Welcome to England's oldest Anglo-Saxon town.
Ipswich is a one of the oldest towns in England and has a rich heritage to explore; from maritime trade and Viking invasion to Royal connections, Cardinal Thomas Wolsey and the Industrial Revolution.
Throughout the town centre there are medieval churches, wonky Tudor houses and grand Victorian buildings, all with stories and secrets to discover. Marvel the Tudor grandeur of Christchurch Mansion, hear the world's oldest ring of bells at St Lawrence Church, search for the world's third oldest door at St Mary-le-Tower, wander the historic streets and visit the medieval pubs.
At Ipswich Museum you can discover thousands of years of history brought back to with natural history and ancient history exhibits including Ice Age specimens, Egyptian mummies and local Anglo-Saxon artefacts, including some from the historic Sutton Hoo hoard.
More modern but equally stunning is the Willis Towers Watson building, an iconic feature of Ipswich created by Norman (now Lord) Foster and the most recent grade I listed building in the country.
Bringing Ipswich up to date is the University of Suffolk on the stunning waterfront, part of Ipswich's Innovation Quarter and also adding to the transformation of this area. Alongside the quays are the Jerwood DanceHouse, Salthouse Harbour Hotel, floating restaurant and marinas.
All can easily be enjoyed on foot over a weekend, or spread your exploration over a longer stay in the area.
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St Clements Church
Built mainly in the 14th and early 15th Centuries, this handsome church was known as the ‘sailors church’. The walls and the elegant tower reveal the attractions of dark knapped flintwork....
St John's Church
Sir Arthur Blomfield’s magnificent Victorian edifice replaced an earlier flint built church that had been-built at the same time as the Freehold Land Society developed ‘California’. St John’s has an...
St Peter's by the Waterfront
One of Ipswich's ancient mariner churches.St Peter’s by the Waterfront is medieval church located in The Saints area of Ipswich and a short walk from the historic Waterfront....
Suffolk Aviation Heritage Display Centre
Suffolk Aviation Heritage Display Centre is being developed to promote a wider understanding, within the general public, of the County’s vast aviation related history. Together with...
Suffolk Coast & Heaths AONB
The Suffolk Coast & Heaths Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) is an outstanding landscape along the Suffolk and north Essex coast, including the wildlife-rich estuaries of the Stour and Orwell...
Sutton Hoo
Anglo-Saxon royal burial site A hauntingly beautiful 255-acre estate, with far-reaching views over the River Deben, home to one of the greatest archaeological discoveries of all time. Walk around...
The Ancient House
The Ancient House, also known as Sparrowe’s House, is a Grade I listed building dating from the 15th century located in the Buttermarket area. In 1980 the building was acquired and restored by...
The Food Museum
The UK’s Food Museum "Our mission is to connect people with where our food comes from and the impact of our choices: past, present and future. We all eat. Food is culture and is an avenue for...
The Giles Statue
The Giles Statue, also known as 'The Grandma Statue', depicts the popular cartoon family from famous Ipswich-based illustrator Carl Giles, Britain's best loved cartoonist Carl Giles drew...