Ipswich is a town of culture. It has one of the world’s finest dance studios, a well-maintained Tudor Mansion, a number of theatres, art galleries, and festivals that are planned across the calendar year to keep you engaged and entertained, and coming back for more.
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Christchurch Mansion |
| Address: | Christchurch Park, Soane Street, Ipswich, IP4 2BE | Telephone: | 01473 433554 | |
| Web: | www.Christchurch-Mansion |
| Christchurch Mansion is a beautiful example of a Tudor mansion, and widely considered to be one of the jewels in the crown of Ipswich’s history. With over 500 years of history there is much to see and explore at the mansion. Helpful fact sheets are placed in each room and there are always a number of helpful and informative staff on hand to help fill in the gaps. When you’ve completed your visit, take time out for refreshments in the Mansion Café, and don’t forget to make time for a stroll around the stunning Christchurch Park. |
| Additional Information | It is free to enter Christchurch Mansion. At certain times during the year additional events are planned, including activities for children. Opening times vary across the year, so please check the website before planning your visit. |
DanceEast |
| Address: | Jerwood DanceHouse, Foundry Lane, Ipswich, IP4 1DW | Telephone: | 01473 295230 | |
| Web: | www.danceeast.co.uk |
| DanceEast is located at Ipswich Waterfront, at the Jerwood DanceHouse. Regarded as one of the best dancehouses in the UK, its performance are equally of the highest quality. With a full programme of events scheduled throughout the year you will be enthralled by the wide range of performances, drawn from a world wide stage. |
| Additional Information | DanceEats is attached to DanceEast and offers a great selection of food and drink. DanceEast also holds regular dance and fitness classes for adults and children; it also has a programme of student training and artist development. |
Eastern Angles Theatre Group |
| Address: | Gatacre Road, Ipswich, IP1 2LQ | Telephone: | 01473 211948 | |
| Web: | www.easternangles.co.uk |
| The Sir John Mills Theatre is home to the Eastern Angles Regional Touring Theatre Company. The theatre itself seats a maximum of 120, and its intimate layout provides a unique theatre experience. The Eastern Angles Theatre Company has performed nationally, at venues including the Edinburgh Festival. |
| Additional Information | The Sir John Mills Theatre is also used by local amateur societies such as The Gallery Players, Two Rivers and Up Front Productions. Occasionally there are music and comedy evenings by professional performers. |
Indian Summer Mela |
| Address: | Christchurch Park, Soane Street, Ipswich, IP4 2BE | Telephone: | NA | |
| Web: | www.ip-art.com |
| The Indian Summer Mela is a celebration of the Asian culture. An event that is a collaboration between the Ipswich and Suffolk Indian Association and Ip-Art the one day event includes music, songs, Bollywood dancing, yoga and Tai-Chi, demonstrations as well as an array of Indian food outlets. |
| Additional Information | The Indian Mela is free to attend, and is suitable for all the family. |
Ip-Art Festival |
| Address: | Across Ipswich | Telephone: | 01473 433554 | |
| Web: | www.ip-art.com |
| The Ip-Art Festival is an annual event, the first festival took place in 2003. Since then the Ip-Art Festival has grown and now sees acts and performers, drawn both locally and nationally. Events take place at venues across the town, with much of the festival centred around Christchurch Park. Events range from classical to folk music, poetry to dance and rhythm. |
| Additional Information | The Ip-Art Festival usually takes places over a 2-3 week period between June and July. Many of the events are free to attend. |
Ipswich Arts Association Town Lectures and Concerts |
| Address: | Museum Street Methodist Church, 17 Black Horse Lane, Ipswich, IP1 2EF | Telephone: | 01473 251208 | |
| Web: | www.ipswich-arts.org.uk |
| The series of Town Lectures and Concerts are organised by the Ipswich Arts Association, and take place at lunchtime, hence they have been affectionately known by locals as the lunchtime lectures and concerts. Lectures focus on aspects of local history and culture, in contrast to the concerts where artists and performers are from across the globe. |
| Additional Information | Town lectures are concerts run from 1-1.50pm, no booking is required, but numbers are limited. Tea and coffee is available prior to each event. There is also a retiring collection to support expenses. |
