Suffolk

Heart of Ipswich

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Overview

Explore the Heart of Ipswich with a walking tour. Step down hill from Christchurch Mansion through the town contrasting the history of Ipswich Museum, The Ancient House and St. Peter’s Street with the glass listed building of Willis Towers Watson finishing at the bustling waterfront for refreshments. Finally, head to the bustling waterfront and enjoy fine food or a luxurious stay at the likes of Salthouse Harbour Hotel which overlooks the Neptune Marina.

Christchurch Park

70 acres of green parkland, gardens and woods in the centre of Ipswich with an arboretum, waterfowl, museum, gallery and monuments including war memorials, Burton Fountain and The Brett Fountain. Also Tennis courts, bowling green, children’s playground and refreshments are available.

Christchurch Mansion

The spectacular mansion house dates from the mid 16th century and houses the largest collection of Gainsborough and Constable paintings outside of London. You can explore the period rooms including the Tudor kitchen, Georgian saloon, Victorian Wing and other exhibitions.

Ipswich Museum

Charting Suffolk’s history and containing exhibits from around the world Ipswich museum has a variety of collections to view including the Ogilvie British Bird Gallery and Suffolk Geology Gallery. Be sure to introduce yourself to the woolly mammoth model!

The Corn Exchange

Situated on the Corn Hill also known as Market Hill in the centre of Ipswich, the Corn Exchange is a large impressively decorated building with high ceilings built in 1882 replacing the original structure dating from 1812.

Giles Circus

Giles Circus contains a statute unveiled in 1993 of the Daily Express’s cartoonist and illustrator’s character Grandma looking up at the window where Carl Giles once worked. It will make you smile.

The Ancient House

The Ancient House, or Sparrowes House dates from the mid 16th century and is situated in the Buttermarket area. Used today as a retail shop the building is decorated with detailed pargeting and wooden carvings.

Willis Towers Watson

Designed by the renowned architect Norman Foster and built in the 1970’s the listed glass building is an iconic Ipswich landmark. The office building was built with a swimming pool in the basement and insulating roof garden. In 1990 it became the youngest Grade 1 listed building in Britain.

Cardinal Wolsey Statue

The life size bronze statue of Cardinal Wolsey unveiled in 2011 is situated in historic St. Peter’s Street, yards from where it is believed he lived. St. Peter’s Street hosts many impressive Tudor buildings amongst the cafes and restaurants.

Old Customs House

The Old Customs House was designed by John Medland Clark and dates back to 1845. The building sits on the waterfront and is impressively decorated with stone columns and balustrades and is ornately decorated internally.

Ipswich Marina

Once at the heart of the trading port the Neptune Marina is now a bustling vibrant waterfront combining historic buildings, with residential accommodation, restaurants and bars overlooking the water.

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What to see and do…

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Moon & Mushroom | Suffolk

High Road, Swilland, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP6 9LR

Folk | Suffolk

Folk, Fornham Business Court, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31 1SL

Scarffs Farms Burnt House Vineyard | Suffolk

Bildeston Road , Little Finborough, Suffolk, IP14 2NF

Doves Barn | Suffolk

Stowmarket Road, Badley, Needham Market, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP6 8RJ

The Limes Hotel & Bar | Suffolk

99 High St, Needham Market, Suffolk, IP6 8DQ

Landguard Fort | Suffolk

View Point Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 3TW

The Foxes Den Coffee House & Rooms | Stay | Suffolk

Further Street, Assington, Suffolk, CO10 5LD

The Foxes Den Coffee House & Rooms | Eat | Suffolk

Further Street, Assington, Suffolk, CO10 5LD

About the Heart of Ipswich Trail

Distance:5 miles
Cities / Towns:10
Number Of Businesses:237

Enjoy the acres of green space in Christchurch Park and the historic Christchurch mansion before heading into Ipswich. Visit the life size mammoth, Wool.I.am, at Ipswich Museum and then descend to town centre Corn Exchange on the Cornhill. Take in the Giles Circus and Cardinal Wolsey statutes and the 15th century Ancient House in the Buttermarket area. Head along historic St. Peter’s Street and make for the lively atmosphere of the Ipswich marina waterfront, home to the magnificent Customs House, for something to eat or drink. Be sure to read our Suffolk guides and What’s on in Suffolk article to find out more about the beautiful county and the latest events in the area.

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Cycling
Free to Do
History
Pet Friendly
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Wheel Chair Access

Historic Ipswich

Step back in time and explore historic Ipswich. Whether it is the 14th century Ancient House or Robert Withipoll’s 16th century Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich has a lot to offer – walk along St. Peter’s Street to see some of the town’s oldest buildings.

Family Entertainment

Visit the Ipswich Museum or the Ipswich Transport Museum filled with bygone vehicles. The more energetic can swim, trampoline or take walk in the park and woodland of Christchurch Park. Looking for shops? - there are two shopping centres and a range of individual boutiques.

Vibrant Quayside

Enjoy the lively marina and quayside atmosphere at Ipswich Waterfront. Explore the blend of historic buildings and restaurants or grab a drink at one of the bars overlooking the boats moored on the water.

Also Nearby

Moon & Mushroom | Suffolk

High Road, Swilland, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP6 9LR

Folk | Suffolk

Folk, Fornham Business Court, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31 1SL

Scarffs Farms Burnt House Vineyard | Suffolk

Bildeston Road , Little Finborough, Suffolk, IP14 2NF

Doves Barn | Suffolk

Stowmarket Road, Badley, Needham Market, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP6 8RJ

The Limes Hotel & Bar | Suffolk

99 High St, Needham Market, Suffolk, IP6 8DQ

Landguard Fort | Suffolk

View Point Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk, IP11 3TW

The Foxes Den Coffee House & Rooms | Stay | Suffolk

Further Street, Assington, Suffolk, CO10 5LD

The Foxes Den Coffee House & Rooms | Eat | Suffolk

Further Street, Assington, Suffolk, CO10 5LD

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