Sightseeing in Ipswich - what to see. Complete travel guide

This is a port town located in the eastern part of the country on the shore of the Orwell River. Ipswich, which is situated on the crossing of important trading routes, has been playing a crucial role since ancient times. The town acted as a binding link between the UK and other European countries. In previous centuries Ipswich was famous as a large industrial and trading center. The local population was mainly involved into fishing and crafts. During the years of industrial revolution a part of craftsmen stores were reorganized into large factories and plants that were developing rapidly due to active export and import.

Within just several decades Ipswich developed into a modern industrial center from a small fishermen settlement. Beautiful and unforgettable streets of Ipswich are one of the main characteristics of this place. In the beginning of the 19th century local authorities issued an order according to which street lamps were installed on all streets of the city. The lamps were well kept and thoroughly cleaned. The tradition lasted up to our days and in 2007 Ipswich got the award as the cleanest city of the United Kingdom.

Tourists, who come to rest in this town, will be interested in visiting ancient buildings, the most notable of which are Town Hall, Wills House, Sparrow Mansion, St. Bartholomew church, Christchurch Park and the mansion on its territory. While taking a walk in Ipswich, you can see several brewing houses, craftsman outlets and grain warehouses. Many of these facilities have been turned into museums and shops. There are also numerous wonderful churches in the city – St. Margaret Church, St. Clement Church, St. Michael Church, Church of John the Baptist and many more. Ipswich is the motherland of many famous artists, which works you can see in picture galleries and Art Museum. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

Landguard Fort is one of the main historical symbols of the city. The very first fortification in its place was built in the middle of the 16th century. The fort, which tourists can see today, was built in the 17th century. Until the end of the 19th century, the fort was used for its intended purpose. In 1870, its large-scale reconstruction began. During the Second World War, the ancient fortress was used as a military base, hence the launch of balloons. Now, travelers are attracted by the incredible stories about ghosts that live within the walls of the fort. Many argue that during a walk on the upper floors of the fort, they are constantly pushed by an invisible hand. At night in the fort windows, one can observe an inexplicable glow.

In the vicinity of the city is a unique archaeological area of ​​Sutton-Hoo. It is a large necropolis, the area of ​​which is about 245 acres. The opening of this archaeological area was held in 1939. During the exploration of the area, many treasures were discovered: ancient ornaments, funeral accessories, weapons and other attributes that have become a real discovery for archaeologists of the United Kingdom. Today the district is fully equipped for tourists; there are many paths for walks, cozy recreation areas and even playgrounds for children.

In the variety of cultural institutions in Ipswich, it is worth mentioning the Felixstowe Museum. It is a large museum complex, which is housed in former military buildings. Its visitors can see a lot of interesting exhibitions. In the museum, there is a hall with historical artifacts, as well as archaeological discoveries dating back to the times of the Roman Empire. This museum has a very interesting photo archive, and even exhibitions of contemporary art are often held in it.

In the variety of architectural monuments, it is worth highlighting the Sparrow's mansion. It is incredibly beautiful and surrounded by a well-groomed garden. An interesting museum also works within the walls of this mansion now. It managed to preserve the atmosphere which it took from the last hosts. In the mansion, there is also a large hall reserved for the storage of paintings. In the rooms, there are collections of antique furniture, utensils and