◄ Back to printable area lists
Properties and events in Ipswich 2019
Properties and events in Ipswich 2019
Before heading out for your Heritage Open Days visit, please check entries at www.heritageopendays.org.uk for last-minute changes.
Heritage Open Days 2019 will be 13-22 September.
Print this page ► Click here for detailed listings ►
3-5 Silent Street, Ipswich
3-5 Silent Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1TF
3-5 Silent Street is part of a much larger timber-framed building consisting of 45-47 St Nicholas Street and 1-9 Silent Street, which Pevsner…
A late medieval timber-framed building listed Grade II* and dating from the 15th Century, containing finely carved and decorated timber beams and brackets.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 1000 - 1700
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Admiral’s House
The Ipswich Institute, The Admirals House, 13-15 Tower Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3BE
Probably built during the reign of Charles II (1660-85), with the later addition of a fine Georgian front. The interior is a mix of architectural…
An interesting heritage building, defined by as much by its occupants as by its architecture - with echoes of each period of residency.
Opening Times
- Friday 13 September: 1000-1600
- Saturday 14 September: 1000-1600
- Sunday 15 September: 1000-1600
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Arlingtons
Arlingtons, 13 Museum Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1HE
Behind the attractive façade of Doric Columns is 'The Great Place' Staircase which has connections to Elizabeth I and is the oldest part of the…
This Grade II listed building was the original Ipswich Museum, built in 1847 to educate the working classes of Ipswich.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: Open from 0900 - Guided tours at 1000 & 1600
- Sunday 15 September: Open from 0900 - Guided tours at 1000 & 1600
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Bethesda Baptist Church
9 St Margaret's Plain, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2BB
A Classical style building by the architect F G Faunch if Ilford. Built by Mr Geo Kenny of Ipswich and made with Cornish granite columns supplied…
Bethesda is an evangelical Baptist Church made up of around 200 people. We are a landmark building in the heart of Ipswich town centre, but the Church is the people who have long established relationships in Ipswich.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 1000-1500
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Broomhill Library
Suffolk Libraries, Broomhill Library, Sherrington Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 4HT
The library is now Grade 2 listed and stands next to the Broomhill Swimming Pool. The library was originally named Westbourne Library but it was…
Broomhill Library was built as a bomb shelter and decontamination unit during the second world war. It was converted to a library in 1948 and remains today as a busy community library.
Opening Times
- Friday 13 September: 0930-1830
- Saturday 14 September: 1000-1700
- Sunday 15 September: 1100-1600
- Thursday 19 September: 0930-1700
- Friday 20 September: 0930-1830
- Saturday 21 September: 1000-1700
- Sunday 22 September: 1100-1600
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Broomhill Pool
Sherrington Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 4HT
Janet Smith wrote, in her definitive book “Liquid Assets” “Broomhill may lack the national profile accorded to Saltdean, Tinside or…
One of 17 Listed lidos in Britain, the Modern style pool building is one of the most attractive Lido style open-air pools in Britain and has an unrivalled position on the edge of Broomhill Park.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 1000 - 1600
- Sunday 15 September: 1000 - 1600
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Christchurch Mansion
Christchurch Mansion, Soane Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2BE
The Christchurch Mansion guides will be on hand all weekend to give short introductions to the Mansion. There will be a 'Peep into the past' tour…
Enjoy free tours of Christchurch Mansion courtesy of the Friends of Ipswich Museums.
Come and see how the Friends of Ipswich Museum help raise funds for the Museums.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 1000-1700
- Sunday 15 September: 1100-1700
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Preferred
Fore Street Pool
Fore Street Pool, Fore Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1JZ
An elegant Victorian design with a fully glassed roof. Officially opened in 1894 by the Mayor of Ipswich Samuel Anness. The first year saw over…
Come along and take a tour of the pool and look at old photo's of the building or take a dip into the history of swimming in Ipswich with photographs and history of all our historical pools
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 10.00 - 16.30pm
- Sunday 15 September: 10.00 - 16.30pm
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Book on day
Gippeswyk Hall, (Red Rose Chain) The Avenue Theatre
Red Rose Chain, Gippeswyk Hall, Gippeswyk Avenue, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 9AF
The National Lottery Heritage Fund supported Red Rose Chain in their quest for a new venue - The Avenue Theatre - behind the Grade II* listed…
A chance to explore Gippeswyk Hall and The Avenue Theatre and learn all about its fascinating history & current incarnation through tours running throughout Saturday and Sunday - cream teas also available from the cafe bar.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 1000-1600
- Sunday 15 September: 1000-1600
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Ipswich Art Gallery
1 Upper High Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3NE
Ipswich Art Gallery are playing host to a hands on and entertaining exhibition of quirky automated contraptions from Cabaret Mechanical theatre.…
Unleash your inner inventor with our travelling exhibition 'Marvellous Machines'.
Enjoy the chance to get crafty with our free crafts table on the 14th and 15th September
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 1000-1700
- Sunday 15 September: 1100-1700
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Ipswich digital trail launch
University Campus Suffolk Ltd, Waterfront Building, 19-21 Neptune Quay, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1QJ
Suffolk Archives has launched an app containing historical trails that users can follow, unlocking different points on a treasure-hunt style walk.…
Suffolk Archives has launched an app containing historical trails that users can follow, unlocking different points on a treasure-hunt style walk. Learn about key sites in Ipswich, answer quiz questions, and see Ipswich change through time!
