Since Saxon times, Ipswich has been a thriving city. Located on the Orwell River estuary on the East Coast, it was formerly a significant commercial port. Until the 1970s, Ipswich was a hub for secondary offices for London's financial services industry, with names like Royal Bank of Scotland, Willis Group, Norwich Union and AXA opening shiny new skyscrapers in a new CBD development just north of the river. The new University Campus Suffolk accelerated the development of stylish new pubs, restaurants, and flats along the river's east bank.

The juxtaposition of 1960s tower blocks, Saxon half-timber cottages, Victorian townhouses, and gleaming modern high-rise constructions is a bit of a culture shock for visitors expecting a normal little provincial town.

1. What makes Ipswich unique?
2. Ipswich's popular attractions
3. Nightlife in Ipswich
4. Sports in Ipswich
5. Food in Ipswich
6. Shopping in Ipswich
7. Ipswich living costs
8. Festivals and Events in Ipswich
9. Travel in and around Ipswich
10. Explore the UK from Ipswich

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1. What makes Ipswich unique?

Ipswich, one of England's oldest cities, with a vibrant commercial port and colonies going back to Roman times. Restaurants, pubs, cafés, and art galleries along the historic waterfront of industrial docks. There is a lot to see and do in and around the historic city, including spectacular Tudor architecture and the Wolsey Art Gallery in Christchurch Park.

The neighboring Alton Water Lake and the Orwell River provide excellent options for watersports or simply relaxing with a drink at one of Ipswich's waterside bars. With five hotels in Ipswich to pick from, you are sure to find the right place to unwind.

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2. Ipswich's popular attractions

Ipswich is full of fun things to do and unique places to visit. Despite being just a town, within this wonderful place are numerous spots you can not miss, including:

• St. Mary le Tower. Town charter of 1200 inscribed in church cemetery and the Victorian spike towering over the town's roofs is a Victorian addition to a medieval church.
• Ancient House. A 15th century Grade I listed structure with beautiful fireplaces, wooden beams, and carvings.
• Pykenham’s Gatehouse. A Grade I listed structure where the wattle and daub Tudor building is available to the public during English Heritage open days.
• Wolsey’s Gate. Wolsey's Gate, named for Ipswich-born Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, King Henry VIII's Chancellor, is the only vestige of a huge Tudor college being erected in Ipswich.

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3. Nightlife in Ipswich

Just a quick stroll through Ipswich's lovely neighborhoods reveals an excellent bar nearby. Briarbank Brewing offers a superb assortment of handmade ales and brews. They have their own microbrewery and seasonal beers all year round, so there is always something fresh to drink. Summer evenings include live music and an outside bar when the weather permits. If you do not like beer, there is a wonderful selection of boutique gins to choose from.

Aurora Bar and Restaurant also benefits from its waterfront position with breathtaking marina views. Submerged under the sail-shaped canopy ceiling is a trendy bar and restaurant serving contemporary British meals, beverages and outstanding cocktails. On Fridays and Saturdays, the bar is open until 1am offering wonderful views of the marina's lights.

The Arcade Street Tavern is a small tavern in town that provides an incredible selection of gins and beers in a lively ambiance. Attend one of their regular events or street food Fridays for pizza, burgers, steaks, and more. They also arrange beer and cheese pairing evenings, or you can lease the premises privately for tastings and gin experiences.

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4. Sports in Ipswich

Various state-of-the-art facilities open to the public include:

• Suffolk Leisure Park
• Alton Water Sport Center
• Beacon Rally Karts
• Bramford Golf Center

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5. Food in Ipswich

Within the town's distinctive independent restaurants, where you may sample food from across the globe without ever leaving Ipswich town center, there are several chances to indulge in locally grown delicacies. Cool waterfront bistros, hummus and belly dancers, the best sushi platters, and much more can be found in and around Ipswich.

Enjoy delicious coffee, breakfast, light nibbles, and lunch selections in Applaud Café's cozy tearoom or sunny garden. Locals and tourists alike like the vibrant salad bowls, handcrafted pastries, and creative sandwich and wrap alternatives to meet all dietary demands. Try the vegan lattes or the freshly squeezed orange juice. And if the English skies clear, the garden is a solar trap.

Café Basso is the place to go for authentic Italian coffee. You may also recharge with handmade pizzas, pasta dishes, paninis and ciabattas. Of course, you must end with a delicious treat.

Ipswich features numerous quaint independents providing a more typical English experience. In addition to wonderful coffee and tea, Blend's Coffee House offers scrumptious milkshakes and a robust assortment of English café cuisine. Pickwick's also has a warm face and serves toasties, scones, tea and coffee in a wonderful old-worldly ambience. Just inquire whether they can accommodate special dietary needs.

