Things to do in Ipswich on a rainy day

POSTED ON: 26/10/2020

Don't let a rainy day ruin your plans; there are plenty of things to do in Ipswich to help brighten up a grey day!

Rainy, windy, thundery - not words you usually want to hear when you're planning a day out; but there's no need to let that kind of weather stop you having a great time in Ipswich. From climbing and museums, to racing and movies; there are some great indoor activities and things to do in Ipswich to keep busy no matter the weather.

See a film at the Cinema

Stay in the dry and enjoy one the latest movie releases, a live-streamed theatre show or an indie film. There are three cinemas in Ipswich to visit:

EMPIRE CINEMA, Buttermarket Shopping Centre
14 screen cinema with wall-to-wall IMPACT screens and sofa seats

IPSWICH FILM THEATRE, Corn Exchange, King Street
Independent cinema specialising in world cinema, indie films and artsy releases

CINEWORLD, Cardinal Park
Blockbuster cinema with IMAX and immersive 4DX screenings.

...and why not go out for food before or after your movie!

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Get racing at Anglia Karting

Forget the weather and get the adrenaline pumping at Anglia Karting, the East of England's biggest indoor karting centre.

With an awesome indoor track featuring tight corners, tunnels and super-fast straights across two levels, challenge your friends and family to a thrilling race and become a go-kart champion!

Preview the track on Youtube.

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Relax in a cosy pub or cafe

Grab your favourite magazine, or that book you've been wanting to read, and chill-out in a cosy spot in Ipswich with a warming cuppa and some homemade food.

Here are some of our favourite cosy places in Ipswich for some time-out:

APPLAUD COFFEE, St Peters Street
Independent coffee house with homemade breakfast and lunch

ARCADE TAVERN, Arcade Street
Popular pub/bar; relaxed by day, lively by night

COSY CLUB, Buttermarket Shopping Centre
Eccentric restaurant/lounge

CULT CAFE, Ipswich Waterfront
Homely waterfront cafe with amazing marina views

FISHFACE, THE WALK
Rustic cafe with vegan and gluten-free menus

THE GREYHOUND, Henley Road
Friendly Suffolk pub located by Christchurch park

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Bowling, Ninja Tag and Arcades at Superbowl UK

Perfect if you're in the mood for something active; visit Superbowl UK in the Buttermarket Centre for a range of family-friendly activities including Ten Pin Bowling, Classic Arcade Games and Ninja TAG Active; the assault course arena game!

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Test your nerve in an escape room

Escape the weather and get yourself trapped in one of Ipswich's many escape room or puzzle room experiences.

Test your mental agility and problem-solving skills as you race against the clock to free yourself and your team!

ESCAPE IPSWICH, The Old Unicorn
Six themed escape rooms, either up to 5 or up to 6 people

IPSWICH ESCAPE ROOMS, White House Road
For 2-6 people, 60mins

SUFFOLK FOOD HALL, Wherstead
Three themed puzzle rooms, up to 8 people

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Go swimming at Crown Pools

Fun for the kids, exercise for you. Visit Crown Pools and enjoy the lane pool, leisure pool, wave machine and the other facilities including a gym and sauna.

Perfect indoor activity for a grey day!

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Get climbing

A great activity to burn off some energy, climbing is amazing exercise but also great fun! Scale the heights and get those muscles moving at two of Ipswich's indoor climbing centres:

AVID CLIMBING, Ransomes Industrial Estate
Freestyle rock-climbing centre with ever-changing courses and challenges

CLIP n CLIMB, Ransomes Industrial Estate
Unique wall-climbing centre with a huge range of colouring walls, obstacles and challenges

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Visit a Museum

Visit one of the wonderful museums in and around Ipswich. Many are free to enter and house fascinating and surprising collections of local, world and ancient history artefacts; perfect for kids!

IPSWICH MUSEUM, High Street
Exhibits of Ancient Egyptian, Natural History and World Heritage collections

CHRISTCHURCH MANSION, Christchurch Park
Tudor Mansion with period interiors plus Constable and Gainsborough paintings.

IPSWICH TRANSPORT MUSEUM, Cobham Road
Old bus depot with historic and restored buses, trams, fire engines and more

HMS GANGES MUSEUM, Shotley Gate
Local Royal Navy memorabilia and WW2 exhibits

SUTTON HOO, Woodbridge
Anglo Saxon artefacts and burial ground treasure

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