Landguard Fort
Felixstowe, Suffolk
The fort where the Royal Marines fought their first land battle, with a container port on one side and a nature reserve on the other, and a water bowl for your dog.
This is where the last opposed seaborne invasion of England was stopped. In 1667 a Dutch force landed here and was repulsed by the Royal Marines in their first ever land battle. The fort you visit was built in the 18th century and heavily modified afterwards, right through to the Second World War, so you work through a warren of gun emplacements, magazines, tunnels and casemates rather than a single building.
Whilst you work through the casemates, your dog gets a genuinely odd and rather brilliant location: the fort sits on the point at the mouth of the Orwell with Felixstowe's container port towering on one side and a nature reserve on the other, so vast ships move past at close range while waders feed on the shingle.
The dog policy is specific. Dogs are welcome on leads except in the gift shop and the tearoom, assistance dogs on leads are welcome throughout, and there is a water bowl on site. Parking is three Blue Badge spaces in front of the fort, with public pay and display nearby. Café, shop, toilets, museum, exhibition and picnic seating available.
At a Glance
- Dog Access
- On-lead in the grounds
- Assistance dogs on leads are welcome. Other dogs are welcome on leads except in the gift shop and the tearoom. A water bowl is available for dogs.
- Site Type
- Castle & Fort
- Entry
- Paid entry
- Members
- Free for English Heritage members
- Facilities
- Café / restaurant, Exhibition, Gardens, Museum, Parking, Picnic seating, Shop, Toilets, Wheelchair access
- Telephone
- 01394 675900 to book group tours
- Parking
- Three designated spaces in small car park directly in front of fort for blue badge holders only. Public pay-and-display car parking, not managed by English Heritage, can be found opposite the fort (across the road, approximately 50 metres away).
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Planning Your Visit
Opening times and prices were checked on 26 August 2026 and are subject to change, and some sites close for events or over winter. Confirm on the English Heritage site page before you travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Landguard Fort dog friendly?
Yes, dogs are welcome at Landguard Fort on leads throughout the site. The only exceptions are the gift shop and tearoom, where dogs are not permitted, though assistance dogs on leads are welcome everywhere. There's even a water bowl on site, which is a thoughtful touch.
Are dogs allowed at Landguard Fort year round?
The location data doesn't specify any seasonal restrictions on dogs at Landguard Fort, so there's nothing to suggest access changes throughout the year. It's always worth checking directly with the fort before your visit to confirm current arrangements.
What should I know before visiting Landguard Fort with my dog?
Keep your dog on a lead at all times, and bear in mind they won't be able to join you in the gift shop or tearoom. Parking is limited — there are just three Blue Badge spaces directly in front of the fort, with public pay-and-display parking available opposite, roughly 50 metres away. On the plus side, the setting is genuinely spectacular: giant container ships pass at close range on one side while waders feed on the shingle of the adjacent nature reserve on the other.
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