Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club

Celebrations of Life & Funeral Receptions

A peaceful place to come together

When someone dies, arranging a gathering afterwards can feel like one more thing on an already difficult list.

At Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club, we can provide a calm, welcoming place for family and friends to come together, share memories and spend time with one another.

Overlooking the River Deben and surrounded by the distinctive landscape of Felixstowe Ferry, the club offers an informal alternative to a traditional function venue.

Whether you call it a wake, funeral reception or celebration of life, we’ll help you create something appropriate for the person you’re remembering and the people coming together to remember them.

We’ll keep things straightforward

At a time like this, you shouldn’t have to organise every tiny detail.

Tell us approximately how many people you’re expecting and the kind of gathering you would like, and our team can help you work through the practical arrangements.

Some families want a simple reception with tea, coffee and something to eat. Others want to spend longer together over food and drinks, photographs, stories and memories.

There isn’t a right way to do it.

We’ll listen to what you need and help you make the gathering feel right for you.

Enquire About a Celebration of Life
An elegantly decorated dining and lounge area with floral centerpieces, wine, glasses, and table settings, overlooking a river outside windows.

Food and refreshments

Our Thyme & Tide team can provide food and refreshments for your guests, with options depending on the size and nature of your gathering.

We can also discuss dietary requirements and any particular requests with you beforehand.

Our bar and restaurant team will be there on the day, allowing you to concentrate on your family and guests rather than worrying about hospitality.

Somewhere with space to remember

The setting at Felixstowe Ferry can feel particularly appropriate for a celebration of life.

There is water, open sky and a constantly changing landscape beyond the windows, with space outside to walk, talk and simply take a moment if you need one.

For people with connections to sailing, the sea, Felixstowe or the River Deben, it can have particular meaning.

But you don’t need any previous connection to the club.

You are very welcome here.

Talk to us

You may not know exactly what you need when you first contact us. That’s absolutely fine.

Tell us what you know — the date, approximate number of guests and anything that’s particularly important to you — and we’ll help you work through the rest.

An elegantly set indoor dining area with a round table covered in a beige tablecloth, surrounded by cushioned chairs. The table is set with glasses, utensils, and a centerpiece featuring candles. Large windows offer a view of a body of water with a pier outside. Overhead, pendant lights hang from the ceiling, illuminating the room.
Enquire About a Celebration of Life

Plan Your Visit

Everything you need to know about eating, celebrating or holding an event at Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club from opening times and bookings to dietary requirements, finding us and planning something special.

  • Wednesday evening
    18:00 to 22:00
    Members and guests only.

    Saturday lunchtime
    12:00 to 15:00
    Members, guests and the public.

    Sunday lunchtime
    12:00 to 16:00
    Members, guests and the public

    Opening times and menus can vary around special events and the sailing calendar, so please check our latest information before travelling.

  • Booking is strongly recommended, particularly for Sunday lunch.

    VISIT OUR BOOKING PORTAL

    To enquire about booking the venue for your special occasion email bar@ffsc.co.uk or telephone: 07435 697318 or 01394 283785.

  • Non-members are very welcome to dine with us at weekends. You don’t have to be a sailor to eat at Thyme & Tide either.

    The restaurant welcomes everyone on Saturdays and Sundays, while Wednesday evening dining is available to Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club members and their guests.

    Club members also receive a discount on food and drink.

  • Our menus change regularly, allowing the kitchen team to make the most of the season and keep things interesting for our regular diners.

    Our latest menus and special dining events are available here and shared through the Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club social channels.

    Sunday is home to our popular Best Roast nearest to the Coast, with a choice of starters, mains and desserts.

  • We want everyone to be able to enjoy eating with us.

    We can accommodate a range of dietary requirements, including vegetarian options and other special dietary needs. Please tell us about any allergies, intolerances or dietary requirements when you book, so that the team can discuss what is available and prepare appropriately.

    If you have a serious food allergy, please speak directly to the team before ordering.

  • You’ll find us in a rather special spot at Felixstowe Ferry, overlooking the River Deben, Bawdsey and the North Sea.

    Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club
    The Ferry
    Felixstowe
    Suffolk
    IP11 9RZ

    Directions

    Google Maps Link

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    Allow yourself a little time to enjoy the view when you arrive, it’s very much part of the experience. You may park for free in our carpark.

  • If you or one of your guests has particular accessibility requirements, please contact us before your visit.

    We would much rather have a conversation beforehand and make sure we understand what you need.

  • Families are very welcome.

    Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club is a community club, and Thyme & Tide is part of that community. If you’re bringing younger children or have particular requirements, simply let the team know when booking.

Elegant banquet hall with tables set for a meal, featuring white tablecloths, floral centerpieces, wine bottles, wine glasses, and place settings, overlooking a body of water through large windows.

Let’s talk about your plans

Planning something at Felixstowe Ferry? We’d love to hear from you.

Tell us a little about what you have in mind using the form below, and our team will be in touch to discuss the possibilities.

  • The setting was absolutely beautiful. We wanted somewhere relaxed where our families could actually spend time together, and having the river right outside made the whole day feel incredibly special.

    Sarah & James — Wedding Reception

  • The team made a difficult day so much easier for us. Everything was taken care of quietly and thoughtfully, which meant we could simply concentrate on being with family and friends.

    Helen M. — Celebration of Life

  • We booked the club for my husband’s 60th and it was exactly what we’d hoped for — great food, a brilliant atmosphere and plenty of space for everyone to catch up. The views were a huge bonus!

    Rachel T. — Birthday Celebration

  • We held our team day here and it made such a change from a hotel meeting room. We got everything we needed to get done, had a really good lunch and being able to step outside beside the water completely changed the feel of the day.

    David P. — Company Away Day

  • From our first conversation to the day itself, everything felt easy and personal. Nothing felt like a standard package — the team listened to what we wanted and helped us create something that genuinely felt like ours.

    Emma & Tom — Private Celebration