The Fludyer Arms Hotel
History
Can you help? - we are always looking for any information and background to the history of the hotel. Please contact us at fludyers@btconnect.com
The Fludyer name comes from Sir Samuel Fludyer - grandson of the better known
Sir Samuel Fludyer (1705-1768) the Lord Mayor of London in 1760.
Sir Samuel (the grandson) developed 'Fishermans Cottage' (originally owned by the the Lt. Governor of Landguard Fort) into Felixstowe Lodge.
The Lodge was purchased by the Cobbold Family (hence 'Cottage Point' became todays 'Cobbolds Point') and replaced by a Tudor Style Mansion in the late 1880's. This building became the heart of Uplands School in 1927, later part of the now defunct Felixstowe College.
The original Fludyer (or Fludyers ?) Arms is a wooden building dating (according to the History Gazateer and Directory of Suffolk 1844) from at least 1839.
The Licensee was noted as a William Smith, operator of Bathing Machines (on the Beach) and hot and cold (salt)water baths.
The building was also a Post Office with mail from Ipswich arriving at 8am and being distributed by 9am.
The current brick building was built in 1903 and both brick and timber buildings obviously co-existed alongside each other for a time. A stable block, which is now part of the hotel as a garage / storage area was built behind the wooden structure.
During 1940/1941 we understand a light gun (machine gun ?) was installed in the restaurant overlooking the beach - if anyone has any pictures? - we would be delighted to learn more.
Special thanks to Mr John Powley for the historical research. CSS Design by Andreas Viklund.