Want to go out and explore Ipswich but don’t necessarily have a lot of money to do so? Don’t worry! There are plenty of interesting opportunities to explore for free in Ipswich. Here is a guide to some of our favourite free places and activities available that all the family will love to get involved in.
Visit a beautiful Tudor mansion situated in the grounds of Christchurch Park, which offers over 500 years of history and intrigue. The mansion holds the biggest collection of Suffolk’s’ gems John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough outside of London alongside some artworks by Pissarro and Picasso. If you’re not interested in art the mansion also holds period rooms from the Tudor Kitchen to the Tudor wing and everything in between!
There are plenty of rooms to explore inside as well as the park and gardens.
Ipswich is lucky to have some of UK’s best town parks, with Holywells Park (and Christchurch Park) near the town centre each having Green Flag Awards!
Holywell’s park has the Stables coffee shop, a playground, walking route and plenty of open green spaces lined with beautiful trees. This is very much a woodland park, so enjoy nature a short walk from the town centre and waterfront.
Ipswich Minster (formerly St. Mary Le Tower) is the civic church In the heart of town in Tower Street. The site of St. Mary-Le-Tower dates to medieval times, with the first church on these grounds being built in the 12th century. As a public community building it offers a welcoming space for visitors and is beautiful inside.
The Hold, near Ipswich Waterfront, hosts free exhibitions and displays throughout the year. It’s home to important local archives, so there is always something interesting to discover in this building. Pop in and see what’s on display, we are confident you will be pleasantly surprised at what you find on show!
Ipswich is home to some amazing historic buildings, why not take the time to walk around the town and look up to see some of these treasures? The Saints (St Peter Street and St Nicholas Street) plus Silent Street for Tudor facades, The Cornhill and Walk in the town centre plus Dial Lane and Buttermarket (for The Ancient House) and of course not forgetting the former Great White Horse Hotel on the corner of Tavern Street and Northgate Street where Charles Dickens stayed and mentions in The Pickwick Papers!
Ipswich’s Waterfront is a stunning place to walk around at any time of the year to enjoy fresh air by the water’s edge. Spanning from Stoke Bridge all the way round to the lock gates. A leisurely stroll is great for the mind and body. Stoke Bridge Wharf and The Old Custom House both have public information boards in place detailing the history of Ipswich Docks and the Waterfront. A walk around the Waterfront really emphasises the old buildings and new development here.
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Brought to you by Ipswich Central, the Business Improvement District (BID) for the town centre and waterfront thanks to Ipswich Borough Council and Towns Deal funding.
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