F–Fe/TiO_2 composite photocatalyst was synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal method and then characterized by XRD, XPS and UV–Vis DRS. The catalyst of F–Fe/TiO_2 exhibited the highest photodegradation rate for phenol as compared with pure TiO_2, F/TiO_2, Fe/TiO_2, F0.38–Fe0.13–TiO_2 and Fe(III)/F-TiO_2 under visible light irradiation. The simulated conditions of industrial phenolic wastewater including initial phenol concentration,visible light intensity, p H and different anions were investigated in the presence of F–Fe/TiO_2 photocatalyst. In addition, as expected, the F–Fe/TiO_2 photocatalyst displayed excellent stability, showing a potential industrial application for the treatment of phenolic wastewater.