Ipswich Film Theatre |
| Address: | Corn Exchange, King Street, Ipswich, IP1 1HD | Telephone: | 01473 433554 | |
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| If you are looking for a film theatre which differs from the multiplex cinemas then you must take a visit to the Ipswich Film Theatre. A community-based two screen cinema run mainly by volunteers, Ipswich Film Theatre is located in the Corn Exchange and specialises in independent and world cinema. Each of the two cinema screens is small and intimate giving you a unique cinematic experience. |
| Additional Information | Ipswich Film Theatre is fully accessible with lift and stairclimber access to both screens. |
Ipswich Jazz Club |
| Address: | The California Club, 195 Foxhall Road, Ipswich, IP3 8LB | Telephone: | 01473 231552 | |
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| National and international performances right here in Ipswich. Events are usually scheduled every third Sunday of the month. A non-profit making organisation Ipswich Jazz Club works to bring to Ipswich the best in modern and mainstream jazz. Who would have thought – a jazz club, here in Ipswich? |
| Additional Information | Doors open 7.30pm, performances between 8-10pm. There is no membership, and events are open to the public. Ticket price usually £10, which can be booked in advance or purchased on the door. |
Ipswich Maritime Festival |
| Address: | Neptune Quay and Orwell Quay, Ipswich Waterfront | Telephone: | NA | |
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| In celebration of its maritime history Ipswich proudly puts on an annual celebration of maritime events and activities. From displays and exhibitions, markets and music, the festival attracts people from far and wide. Many of the exhibitions and displays are free to attend, and the event is suitable for adults and children alike. |
| Additional Information | Keep up to date with what is planned for the Festival by logging on to the Ipswich Town & Waterfront website where we will the latest information on what is happening. |
Ipswich Museum |
| Address: | High Street, Ipswich, IP1 3QH | Telephone: | 01473 433550 | |
| Web: | www.Ipswich-Museum |
| Discover the history of Ipswich; learn about the discovery of the famous woolly mammoth, the castle on the hill, as well as the history of wartime Ipswich. The museum also includes an extensive collection of natural history, enabling you to get up close with animals including the giraffe, and study rocks and precious gems excavated from the local area. |
| Additional Information | Entrance to the museum is free. There is a small gift shop within the museum, and throughout the year the museum puts on themed activities for children. Please check the website for further information. |
Ipswich Music Day (Music in the Park) |
| Address: | Christchurch Park, Soane Street, Ipswich, IP4 2BE | Telephone: | | |
| Web: | www.ip-art.com |
| Ipswich Music Day, part of the Ip-Art Festival, takes place on the first Sunday of July. Christchurch Park becomes completely unrecognisable with six stages, each one hosting a day full of performances, covering different genres, with supporting entertainment, a funfair and on-site mobile food outlets. |
| Additional Information | Music in the Park is a free event, suitable for all the family. We recommend you pack a picnic, something to drink, a blanket to sit on and enjoy this unique experience. |
Ipswich Town Hall |
| Address: | The Cornhill, Ipswich, IP1 1BH | Telephone: | | |
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| The focal point of the town centre, this impressive building stands proud at the Cornhill. Open to the public you can admire the architecture inside and out. The Town Hall houses two art galleries, and is home to the Suffolk Craft Society. |
| Additional Information | The Town Hall, the Town Hall Café and the Suffolk Craft Society are open Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 5pm. Entrance is free. A detailed description of the history of the Town Hall can be accessed via the above link. |
The John Russell Gallery |
| Address: | 4-6 Wherry Lane, Ipswich, IP4 1LG | Telephone: | 01473 212051 | |
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| Contemporary art gallery on the Ipswich Waterfront. Exhibitions are updated every month and there is also a collection of original prints and paintings for general sale. The John Russell Gallery is a gem in itself, and is a supporter of local and upcoming artists. |
