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Town in Suffolk, England
Photo: LakeKnowledge, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Ipswich is the county town of Suffolk. The Ipswich Waterfront was once known as the largest and most important dock in the kingdom. Mostly recognised for its football club, it has had new developments such as the Waterfront entertainment district, the University Campus Suffolk and new shopping developments.
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A 70-acre park with a mansion (dating from 1548) housing a museum.
Now a branch of the Lakelands chain of stores, its pargetting is definitely worth the walk.
For architecture enthusiasts, the first commercial construction by Norman, now Lord Foster, this building has won numerous awards and was in 1991 made into a Grade I listed building - the youngest building ever to receive such a status. The building is in commercial use and so is not open to the public.
It has merged with the Colchester Museum, opened in 1847. Although it is small compared to any of the London museums, entrance is free and there are some interesting exhibits. The museum is closed for refurbishment as of April 2023.
The Art School Gallery shows exhibitions & provides a stage for local artists to show their work and to showcase the region's artistic talents.
Mediaeval Church
The oldest church in the town has been renovated and is used as an arts and music venue.
13th-16th Century Friary Church
The oldest purpose-built non-conformist chapel in England.
Just missed becoming the Catholic Cathedral for Eastern England.
Music and Arts Venue
"The Tractor Boys" were promoted in 2026 so they now play soccer in the Premier League, the top tier. Their Portman Road Stadium (capacity 30,000) is just west of city centre. Note the statue of Sir Alf Ramsay: as team manager 1955-1962 he led Ipswich Town's swift rise from the lower divisions to English champions, then he went on to take England to their only World Cup victory in 1966. Another statue commemorates Sir Bobby Robson, who both at Ipswich and with England came closest to emulating Ramsay.
On the edge of the town has a dri ski slope and golf driving ranges. This is soon to be overshadowed however by the huge SnOasis development on the edge of the town. When complete this will be the largest indoor real snow ski slope in the world, and will also feature and ice rink, a snowboarding half pipe and many Winter Olympic sport facilities. not to mention many hotels and restaurants.
A growing attraction, this is mainly due to the food! From hog roasts and jacket potatoes to Caribbean and Tunisian cuisine you are never stuck for something to eat.
Thames Barge
The Regent Theatre has featured appearances from, amongst others, The Beatles, Jethro Tull, Rufus Wainright, The Foo Fighters, Ricky Gervais, Deren Brown and Jimmy Carr.
This hosts productions year-round.
Modern British.
Pub offering main dishes
Ipswich's best Chinese restaurant (though the proprietor is Vietnamese); the main problem is booking is required at least a week in advance if you wish to dine on a Friday or Saturday evening.
Zaika is the best Indian restaurant in Ipswich. The menu has a lot of the standard curry house fare on it, but also a very good range of dishes unique to them. Everything is made on the premises from raw ingredients. It's a tad more expensive than most others, but well worth it. You'll need to book to get in.
Opened in 2021, it is a tapas bar.
Chinese restaurant which offers good food right next to the Ipswich Regent Theatre.
An adorably anarchic village pub as they should be. Enjoy fine food next to the loyal followers or the knitting circle or local crabbers group.
Dress up for an impressive dinner served in a sixteenth century manor house. Choose from the most delectable dishes, including cream of Jerusalem artichoke & watercress soup, all using fresh local produce
Despite its name, a good French restaurant. Probably the best restaurant in town, though a bit expensive.
Set in a beautiful historic Georgian townhouse, in the centre of Ipswich. Over 100 craft beers (mostly bottled) available, as well as a large selection of gins and other spirits. Prices can seem steep compared to other public houses nearby, but the clientele and surroundings are superior to much in the area. Food is available on some evenings, and it can become crowded on either Friday or Saturday evenings.
The Dove
A large selection of well-kept ales and regular beer festivals. There is an adjoining B&B as well as a Gin palace.
It is a pub serving a good range of food; its (unlicensed) TVs are only turned on for big football games.
Formerly Suffolk Pub of the Year, it's TV-free, but more importantly has a range of around 20 beers on draught at any one time — a beer drinker's paradise. There is an excellent beer garden and the pub has an arrangement with local take-away restaurants who will deliver food + plates and collect these from the pub direct.
Former hunting lodge turned hotel, this establishment still maintains the same cosiness and relaxing charm. Situated in 9 acres of gardens and offering heated pool, gym, therapeutic spa, and restaurant facilities.
Hotel on the Ipswich docks has been highly recommended as an upmarket alternative to the many Novotel/Holiday Inns available in the town.
Urban eco bed and breakfast, using 100% renewable electricity, among myriad other green features. A great B & B, very comfortable accommodation, also features free wireless broadband.
Victorian property offering bed and breakfast made from local produce.
By train
Ipswich station is on the West Bank of the Orwell River on the intersection between Princes St, Burrell Rd and Ranelagh Rd, about 1 mile from the town centre.
By bus and coach
Old Cattle Market bus station on Falcon Street serves all regional and long-distance bus services.
By car
Ipswich is at the intersections of the A12 (London - Great Yarmouth) and A14 (Felixstowe - Birmingham) highways with several exits along both routes.
By car
Driving around Ipswich is not recommended - traffic is often heavy, the rabbit-warren of one-way streets is confusing and parking can be expensive.
By taxi
Taxis in Ipswich are cheap by British standards.
On Foot
Ipswich town centre is very compact and much of the town-centre is pedestrianised, so walking is often the fastest and most pleasant way of getting around.
By bicycle
Ipswich Borough Council has gone to great lengths to make the town more cycle-friendly, and most major routes into the town centre have cycle or bus lanes, although they are often ignored by…
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