The town of Ipswich is located in Suffolk, in the East of England. Its proximity to the coast and being only a short drive from London makes it a great base for holidaymakers.
In the Town
Suffolk is the home of famous artists John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough, and Ipswich has a great collection of their work. Make sure you visit the Christchurch Mansion to view the largest collection from the artists outside of London. In addition to work from Constable and Gainsborough, Christchurch Mansion has an authentic Tudor kitchen to visit and numerous Victorian artefacts on display.
The town has a lively market and is a great place for shopping. If you want to stroll round the town exploring then make sure you follow the blue plaque trail to find out which famous people have lived in Ipswich. The plaques are situated outside the former homes of notable residents and the Ipswich Society have put together a map of where the plaques are so you can find them at your leisure.
Alongside discovering which famous people lived in Ipswich you can also take the ‘Artathon’. A trail designed to display the various pieces of art on the streets of Ipswich. The route is a great way to spend a sunny afternoon and gives an insight into the maritime, cultural and sporting heritage of the town.
Around Ipswich
Suffolk has lots to offer and within a short drive of Ipswich are plenty of great places to visit and spend a day. The coast is under an hour’s drive away, but the biggest decision is which part of it to visit.
Aldeburgh is only 30 minutes’ drive away and is known for its delicious fish and chips, consistently considered to be some of the best in the UK. There are also plenty of boutique shops to wander around before you take a stroll along the beach.
Alternatively you could travel further north up the coast to Southwold, home of the Adnams Brewery. There are numerous hotels, restaurants and traditional pubs that are great for an impromptu lunch and some great delicatessens if you want to get yourself a picnic. You can visit the pier and the ‘Alternative Amusements’, featuring home-made machines such as ‘The Gene Forecaster’ and ‘Instant Weight Loss’.
Just over the river from Southwold is Walberswick, famous for its crabbing competition. If you are in the area at the time of the competition, make sure you enter. Walberswick is also a great place to spend a day. The small village has a relaxing atmosphere and a trip to the beach here should be on everyone’s list of things to do.
Away from the coast, you can visit the Saxon burial site of Sutton Hoo. There are numerous artefacts on display here and it is a great place to learn more about the history of the local area. Sutton Hoo is close to the beautiful town of Woodbridge. Situated on the River Deben it is a fantastic place to sit and watch the sun go down before heading back to your base in Ipswich.
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