Walk followed by a pot of tea - the perfect way to lift the winter gloom.

A new series of afternoon tea walks gets under way later this month. The popular walks have been organised by Ipswich Tourist Guides and the Borough Council’s Tourist Information Centre (TIC). Each explores a particular theme or aspect of Ipswich’s heritage and ends in one of the town’s tea rooms, where walkers can enjoy refreshments and a further opportunity to chat with their guide.

The series commences on Thursday 28th January at 2pm with a walk entitled “Our Glorious Churches”, which will look at Ipswich’s beautiful churches - thanks to the wealth of the town’s medieval merchants - the town’s pilgrimage site, visited by Henry VIII, and the turbulent times of our great Cardinal, Thomas Wolsey.

Other themes will discover Georgian Ipswich, the town’s maritime heritage and, on International Women’s Day, the part some remarkable women have played in the history and development of Ipswich.

Tickets cost £8 per person for each walk, which includes refreshments, and must be booked in advance through Ipswich Tourist Information Centre in St Stephen’s Church, St Stephen’s Lane. A full colour leaflet, with details of all the walks, is available from the TIC. Telephone 01473 258070, email [email protected] .

For full details of the Afternoon Tea Walks, and other local guided walks click here.