Eastlife Spring 2020

Suffolk
Christchurch Park & Holywells Park
Christchurch Park was the first public park in Ipswich, opening in
1895. Located right in the heart of the town, it’s the perfect place
to take a stroll. Christchurch Park plays host to many of Ipswich’s
biggest events, including Ipswich Music Day, which will this year
celebrate 30 years of providing a platform for upcoming artists.
Holywells Park is a beautiful open space to visit with stunning
trees and ponds, as well as being a wildlife hotspot in Ipswich.
There is also a children’s play area, gym equipment, walled
garden, visitor centre and café.
Ipswich Waterfront
This iconic area is what makes Ipswich ‘East Anglia’s Waterfront
Town’. This vibrant area of the town is alive with restaurants,
cafes, bars and home to the University of Suffolk, all perched on
the water’s edge. A great place day and night; watch world-class
contemporary dance and performance at DanceEast, relax on
a river cruise down the Orwell River or enjoy the nightlife with
drinks and live music.
New Wolsey Theatre
New Wolsey Theatre is a 400-seat theatre and production
company with a dynamic programme of drama, comedy,
contemporary theatre and, of course, their famous panto! The
theatre is nationally renowned for the quality and diversity of
its shows, with a reputation for their musicals. Often employing
actor-musicians, the New Wolsey is a leading player in the
development of new musicals in the UK along with regularly
staging world premieres.
The Ancient House
Also known as Sparrowe’s House, The Ancient House is a
Grade 1 listed building dating from the 14th Century that was
owned by a string of local merchants throughout the 15th and
16th Centuries. The decorative plasterwork and carving on the
outside of the building was added in the 17th Century and is one
of the finest examples in the UK. The interior still has many of the
original features including the staircases, paintings and secret
courtyard!
Ipswich Transport Museum
With a fabulous collection of transport and engineering objects
relating to Ipswich and the surrounding area, the Ipswich
Transport Museum has preserved over 100 buses, lorries, bikes,
cranes, carriages and more for more than 50 years. The Museum
also has a large model railway for children to control and play
with, a gift shop and their Sunbeam Tea room.
The Giles Statue
One of the most popular landmarks in Ipswich, the Giles Statue
depicts the ‘Giles Family’, famous cartoon characters created by
Ipswich-based cartoonist Carl Giles. Also known as the ‘Grandma
Statue’ the landmark features the infamous Grandma character,
the naught twins Lawrence and Ralph, Rush the dog and the
oldest sister Vera. The statue is positioned so that Grandma is
looking up at the studio window of where Giles used to create
his cartoons for Daily Express and Sunday Express, above what is
now a Costa Coffee shop.
Compiled by Ipswich Borough Council and All About Ipswich.
Visit allaboutipswich.com to find out more and plan your visit!
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