The oldest Anglo-Saxon town in England sits along River Orwell, with medieval streets, Tudor mansions, and a 7th-century royal burial site at Sutton Hoo nearby.
Ipswich is Suffolk's largest town, with a marina and waterfront district along the River Orwell. You can walk through the 82-acre Christchurch Park to see the 500-year-old Christchurch Mansion, watch performances at the New Wolsey Theatre, or take a boat trip past the town's riverside buildings on the Sailing Barge Victor. The Saints district has streets lined with independent shops, while the Ipswich Museum holds Anglo-Saxon weapons and jewelry from the region's past.
Exploring the Waterfront District
Modern apartment buildings and converted merchant warehouses line the River Orwell's edge. More than 100 boats and yachts dock at the marina throughout the year. You'll find cafes and restaurants on the ground floors of the renovated buildings. Take a river cruise on the Sailing Barge Victor or the Orwell Lady to see the river's path through Suffolk. The University of Suffolk campus brings students to this former industrial area.
Arts and Cultural Venues
The 400-seat New Wolsey Theatre puts on original productions and touring shows year-round. DanceEast, located at the waterfront, presents contemporary dance performances and holds workshops for beginners through advanced dancers. At the Ipswich Museum, you can examine Anglo-Saxon weapons, jewelry, and natural history exhibits. The gallery space in Christchurch Mansion contains more than 50 paintings by Constable and Gainsborough.
Getting Around Ipswich
Trains leave for London Liverpool Street at 09 and 43 minutes past each hour, taking about 70 minutes. Local buses depart from Tower Ramparts Bus Station every 10-15 minutes during the day. For regional travel to Felixstowe, Woodbridge, and other Suffolk towns, catch buses at the Old Cattle Market bus station. When driving into town, look for signs to the Crown Car Park or Cromwell Square Car Park.
Parks and Green Spaces
In Christchurch Park, you can walk through formal gardens and an arboretum, or use the children's play area and five tennis courts. The paths lead past centuries-old oak and chestnut trees to the Tudor-era Christchurch Mansion. The Ipswich Arts Festival fills the park with outdoor performances and art installations each July. Many visitors stop at the park's pond to watch waterfowl or take afternoon walks.
Shopping Areas
More than 50 independent retailers sell vintage clothing, artisanal foods, and other goods along St Nicholas' and St Peter's Streets in The Saints district. In the main shopping area, you'll find three indoor centers: Sailmakers with fashion stores, Buttermarket with shops and restaurants, and Carr Street Microshops with local traders. On Tuesdays and Fridays, the market on Cornhill sells fresh produce from Suffolk farms.
