Researchs about Ipswich

Things to do in Ipswich

Ipswich is a vibrant and culturally diverse county town and regional centre with a strong heritage and the new University of Suffolk on the town’s transformed Waterfront.

Christchurch Park

Christchurch Park is Ipswich’s oldest public park, opening in 1895, but was the site of an Augustinian priory as far back as the 12th Century.

Within the park, there are many attractions. There is an upper and lower arboretum – the ‘horticultural gem’ of Ipswich, providing a tranquil setting in which people can relax and reflect. The park is one of the wildlife hubs of the town, and has over 100 species of birds within it, as well as grey squirrels and foxes, and contains a wilderness area, a children’s playground and an outdoor nature classroom. The park has been awarded 11 consecutive Green Flags and is also the centre for outdoor entertainment in Ipswich, with summer concerts, free tennis courts and the historic Christchurch Mansion, open free to the public and with a tea room. To find out more go to the Reg Driver Visitor Centre (Bolton Lane entrance).

Ipswich waterfront
- This iconic area is what makes Ipswich ‘East Anglia’s Waterfront Town’. This vibrant area of the town is alive with restaurants, cafes and bars; all perched on the waters edge. A great place day and night; watch world-class dance at DanceEast, hop on an Orwell River cruise or relax in the sumptuous Salthouse Harbour Hotel.

Ipswich Museum
- Explore Ipswich’s past with stories that will inspire you. This fascinating and unique museum – with FREE entry – gives you the opportunity to meet the famous Wool-I-AM, the woolly mammoth, Rosie the Rhino, the elegant towering giraffe and other wonderful curiosities from the natural world.

Town centre
- This area is perfect for shopping your favourite high-street brands as well some independent shops and boutiques across Sailmakers and The Buttermarket shopping centres plus Tavern Street; the main high street. Ipswich’s Town Hall can be found at the Cornhill and there are many other beautiful, historic buildings to admire including the Ancient House and The Walk.
- pswich town centre has a great range of shopping facilities. Many leading national retailers trade in Ipswich, either on one of the main thoroughfares such as Tavern Street, Westgate Street and the Buttermarket, or in one of the two large shopping complexes – Sailmakers and The Buttermarket Shopping Centre.

Chantry Park
- Chantry Park is the largest town park in Ipswich. It extends over 124 acres of parkland and wildlife areas on the western edge of town.
- Chantry Park has played host to several large music events and is a base for several charity fun runs. The Wildlife and Education Rangers hold events such as nature walks, arts and crafts activities, storytelling and trails for children of all ages. The Friends of Chantry Park are working towards developing some smaller events working closely with ActivLives. ActivLives has an open day every Tuesday from 10am where visitors can purchase plants from the nursery.

Art and History

Ipswich is home to some of most creative, exciting and inspiring art & culture in the east of England; with a ground-breaking dance and theatre scene, a vibrant community of illustrators and photographers and a rich heritage of landscape painters that broke the mould.

New Wolsey Theatre

400 seat theatre and production company with a dynamic programme of drama, comedy, contemporary theatre and, of course, their famous panto!

The New Wolsey Theatre is nationally renowned for the quality and diversity of its productions, both as a sole producer, and in collaboration with a diverse range of artists and companies. With a particular reputation for their incredible musicals, often employing actor-musicians, the New Wolsey is a leading player in the development of new musicals in the UK along with regularly staging world premieres.

Ipswich regent

East Anglia’s largest theatre, a venue for UK and European touring shows and big-name acts from across comedy, music and theatre.

The Ipswich Regent Theatre is the biggest theatre in Ipswich with over 1,500 seats and a long history and bringing the latest entertainment to the people of Ipswich. The theatre opened in 1929 and was one of the first UK theatres to play films with sound. Now, the theatre hosts touring musicals and productions, big-name comedians and popular singers and bands along with family entertainment shows

Danceeast

Home to contemporary dance and performance in the East of England and a regular host to world premieres of internationally-acclaimed choreographers and dance companies.

DanceEast is custodian and curator of the Jerwood DanceHouse, the home of dance in the East of England. Its vision is to make the East of England a place where everyone has the opportunity to engage with great dance. It’s ambition is to raise aspirations and transform lives through a programme of work that champions excellence, engages the public and inspires artists.