Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club

Private Dining & Afternoon Tea

Sometimes the smaller occasions matter most

Not every celebration needs a party.

Sometimes you simply want to gather a group of people around a table, enjoy good food and have enough time and space to properly catch up.

At Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club, we can host smaller gatherings, private lunches, afternoon teas and special meals in a wonderfully relaxed waterside setting.

Overlooking the River Deben towards Bawdsey and the North Sea, it’s somewhere that makes even a relatively simple get-together feel a little more special.

Gather around the table

Private dining can work beautifully for occasions that sit somewhere between going out for lunch and organising a full-scale event.

Perhaps you’re celebrating an anniversary or birthday, bringing several generations of the family together, arranging a reunion or simply looking for somewhere different for a special lunch.

Tell us what you’re planning and we’ll help you work out an arrangement that suits your group.

No unnecessary fuss. Just good food, good company and a lovely place to enjoy both.

Enquire About a Party or Celebration
Table set for afternoon tea with scones, finger sandwiches, a teapot, tea cup, glass of water, and plant, overlooking a lake through large windows.

Afternoon tea by the water

There is something rather lovely about taking time over afternoon tea — particularly when you’ve got the River Deben outside the window.

Afternoon tea can work particularly well for birthdays, family gatherings, smaller celebrations and groups looking for a more relaxed daytime occasion.

Talk to us about your group, preferred date and any particular requirements and we’ll let you know what we can offer.

Food from Thyme & Tide

Food and hospitality are provided by our Thyme & Tide restaurant team.

We can discuss the style of your gathering, food and refreshments, dietary requirements and any particular requests with you beforehand.

The aim is to make hosting easy.

You bring the people you want around the table. We’ll help take care of the rest.

Plan something special

If you have an occasion in mind, get in touch.

Tell us approximately how many people you’re bringing, when you’d like to visit and what you’re hoping to arrange, and we’ll talk you through the possibilities.

A dining table set with three empty wine glasses, a potted succulent, a bottle of red wine, a bowl of green peas, a plate of fish and chips with lemon wedges, a small dish of tartar sauce, and salt and pepper shakers, positioned in front of large windows overlooking a river and distant houses.
Enquire About a Party or Celebration

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

    what3words ///seashell.occur.seeing

    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