The Ancient House is a Grade 1 listed building, and one of the most famous buildings in the centre of Ipswich. Located at the junction where Dial Lane crosses over The Buttermarket, this unmistakable building brings history and beauty together for all to admire.
Built in 1567 for a fishmonger named George Copping, the Ancient House was originally named the ‘Sparrows house’, transferring owenership to John Sparrowe in the 1590s. John Sparrowe was a local magistrate, and the Sparrowe family remained at the Ancient House for nearly 300 years.
As staunch royalists, John Sparrowe and his family made a number of adaptations to the building. These included decorating the exterior walls with extravagant pargetting, with the Royal Arms of King Charles II are set prominently in the centre. Look above you and you will see four continents are positioned under each window, Europe, Africa, Americas and Asia. You will note that Australasia is missing - it was undiscovered at this time.
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.