Finally, have a drink and wonderful views of the waterfront at Cult Café Bar that has soft couches, a laid-back ambience, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Enjoy the views from the outdoor benches, or remain for beverages and live music activities in the evenings.

Finally, visit the Suffolk Food Hall for the greatest range of fresh products supplied by proud Suffolk farmers. The large farm store has a traditional butchery, fresh bread, delicatessen, fisherman, and more. Enjoy a meal at the food hall's café or Cookhouse restaurant, or stock up on fresh Suffolk vegetables.

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6. Shopping in Ipswich

The old town core is small and convenient for shopping. In Ipswich, just a Lakeland store inside a Grade I listed structure! Visit Debenhams and M&S on Ipswich's high street, then explore the surrounding streets for boutiques and independents selling anything from fancy dress to vintage clothing and gifts.

The Buttermarket Ipswich is the town's biggest covered retail area, newly renovated to include a 14-screen cinema, entertainment and dining choices. Sailmakers Shopping Centre is also nearby, with 24 stores including HMV, Pandora, Topshop and River Island. Poundland and Iceland are also nearby, as is BB's coffee shop.

Another wonderful shopping haven is Anglia Retail Park which contains brands like Dunelm, B&M, Smyths Toy Store, Go Outdoors and others available in large containers. There is also Bounce Ipswich, an indoor trampoline park for kids and adults alike. You would not go hungry with an Asda supermarket close, a Pizza Hut and several fast food places.

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7. Ipswich living costs

Budget guide:

• One-way ticket (Local transport): £2.50
• Meal out: £14.00
• Fast food (McDonald’s): £6.00
• Gasoline (1 litre): £5.73
• Cinema ticket: £10.10
• Taxi (normal tariff): £3.00

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8. Festivals and Events in Ipswich

Enjoy a summer weekend of jazz in Ipswich with respected local, national, and international musicians. Workshops, films, performance art, and live music are all on the menu. In the stunning St. Peter's by the Waterfront, a 15th century church turned arts facility on Ipswich's port.

If you like big-name acts like Queen, Coldplay, and Oasis, check out the line-up for Ipswich's annual Fake Festival. No, Liam and Noel have not reconciled, but the event's organizers gathered the best tribute acts on one stage so the whole family could enjoy their favorite songs in the beautiful Christchurch Park.

Visit the Ipswich Maritime Festival for a fun-filled family event. Every August, the waterfront festival features historic boats, street and food markets, a funfair, music, and all things water-related. The weekend is rounded off with a spectacular firework show over the marina.

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9. Travel in and around Ipswich

By public transport

You can get about Ipswich without a vehicle by using the town's public transit. Buses to Woodbridge, Colchester, and other nearby towns are available, as are National Express coaches to London and Liverpool. Otherwise use a green and white Ipswich bus to go across town and to nearby suburbs and shopping parks. The number 38 is a free service that revolves around the town center.

By plane

Ipswich is easily accessible from Stansted and Norwich airports. The X5 bus takes roughly 90 minutes to reach London Stansted. Connections to Norwich Airport take 1 to 1.5 hours. Take a 40-minute train to Norwich, then a local bus or cab to the airport.

By train

Ipswich Train Station is less than a mile away. Trains arrive at Liverpool Street every half hour and take slightly over an hour. If you don't want to walk with your baggage, cabs and buses leave from the station forecourt.

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10. Explore the UK from Ipswich

Ipswich is an excellent starting point for seeing the surrounding cities and towns, as well as the rest of the United Kingdom.

Bramford

Bramford is a settlement in Mid Suffolk, England. In Ipswich, it is three miles west of the Ipswich Built-up Area. It was called "Brunfort'' in the Domesday Book. The River Gipping ran through the settlement and was a major waterway in the 19th century. A lock remains on the village's east side. The community contains two churches, one Anglican, St Mary the Virgin, visible from Bramford Bridge, and the other Methodist, on the B1067 road. Branford's Eastern Union Railway station closed in 1955.

Rushmere St. Andrew

Rushmere St Andrew is a settlement, civil parish and electoral ward in the East Suffolk district of Suffolk, England. The parish contains most of Rushmere Heath, sections of Ipswich's Broke Hall neighborhood, and the settlement of Rushmere St. Andrew. Here, you can have a calm and relaxing trip with your friends and family.

Kesgrave

Kesgrave is a town in the English county of Suffolk, on the outskirts of the city of Ipswich, on the eastern end of the county. It is included in the greater Ipswich built-up region as part of the Kesgrave neighborhood. The tranquility and relaxation of a community like Redhill will give you a therapeutic experience away from the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life.

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