The Lanes are gifted with some of Ipswich’s most historic buildings and amongst them is the Grade I listed ‘Ancient House’ originally called the ‘Sparrows house’. Built in 1567 for a draper and fish monger called George Copping, in the 1590s its ownership transferred to John Sparrowe, a magistrate, where it stayed in the family for nearly 300 years.

John Saparrowe and his family were staunch royalists, and John Sparrowe made a number of adaptations to the building, including decorating the exterior walls with extravagant pargetting. Given their loyalty to the throne it is no surprise that the Royal Arms of King Charles II are set prominently in the centre. Four continents are positioned under each window, Europe, Africa, Americas and Asia. Australasia was missing as it was yet to be discovered.

The Ancient house later became a printing company, and a well known bookstore in the town for 100 years. The printing company still exists, although is no longer located at The Ancient House, which now houses a well known kitchen ware company.

From Medieval times this area of town was reserved as a place for outdoor markets. The dairy market ran up the front of the Ancient House, the fish market near Dial Lane, and on St Stephens Lane was the Cloth Market. In respect to the history of the markets, this area is still referred to as the Buttermarket.

The two medieval churches dominate the Lanes, St Stephens which is now the Tourist Information Centre and St Lawrence on Dial Lane. The present structure of St Lawrence is believed to have been built in the early 1400s. It has a highly decorative tower which was greatly restored by the Victorians. The five bells in the church are believed to be the oldest in the world, dated 1450-58 and have been nicknamed ‘Wolsey’s Bells’ as he would have heard them whilst walking around the town. The church is now a community centre and cafe.
By Kathie Jones, Historic Ipswich (UK)