Ipswich & area
Ipswich - dates back to Saxon times when
it was one of Britains principal towns. The 16 th century Christchurch mansion is
situated in one of the many parks and houses a fine collection of paintings by Gainborough
and Constable. The Tolly Cobbold brewery is one of the oldest in britain and is open to
the public for tastings and tours.
Woodbridge - has narrow streets lined with
medieval buildings and contains many interesting shops. The 18th Century Tide Mill has now
been restored to working order and is an extremely rare example of its type.
Sudbury & Hadleigh - were founded on the
cloth trade and even today there is still a silk trade. Sudbury the birth place of
Gainborough has an attractive museum and gallery, whilst Hadleigh contains a complex
of medieval buildings incorporating the church and the Guildhall.
Stowmarket -the museum of East Anglian life
is based here and is very much a living museum with frequent demonstrations and events.
Bungay Castle Ruins(Bungay) Norman Castle
site situated in the fine market town. It has twin towers and large flint walls. There are
also Saxon mounds.
Clare Castle (Clare) Earthworks and ruins
Clare Priory Ancient Ruins(Clare) The ruins
of a Augustinian Friary
Framlingham Castle Tel
(01728) 724189
You can walk the entire length of the 12th century battlements with its 13 impressive
towers.A guided tour will lead you through the history of the castle and the surrounding
area throughout the ages.
Lavenham Guildhall Tel (01787) 247646
A splendid 15th century timer framed Tudor building on the market place. It has a
unique display of 700 years of medieval woollen cloth trade.
Leiston Abbey (EH) Remains of 14th century
abbey including transepts of church and a range of cloisters.
Orford Castle (EH)(Orford
Ness) Tel (01394) 450472
This medieval royal residence has three great towers rising some 30 metres high and
provides superb views over Orford Ness. Visit the keep of Henry II together with the maze
of rooms and passage ways.
St James Chapel (EH) (Lindsey)
Medieval chapel once attached to a nearby castle.
British Birds of Prey Centre (Stowmarket)
Tel(01449) 711425
Dramatic flying displays every day, Owls Hawks, Falcons plus many more from around
the world.
Dedham Rare Breeds Farm (Dedham)
Tel (01206) 323111
Situated in the heart of 'Constable Country', wide collection of British farm animals.
East of England Birds of Prey and Conservation Centre
(Laxfield)
Situated at Laxfield, there is a large collection of birds in aviaries. There is
also three flying demonstrations each day.
Kentwell Hall Farm (Long Melford)
Rare breed of domestic farm animals in lovely tranquil setting.
Carter's Teapot Pottery (Debbenham)
Tel(01728) 860475
Carters teapots is one of the leading collectable teapot manufacturers.Over 40 different
designs.
Dedham Art & Craft Centre
Tel (01206) 322666
Work by local artists with many local craft items available.
Akenfield (Charsfield)11m NE Ipswich Half
acre garden containing vegetables,many varieties of flowers including dried ones.
Blakenham Woodland Garden (Little Blakenham)
5 acres of woodland garden with many rare trees and shrubs Early in the year there are
bluebells,camellias and magnolias followed by azaleas, rhododendrons,roses, hydrangeas.
Lovely throughout the year.
Helmingham Hall Gardens (7m
North of Ipswich) Lovely moated gardens little altered from Elizabethan times.
The Walled garden has many rare roses,fine herb borders and a unique kitchen garden.
Leatheringham Watermill Gardens (Wickham
Market) 5 acres of garden with river side walk and water meadows. The watermill
now has the millstone restored.
Christchurch Mansion (Ipswich) Tudor
town house set in one of the towns parks. It has decorated period rooms with decorative
art & china collections.Paintings by Gainsborough & Constable.
Haughley Park (Stowmarket)
Jacobean manor house with lovely gardens set in parks and woodland.
Kentwell Hall (Long Melford) Tel
(01787) 310207 A 16th century moated mansion.Main rooms setup in the 16th century style.
There also a rare breeds farm.
Little Hall ( Lavenham)
Hall house has a crown post roof, and contains a collection of
furniture,pictures,sculptures and ceramics.
Melford Hall (NT)(Long Melford) Tel
(01787) 880286 A turreted brick tudor mansion with traditional gardens. The house has an
original panelled banqueting hall, Regency library and a display of chinese pottery.
The Priory (Lavenham) The home of
Benedictine monks,medieval clothiers,Elizabethan rector and now the Casey family who have
tastefully restored it from a derelict building. Lovely herb garden.
Wingfield College (7m SE Diss) Founded by
Sir John de Wingfield in 1362 incorporating Wingfield Manor house is a gothic timber
framed building hidden by a18th century frontage.
Saxtead Green Post Mill nr
(Framlingham) Tel (01728)685789
This superb example of a post mill has fascinating working machinery and millstones. The
Mill worked commercially until just after World War II.
Colchester Castle Museum Tel
(01206) 282931 Find out what it was like in Colchester in the Roman era. Over 2000 years
of history under one roof.
Ipswich Transport Museum (Ipswich) A
collection of over 70 historical commercial vehicles dating from 1850.
Long Shop Museum (Leiston) There are three
exhibition halls and a gallery and is the largest industrial museum in East Anglia.There
are steam engines, steam rollers and portables.
Mid Suffolk Light Railway(Brockford)
Restoration of station and track and preservation of artifacts.
Norfolk & Suffolk Aviation Museum (3 m SW Bungay)
16 historical aircraft on display, collection of models, paintings and flying relics.
Kyson Hill (NT) (South of Woodbridge) Kyson hill offers lovely views of the river Deben and Woodbridge. Forms part of a circular walk from Woodbridge quay along the river wall.
Orford Ness (NT) Tel (01394) 450057 Orford Ness is the largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe and supports many nationally rare species and plant communities. It was also a secret military testing site from 1915. A 4.5 mile walk is available with information displays.(Telephone to arrange ferry crossing.)
Boyton Vineyards (Stoke by Clare)
Tour of vineyard and wine tasting.
Bruisyard Vineyard & Herb Centre Tel
(01728) 638281
Enjoy the experience of the walkman audio tour of the vineyard and the taste of our three
international award winning wines.
Gifford's Hall Vineyard on A134
between Bury & Sudbury
Famous for its wines and liqueurs the vineyard offers tutored tastings.There is a rose
garden,wild flowers,organic vegetables, and herbs. For the children there is a play area
and free rides on the grape express.
Shawsgate Vineyard (Framlingham)
17 acre vineyard with vinery guided tours, wine tasting,picnic area.
Go Bananas Childrens indoor
adventure Centre nr Colchester
Skate Rollerworld Colchester
Tel (01206 868868)