Visit Ipswich Places

Welcome to Visit Ipswich Places
The Walkfo guide to things to do & explore in Ipswich

  

Ipswich Places Overview: History, Culture & Facts about Ipswich

---

Ipswich history

---

Ipswich is one of England’s oldest towns, and is claimed to be the oldest still continuing town to have been established and developed by the English. The town has continuous settlement since early Anglo-Saxon times.

Roman settlement

Under the Roman empire, the area around Ipswich formed an important route inland to rural towns and settlements via the rivers Orwell and Gipping . A large Roman fort, part of the coastal defences of Britain, stood at Walton near Felixstowe (13 miles, 21 km) and the largest Roman villa in Suffolk (possibly an administrative complex) stood at Castle Hill (north-west Ipswich).

Middle Ages

The modern town took shape in Anglo-Saxon times (7th–8th centuries) around the Port of Ipswich . As the coastal states of north-western Europe emerged from the collapse of the Roman Empire, North Sea trade and communication between eastern Britain and the continent passed through the former Roman ports of London and York .

Early-modern era

Ipswich was a kontor for the Hanseatic League during the 14th to 17th centuries . During the time of Queen Mary the Ipswich Martyrs were burnt at the stake on the Cornhill for their Protestant beliefs . The town was a major centre for emigration to New England during the 1630s .

19th and 20th centuries

Dr George Birkbeck founded one of the first Mechanics’ Institutes in Ipswich in 1824 . The building, at 15 Tavern Street, has been the site of the library since 1836 .

21st century

Ipswich has experienced a building boom in the early part of the 21st century . Construction has mainly concentrated around the former industrial dock which is now known as the Ipswich Waterfront . Regeneration to the area has made it a hub of culture in Ipswich .

Ipswich culture & places

Ipswich is home to many artists and has a number of galleries. The Borough Council promotes the creation of new public works of art. The town has three museums: Ipswich Museum, the Ipswich Transport Museum and Christchurch Mansion.

You can visit Ipswich places with Walkfo Ipswich to hear history at Ipswich’s places whilst walking around using the free digital tour app. Walkfo Ipswich has 124 places to visit in our interactive Ipswich map, with amazing history, culture & travel facts you can explore the same way you would at a museum or art gallery with information audio headset. With Walkfo, you can travel by foot, bike or bus throughout Ipswich, being in the moment, without digital distraction or limits to a specific walking route. Our historic audio walks, National Trust interactive audio experiences, digital tour guides for English Heritage locations are available at Ipswich places, with a AI tour guide to help you get the best from a visit to Ipswich & the surrounding areas.

“Curated content for millions of locations across the UK, with 124 audio facts unique to Ipswich places in an interactive Ipswich map you can explore.”

Walkfo: Visit Ipswich Places Map
124 tourist, history, culture & geography spots

---

–

Ipswich historic spots	Ipswich tourist destinations	Ipswich plaques	Ipswich geographic features
Walkfo Ipswich tourism map key: places to see & visit like National Trust sites, Blue Plaques, English Heritage locations & top tourist destinations in Ipswich

  

Best Ipswich places to visit

---

Ipswich has places to explore by foot, bike or bus. Below are a selection of the varied Ipswich’s destinations you can visit with additional content available at the Walkfo Ipswich’s information audio spots:

Ipswich Racecourse Ipswich Racecourse is an area of Ipswich in Suffolk, England, that was formerly a racecourse from 1710 to 1911 . It is located in the Ipswich area of Suffolk .

Rushmere Common Rushmere Common (also Rushmere Heath) is common land on the eastern outskirts of Ipswich . It is predominately heathland, gorse and woodland, and hosts a golf course . It adjoins the Sandlings Open Space to the east (which is owned and managed by Suffolk Coastal Council)

Margaret Catchpole Public House The Margaret Catchpole Public House is a Grade II* listed building . Built in 1936 by the local architect Harold Ridley Hooper for Tolly Cobbold brewery . Most of its interior features have remained unaltered since the 1930s .

Alexandra Park, Ipswich Alexandra Park is situated between Grove Lane, Kings Avenue and Back Hamlet, Ipswich . Alexandra Park was built in the 1960s and 1970s .

Goldrood House Goldrood House is a Grade II listed building in Chantry, Ipswich, Suffolk . The building is currently part of St Joseph’s College .

Grafton House Grafton House is located on Russell Road (Ipswich) opposite Endeavour House . The building consists of mixed retail units at ground level including a coffee shop and 60,000 sq feet of office space .

Willis Building (Ipswich) The Willis Building is one of the earliest buildings designed by Norman Foster and Wendy Cheesman after establishing Foster Associates . Constructed between 1970 and 1975 for Willis Towers Watson, it is now seen as a landmark in the development of the ‘high tech’ architectural style .

Buttermarket Centre, Ipswich The Buttermarket Centre is a four-level, £65 million shopping centre in Ipswich, Suffolk . The centre was opened on 1 October 1992, comprising 270,000 square feet (25,000 m) over four levels . There is also a 430-space underground car park covering two levels under the centre .

Belstead Brook Hotel Belstead Brook Hotel in Ipswich, Suffolk is a building of historical significance . It was originally a 16th-century hunting lodge but was used later as a family residence . The property was then converted to a hotel which now provides accommodation and restaurant facilities .

St Lawrence Church, Ipswich St Lawrence Church is a Grade II* listed church in Ipswich, Suffolk, that is now used as a community centre . The 15th-century church has the oldest ring of five church bells in the world .

Visit Ipswich plaques