of the pier, at the time one of the longest in the country and complete with its own train,
2035-749: The north-east tip of the Scottish mainland. From the nearby port of Scrabster the route continues via ferry services to Stromness in Orkney and from there to Shetland . From there the route starts up again in Norway . (The ferry service linking Lerwick in Shetland with Bergen in Norway has been discontinued. The alternative is the summer-only twice-weekly flights from Sumburgh Airport south of Lerwick to Bergen in Norway, operated by Loganair .) Heading clockwise, starting at
2090-674: The original bungalow that forms the lower two floors of Cotman Lodge care home. He was the nephew of John Sell Cotman , the famous Norwich water-colour artist. The Art Deco style of architecture has been used for some buildings. The Cavendish Hotel in Sea Road, demolished in 1988, was in this style. There is another example in Undercliff Road West, which has been home to the Felixstowe Tourist Information Centre. From Brackenberry Fort to Felixstowe Ferry there
2145-449: The perimeter of the main building. The sole remaining railway station Felixstowe , was opened in 1898. The well-preserved station building now houses a supermarket and shops. In its prime the railway station saw more than twenty services a day and is now served by an hourly service to Ipswich . The station now has only one platform, which has been created from the far end of one of the original platforms. Felixstowe Beach railway station
2200-541: The period reflecting the wealth of this important Suffolk family of brewers". However Felix was involved in the banking and insurance interests of the family rather than its brewing assets. Cotman, the architect, designed many of the most famous buildings in Felixstowe including the Railway Station, Harvest House (Felix Hotel), the Orwell and Bath Hotels, Barclays and Lloyds Banks plus many others. He also designed and lived in
2255-438: The pier, and a stoney beach north of the pier. A Victorian promenade runs along part of the beach, from the nature reserve in the southwest to Cobbolds Point (Maybush Lane in east), with traditional beach huts along most of that length. An amusement arcade with snooker halls and food outlets occupies the southern end. The pier, incorporating a cafe and amusement arcade, stands before a leisure centre, with swimming pool, owned by
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2310-405: The route is now moving far into the inland east of Stavanger in order to still reach Bergen. Even this route might be changed, because it uses the ferry from Stavanger to Tau, which has been replaced by the 14 km Ryfylke Tunnel , which is forbidden for bicycles. Felixstowe Felixstowe ( / ˈ f iː l ɪ k s t oʊ / FEE -lic-stoh ) is a port town and civil parish in
2365-473: The route was awarded a Guinness world record certificate confirming that the North Sea Cycle Route was the world's longest cycle route. The route starting from the Shetland islands towards Norway would go through the countries in the following order: The Scottish section of the North Sea Cycle Route follows the British National Cycle Route 1 ( NCR 1 ) from the English border to Thurso on
2420-564: The same year. Most of the south-western area of Felixstowe Urban District, between the Dock, Landguard Point, and Manor Road, was occupied by the Navy, RAF and Army. with Landguard Fort and several ruined gun emplacements and bunkers a reminder of the 1939–1945 era. It was the first base from which Second World War German E-boats and coastal convoys were systematically attacked—by flotilla led by Lt-Commanders Howes, Dickens, Hichens and Trelawney. Felixstowe
2475-609: The second as the Coastal Forces MTB, MGB and ML base HMS Beehive. Between the wars the seaplane station housed the RAF experimental establishment which tested seaplanes and flying boats. Its sheds and piers were incorporated in the MTB base and later the container port. On 11 August 1919, the Felixstowe Fury sideslipped and crashed into the sea 500 yards offshore soon after take-off while on
2530-515: The southern coastline, and is approx 1000 kilometres long. Along the route several towns are visited, among them Haugesund , Stavanger , Kristiansand , Arendal , Larvik , Sandefjord , Tønsberg , Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg . The whole route is marked with a sign that reads 1 , as it shares it route with the Norwegian National Cycle Route 1 . Because former ferry routes have been replaced with tunnels forbidden for bicycles,
2585-573: The way to the Scottish border. An alternative route from Harwich is to take the National Cycle Route 51 in the other direction, then take a (seasonal) foot ferry north using NCR 51 to Felixstowe and then either head directly for the NCR1 using Regional Cycle Route 41 to Woodbridge or take a more scenic route using RCR41 up the Suffolk coast and join NCR1 near Saxmundham . The Belgian section of
2640-436: The west coast following route 1 all the way to the town of Rudbøl on the German border. The Swedish section of the North Sea Cycle Route is 380 km (240 mi) and follows the west coast of Sweden through the counties of Halland and Västra Götaland . From Norway, the route starts at Svinesund and follows the Cykelspåret cycling route through the province of Bohuslän towards Gothenburg . The navigation signs of
2695-404: The world's latest generation of deep-draughted ultra post-Panamax vessels. There is a continuous quay of 2.4 km, equipped with 25 ship-to-shore gantry cranes. The town has road links to the Midlands , via the A14 , and to London , via the A12 road . The single-track railway line to Ipswich has been upgraded recently to allow larger containers; many more are now transported by rail. The port
2750-475: Was also HQ of the Harwich Harbour coast and anti-aircraft defences, and accommodated the RAF's 26th Marine Craft (Air-Sea Rescue) Unit. In 1944 the piers near the Dock were used to load troops, tanks and vehicles onto the British and American landing craft of "Force L", which reinforced the Normandy Invasion on its first and second days. In 1945 the German naval commanders in Occupied Holland arrived in E-boats at Felixstowe Dock to surrender their boats and charts to
2805-413: Was built in 1909, and subsequently became known as The Spa Pavilion. Felixstowe remained a fashionable seaside destination until the late 1930s. In April 1914 as part of the suffragette bombing and arson campaign Bath Hotel, which was popular with elite vistors, was burnt down. Felixstowe played an important role in both world wars; in the first as Royal Naval Air Service and RAF seaplane base, and in
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#17328768370832860-428: Was built in the 18th century, and modified in the 19th century with substantial additional 19th/20th century outside batteries. The Fort hosts regular military re-enactments, including Darell's Day , which is a celebration of the last invasion, children's events and open-air theatre. In the two world wars the Fort was variously the HQ of the Harwich Harbour coast and anti-aircraft defences, the signal/control station for
2915-405: Was demolished in 2004, despite a storm of protest from many local people keen on saving the historic building which the council had branded as "unsafe". The station was originally opened in 1877 and was used continuously until 1959, after which it was the site of a small printers for many years until its demolition. From 1877 until 1951 there was also Felixstowe Pier railway station , sited inside
2970-496: Was given retrospectively, during the 13th century, to a place which had expanded to a form beyond the boundaries of Walton alone. In the Domesday Book , for instance, only Walton is shown, and not Felixstowe, which at the time held little more than a few houses scattered over the cliff tops. Walton was a settlement on the River Orwell and in 1844 had a population of 907 compared to the relatively small Felixstowe Parish holding only 502 people. Walton had always preceded Felixstowe as
3025-420: Was purposely demolished by the Royal Engineers to prevent it from being used as an easy landing point for enemy troops. After the war the damage was not repaired and the pier never regained its original length. The pier in its current incarnation features an amusement hall with a gambling section, traditional fish and chips and ice cream kiosks, and a restaurant/bar with indoor and outdoor seating. The deck spans
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