A guide to Ipswich

Did you know?

  • 1.
    Ipswich was one of the first towns in the UK captured by Vikings.
  • 2.
    The shore is famous for its rows of brightly coloured and highly sought after beach huts.
  • 3.
    Ipswich town football club was founded over 140 years ago.

Ipswich Area

Ipswich is surrounded by two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Suffolk Coast and Heaths and Dedham Vale. The historic town has been occupied since the Saxon period. Ipswich has become a favoured tourist destination with over 3.5 million visitors a year.

Surrounding Villages

  • Playford
    Playford lies in the ‘Fynn Valley’ between Ipswich and Woodbridge. The village residents share the tranquil surrounding green valley, water meadows and historic woodlands.
  • Westerfield
    Westerfield is a village in Suffolk, England. It is situated just north of the centre of Ipswich. The village is served with its own railway station with a direct line into Ipswich town.
  • Tuddenham St Martin
    Tuddenham St Martin is a village within the Suffolk countryside, just outside Ipswich, on the River Fynn. The village sits between Playford and Westerfield where the nearest railway station can be found.
  • Witnesham
    Witnesham is a village to the north of Ipswich, Suffolk. It is surrounded by farmland and near the source of the River Fynn.
  • Ashbocking
    Ashbocking is a village located north of the town of Ipswich. The Ashbocking All Saints church dates back to the 14th Century.
  • Hintlesham
    Hintlesham is situated halfway between Ipswich and Hadleigh. Hintlesham Hall, a 16th-century Grade I listed country house was restored and turned into a hotel by a famous chef.

Lifestyle

  • Shopping

    Ipswich is fast becoming a hub for independent shopping, boasting an eclectic mix of boutiques, home and giftware stores and great artisan coffee. Combined with a trip to the main high street, surrounding the Cornhill, it's a perfect destination for a great day of retail therapy.

  • Eating

    Mariners Restaurant

    Classic brasserie fare on a renovated 1899 boat with elegant, wood-lined interior and marina views.

    Takayama Restaurant

    Warm, easy-going eatery featuring a range of Korean & Japanese dishes such as teriyaki & sushi rolls.

    Bistro on the Quay

    Airy former warehouse, with floor-to-ceiling windows and exposed beams, serving international fare.

    Casablanca

    Warm, casual eatery offering a selection of refined & classic Lebanese & Moroccan dishes.

    Aqua Eight

    Award-winning, creative pan-Asian restaurant serving cocktails in a chic, modern space.

  • Drinking

    Arcade Street Tavern

    A unique craft beer house in a historic Georgian town house in the centre of Ipswich with two bars, courtyard garden and over 200 craft beers and gins.

    Butt and Oyster

    Ten minutes outside Ipswich the Butt and Oyster sits along the banks of the River Orwell, with large patio area, serving kegged ale and traditional fare.

    The Fat Cat Freehouse

    A small, friendly free house serving a wide selection of real ales, served straight from the cash for their temperature controlled tap room.

Travel

  • Trains
    Ipswich to London Liverpool Street in 1 hour and 14 minutes.
  • Other transport

    Easy access to both A12 running east up the coast and to London in the west. As well as the A14 to Bury St Edmunds and Cambridge and Felixstowe eastwards.