Ipswich is Suffolk’s county town and one of the oldest towns in England.
During the 13th century it was well known for its wool trade and even today sheep are a prominent feature of the landscape.
In the centre of town is the 15th century St. Margaret’s church. It is built from flint and stone with a double hammerbeam roof and 17th century painted ceiling panels.
The Willis Building in town is a glass clad former stables building. It only dates back to 1974 but in 1991 it became Britain’s youngest Grade II building.
There is a lot of regeneration going on in Ipswich, mainly around the once derelict docklands. This area is now mostly residential with prices towards the top end of the market. Marinas have been built in the area and this is where the new Suffolk University Campus will be situated. This will be Suffolk’s first university.
Ipswich has plenty of things to see and do such as the several art galleries and two museums in the town. There are two theatres both having a good range of productions.
There are a lot of restaurants to be tried out two of the top being Loch Fyne and The Black Tiles. There are also plenty of pubs and clubs giving the town a good nightlife.
Ipswich has a wide variety of shops including those selling craft and wool, camping equipment, flowers, cards, hats, shoes, music, gifts and several farm shops. There are around eleven department store and numerous supermarkets.
For the children there is Kidz Kingdon an indoor play area together with a twenty lane bowling alley.
A cruise can also being taken along the River Orwell taking in the pretty surrounding countryside and passing villages to Harwich Harbour. These tours have now been resumed after a gap of fifty years.
The Suffolk Show takes place annually, the next will be on the 28th and 29th May 2008. It is a large County Show and includes livestock, agricultural trade stands, flower show, shopping mall and International show jumping. The showground is called Trinity Park after the three animals that are native to Suffolk. The black faced sheep, Red Poll Cattle and the Suffolk Punch horse. This is a good show and makes a great day out for the whole family.
Ipswich is easily accessible, trains run every half hour to London, a journey of seventy-five minutes and every twenty minutes to Norwich and Bury St Edmunds. Connections by road are for London the M25 and A12 and for Cambridge and the Midlands the A14.
There is always property available for rent in Ipswich and prices are around £450-£550pcm for a l bed house or flat, £450-£625 for a 2 bed flat, £435-£550 for a 2 bed house and £550-£625 for a 3 bed house.
Ipswich is keen on sport and has a professional football team, Ipswich Town Football Club. The town has a very successful speedway team in fact the best Britain has ever had but spectators are down to 1,500 per meeting at their Foxhall Stadium Track. This track is also used for stock car racing. The town has facilities for both Rugby Union and Rugby League. The area is also well known for cricket.
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