| Additional Information | Open Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5.30pm. Private viewings can be arranged on Sundays. |
New Wolsey Theatre |
| Address: | Civic Drive, Ipswich, IP1 2AS | Telephone: | 01473 295900 | |
| Web: | www.wolseytheatre.co.uk |
| Seating 400, this great theatre is located in the centre of Ipswich. Attracting audiences from far and wide, it is also a favourite amongst local people. Productions include one night shows to pantomimes, drama, comedy and music. You can even book yourself in for a back-stage tour and get a real feel of what it is like to stand on the stage. |
| Additional Information | The New Wolsey Theatre is fully accessible, with Infra Red Hearing Enhancement, Touch Tours and Audio Described performances. |
The Pacitti Company |
| Address: | The Victorian Wing, 1 Upper High Street, Ipswich, IP1 3QH | Telephone: | 01473 216545 | |
| Web: | www.pacitticompany.com |
| The Think Tank is home to the internationally renowned Pacitti Company. From here a number of local, national and international events are hosted. Local events are led by artists and experts. Events include discussion around live art, performance and cultural projects. |
| Additional Information | Public events are affordable, and some are free to attend. Artists are also able to use the space at the ThinkTank, for their own work, as well as to engage with peers and members of the public. |
Pulse Fringe Festival |
| Address: | Across Ipswich | Telephone: | | |
| Web: | www.wolseytheatre.co.uk/pulse-festival |
| The Pulse Fringe Festival is a major event for Ipswich. This 10 day event focuses on the best in new and emerging talent, bringing together contemporary theatre and performance. During the Festival there is a full programme reaching out to people of different ages, backgrounds and covering a wide genre. |
| Additional Information | Applications for the 2014 Pulse Fringe are now open. When the programme is finalised full details will be shared on the Ipswich Town and Waterfront website. |
Red Rose Chain |
| Address: | Gippeswyk Hall, Gippeswyk Avenue, Ipswich, IP2 9AF | Telephone: | | |
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| If you’ve not experienced the Red Rose Chain before you’re in for a real treat. This contemporary theatre company creates original performances based on own writings and works from Shakespeare. |
| Additional Information | The Red Rose Chain is famous for its Theatre in the Forest Productions which take place at Jimmy’s Farm. |
St Peters by the Waterfront |
| Address: | College Street, Ipswich, IP1 1XF | Telephone: | 01473 225269 | |
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| Another of Ipswich’s 13 mediaeval churches that has seen a transformation and change of use is St Peters. Much of the original façade has been maintained, and the church building is now used as a music and arts venue, with a number of events and performances across the year. |
| Additional Information | St Peters by the Waterfront also hosts a number of craft events and markets, and every Wednesday the centre is used for musical rehearsals which can be observed by the public.
Opening times vary across the year. Please check the website for current hours of opening.
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UCS Waterfront Gallery |
| Address: | University Campus Suffolk, Waterfront Building,
Neptune Quay, Ipswich, IP4 1QJ
| Telephone: | 01473 338654 | |
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| A collection of changing contemporary art sited within the University Campus Suffolk Waterfront building. The space is used for exhibitions of work by students, staff and artists locally and wider afield. |
| Additional Information | The gallery is open Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm, and Saturdays 11am to 3pm. There is an adjacent café which overlooks the stunning Ipswich Waterfront. |
Wolsey Art Gallery |
| Address: | Christchurch Mansion, Soane Street, Ipswich,IP4 2BE | Telephone: | 01473 433554 | |
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| The Wolsey Art Gallery is home to largest collection of works by Gainsborough and Constable, outside of London. View completed works, and sketches. Admire the works inspired by the Suffolk countryside. |
| Additional Information | Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5pm. Entry to the Wolsey Art Gallery is free. |
