Get to Know One of England’s Oldest Towns: Ipswich

Found nestled along the banks of the River Orwell in Suffolk, Ipswich is an English town that resonates with history, culture and a vibrant sense of community. This town has a rich heritage that dates back over a thousand years, and offers a blend of old world and modern charm. In this article, we’ll delve into what makes Ipswich such a unique and interesting destination.

Glimpses into the Past

The history of Ipswich dates back to Roman times, back then it was known as “Gippeswic” but it has also been recorded as being named “Gyppewicus” and “Yppswyche”, you can see the DNA of Ipswich’s modern name in all of these monikers.

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Ipswich is believed to be one of the oldest towns in the United Kingdom, beginning as a settlement in early Anglo-Saxon times. It is claimed to be the oldest town established and developed by the English that is still continuing today. Ipswich serves as the county town of Suffolk, being the largest settlement in the county.

What is now known as Ipswich Waterfront was once the largest and most important dock for trading, back when England was known as the Kingdom of England between the years 927 and 1707.

Alongside this history, you can still see glimpses of the past in Ipswich’s historic architecture. You can find timber-framed buildings, medieval churches, and Tudor-style homes.

Near the Waterfront, you can find the Willis Building which, back in 1991, became the newest building in Britain to be given Grade I listed building status. This means it was listed as a “building of exceptional interest”. It was constructed between 1970 and 1975.

The Present Day Ipswich

Present day Ipswich is home to many cultural institutions and businesses. Along the Waterfront you can find the University of Suffolk, which offers many postgraduate and undergraduate courses. Closer to the centre of the town, you can find a variety of pubs, restaurants, shops, and services.

These services include the THB Solicitors Ipswich office, legal experts who offer a variety of specialisms in different areas of the law. Areas of specialism include family law, property law and commercial law, as well as laws surrounding wills and mental health issues. THB solicitors also have offices in various locations across Essex.

There is also a good amount of hotels around the area, which is just as well, as at the start of 2020, Ipswich was ranked by TripAdvisor as an emerging destination for tourists from around the globe. 3.5 million people were reported to have visited the destination back in 2016.

An article in the Independent highlighted this, writing that Ipswich was the only destination from the UK that was picked in TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Awards – coming in 14^th place alongside places such as Saranda in Albania, and Beirut in Lebanon.

One review described Ipswich as “A destination that’s managed to keep its historical charm intact, Ipswich is a cultural hub of activity.” another said “From strolling through the arboretum at Christchurch Park, taking in a show at the famous Regent Theatre, viewing Constable’s art at Christchurch Mansion, it’s little wonder travellers are falling in love with Ipswich”.

Further comments praised the transport links, range of accommodation options, and the list of theatres, dance houses and other things to do.

What Can I do in Ipswich?

There’s lots of cultural experiences to be had in Ipswich. The Regent Theatre is perhaps the most famous of places in the local area to see shows, there you can see a range of live performances from comedy to music and more.

You can also take a stroll through Christchurch Park which has tennis courts, table tennis, bowling greens, outdoor gym equipment and play areas for children. The park’s southern entrance is where you can find Christchurch Mansion, another Grade I listed building inside of which you’ll be able to visit a public museum and art gallery.

Another museum you can visit is the Ipswich Transport Museum which offers a journey through transport history and features vintage vehicles, trams, and buses.

Visit Ipswich

Whether you live nearby or are travelling from afar, a trip to Ipswich is well worth looking into. The town offers history, art, entertainment, and some great scenic views. Reviewers on TripAdvisor have fallen in love with it after all, so maybe you will too.