Ipswich Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Ipswich showing a small town or village
Built on a strong trading past, this port town retains historic charm and has grown to be an appealing cultural center.

Understand the reason for Ipswich’s long history as you stand at the Waterfront where shipbuilding and trading began nearly 1,000 years ago. The rather stern-looking Customs House is a reminder of the town’s mercantile past. Today this area has excellent shopping and dining just a short walk from the University of Suffolk.

Celebrating its long history, Ipswich’s museums appeal to varied interests. Bring kids to the Ipswich Museum to see taxidermied animals and learn about 70 millions years of history in the local area and other countries. Climb aboard all types of vehicles at the Transport Museum. The Ancient House, built in the late 1500s, displays fascinating exterior plaster decoration known as pargeting. Christchurch Mansion, of the same vintage, offers a peek into the past in a Tudor home now containing the Wolsey Art Gallery.

New Wolsey Theatre is much more modern, offering original plays, music, pantomime and other performances. See the Willis Building, constructed in 1975, with a sleek modern appearance but walls curved to match the path of the town’s medieval streets.

Thomas Wolsey, whose name appears throughout the town, is one of Ipswich’s most famous former residents. Wolsey’s Gate is the only remaining part of a school that he founded in the early 1500s. See the Cardinal Thomas Wolsey statue depicting this educator seated in flowing robes and extending a hand to encourage students.

The Question Mark sculpture is a more modern work of art, also intended to serve as motivation for students in its position outside the Waterfront Building of the University Campus Suffolk. Surrounding the university area, look for lively pubs and cafés serving students and faculty.

Ipswich is a Suffolk County port town on the River Orwell, leading to the North Sea. Drive here from London in less than 2 hours or take a train in 2 to 3 hours. While you’re here delve into the town’s fascinating past and enjoy all the amenities of a thriving modern city and cultural center.

Where to stay in Ipswich

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Whitton

Check out the historical sites, restaurants and spas while spending some time in Whitton. Though there might not be many attractions in the neighbourhood, you won't need to go far to find top spots like Ipswich Museum or Crown Pools.

Whitton
pentahotel Ipswich
pentahotel Ipswich
4 out of 5
Ranelagh Road, Ipswich, England
The price is ₹3,945 per night from 28 Apr to 29 Apr
₹3,945
per night
28 Apr - 29 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Ipswich. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in ...
7.8/10 Good! (998 reviews)
"ok"

Reviewed on 26 Mar 2024

pentahotel Ipswich
Muthu Belstead Brook Hotel
Muthu Belstead Brook Hotel
3 out of 5
Belstead Road, Ipswich, England
The price is ₹5,953 per night from 23 Apr to 24 Apr
₹5,953
per night
23 Apr - 24 Apr
Stay at this 3-star spa hotel in Ipswich. Enjoy a marina, 2 bars/lounges and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
7.8/10 Good! (1,004 reviews)
"Fantastic stay which exceeded expectation. A beautiful hotel with lots of character. The staff are extremely helpful and friendly. The pool, sauna, jacuzzi were outstanding. The rooms were clean, well equipped and comfortable. Great selection of food which was all top notch. Ample parking. Would ..."

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

Muthu Belstead Brook Hotel
Holiday Inn Ipswich, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Ipswich, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
London Road, Ipswich, England
The price is ₹4,769 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
₹4,769
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ipswich. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (971 reviews)
"Everything about our stay was great from checking in and being offered a room nearer the pool to the wonderful breakfast we had everyday. The staff were exceptional and couldn’t do enough to help the guests and nothing was too much trouble. Parking was free and very convenient. I would highly recommend ..."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Holiday Inn Ipswich, an IHG Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
The White Horse Inn
The White Horse Inn
4 out of 5
Norwich Road (Main A140), Stoke Ash, Eye, England
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Eye. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Discover genuine ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (230 reviews)
"Amazing stay. Lovely room, the beds were comfortable and the shower was amazing. Had a delicious meal on-site and the breakfast was also lovely. Would definitely recommend and would stay again if in the area in future."

Reviewed on 3 Mar 2024

The White Horse Inn
Beautiful 3 Bed Caravan in Walton on the Naze
Beautiful 3 Bed Caravan in Walton on the Naze
3 out of 5
Walton on the Naze, England
Stay at this 3-star mobile home in Walton on the Naze. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a balcony. Popular attractions Walton Pier and Holland Haven Country ...
Beautiful 3 Bed Caravan in Walton on the Naze
Impeccable 4-bed Caravan in Clacton-on-sea
Impeccable 4-bed Caravan in Clacton-on-sea
3 out of 5
Clacton-on-Sea, England
Stay at this 3-star cabin in Clacton-on-Sea. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Jaywick Martello Tower and Jaywick Sands are located ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
Lovely clacton caravan
"The caravan was very clean on arrival. The host had left cleaning products for us. The beds were made and also extra bedding. Clean towels were available. The host called before we arrived to let us know she had left ice lollies for the children and some crisps. There was also things like ready meals, ..."

Reviewed on 17 Jul 2023

Impeccable 4-bed Caravan in Clacton-on-sea
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Ipswich

3.9
Guest rating
5 - Excellent
61
" "5 - Excellent 22.676579925650557%
4 - Good
135
" "4 - Good 50.185873605947954%
3 - Okay
59
" "3 - Okay 21.933085501858734%
2 - Disappointing
12
" "2 - Disappointing 4.4609665427509295%
1 - Terrible
2
" "1 - Terrible 0.7434944237918215%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
9 Mar 2020

Lovely part of the country

3/5 - Okay

Philip
2 Mar 2020

Lots of traffic city centre

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
19 Jan 2020

Did not visit for pleasure. Funeral.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller
6 Jan 2020

Only went to the waterfront area which seemed quite run down to start but did manage to find a couple of decent dining and social areas. It’s a shame they cannot invest some more to attract people to an otherwise lovey town.

2/5 - Disappointing

Verified traveller
2 Jan 2020

The Marina in front of the hotel is great but unfortunately the town is very run down.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller
2 Jan 2020

The Three Wise Monkeys has a lovely gin bar in the basement and Love Thy Burger was a pleasant dining experience.

Cities near Ipswich