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 14:00
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Required
Ipswich Masonic Hall (Freemasons’ Hall)
Ipswich Masonic Hall Ltd, 8-10 Soane Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2BG
This historic building was constructed specifically for, and funded by, local Freemasons. The building itself has many noteworthy features…
Freemasons' Hall is a fine example of late Victorian architecture located in the heart of Ipswich. Being the centre of Suffolk Freemasonry you will have a first hand view of the 'tools of our trade!'
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 09.30-16.30
- Sunday 15 September: 09.30-16.30
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Ipswich Museum
Colchester & Ipswich Museum Service, High Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3QH
On the 14th and 15th September the Friends of Ipswich Museums will be offering a free tour of the Museum. At various times throughout the day…
Enjoy a free tour of Ipswich Museum courtesy of the Friends of Ipswich Museums
This is a great chance to meet Beagnoth our resident Anglo Saxon and learn about some of our past influential Curators.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 1000-1700; Tour 1200
- Sunday 15 September: 1100-1700; Tour 1400
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Ipswich School
Ipswich School, 25 Henley Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3SG
Ipswich School has evolved over more than six centuries. It is the only school mentioned in Shakespeare and the reigning monach is the school's…
Historic 19th and 20th Century school buildings, including a Chapel with Victorian stained glass and a Library with stained glass windows by John Piper.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: Tours at 9.00 am, 10.00 am and 11.00 am
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Ipswich Town Hall
Corn Exchange, Town Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1DH
The present Town Hall was built in 1868. The foundation stone was laid by Mayor Ebeneezer Goddard on April 18th 1866 and was opened by Mayor John…
The Town Hall will be open for guided tours by the Town Sergeant of Ipswich, including the Town Hall, Mayors Parlour and Cornexchange.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 10:30 hrs/ 11:30 hrs/13:00 hrs/14:00 hrs
- Sunday 15 September: 11:00 hrs /12:00hrs
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Isaacs & Isaac Lord Machine Room Tours
Isaacs on the Quay, 7 Wherry Quay, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1AS
When you enter Isaacs on the Quay, you’re taking a step back into history with much of the building dating back to the early 15c to late 18c.…
Learn about the history of Isaacs on the Quay, a Grade I and Grade II listed site located on the Ipswich Waterfront. Partake in one of their tours, open to the public on 15th September and see the fully restored machine room in action.
Opening Times
- Sunday 15 September: 11:00 and 12:00
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Made and Saved Exhibition
Quay Place, St. Mary At The Quay, Key Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1BZ
An exhibition highlighting parts of this magnificent church and telling the stories of people who were involved in its construction and its…
Discover Quay Place and the people who made and saved this 600 year old medieval church.
Opening Times
- Friday 13 September: 1000-1600
- Saturday 14 September: 1100-1500
- Monday 16 September: 1000-1600
- Tuesday 17 September: 1000-1600
- Wednesday 18 September: 1000-1600
- Thursday 19 September: 1000-1600
- Friday 20 September: 1000-1500
- Saturday 21 September: 1000-1200
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Mutual House - Ipswich Building Society
Ipswich Building Society, 2 Princes Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1QT
The Grade II listed building was designed by prominent local architect Thomas Cotman and built in 1901, featuring 2 storey oriel windows,…
A chance to have a look behind the scenes at this Grade II listed building, originally built as the Ipswich branch of Parr's bank in 1901. Take a peek at the original bank vault in the basement.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 0900-1700
- Sunday 15 September: 1000-1500
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Providence House
Birketts LLP, 141-145 Princes Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1QJ
Formally opened by HRH The Earl of Wessex on 11th May 2018, Birketts’ new offices in the Princes Street corridor are a great example of how one…
The guided tour will include a visit to the roof garden, with views across Ipswich Town football ground on one side and waterfront buildings on the other. There will be an opportunity to hear about the history of the firm from our guide.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 1100 - 1600
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Pykenham’s Gatehouse
Pykenham's Gatehouse, Northgate Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3BX
Pykenham's Gatehouse, built in the late 15th century, is one of the earliest domestic buildings in the town, and has witnessed more than 500 years…
A rare opportunity to visit Pykenham's Gatehouse, a medieval gem with its carved beams, hidden staircase and jettied first floor.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 10.00 - 16.00
- Sunday 15 September: 10.00 - 16.00
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Reading Room and Library
Ipswich Institute, Reading Room & Library, 15 Tavern Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3AA
Founded in 1824 by George Birkbeck as a Mechanics Institute, the Ipswich Institute has occupied its present distinctive building since 1836. The…
This Tardis-like building is hidden behind the surrounding shops. By stepping through the doorway the visitor is taken into a parallel world where historical ideals are still supporting modern active living.
Opening Times
- Friday 13 September: 1000-1600
- Saturday 14 September: 1000-1600
- Sunday 15 September: 1000-1600
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Royal Hospital School
The Royal Hospital School, Holbrook, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP9 2RX
Created by Royal Charter in 1694, the Royal Hospital School moved from Queen's House, Greenwich (now the National Maritime Museum) in 1933 to a…
You will have the opportunity to be given a tour of the school and also visit the school's Heritage Centre.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: Tour 0900, 1000 & 1100
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
St Margaret’s Church, Ipswich
St Margaret's Church, Soane Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 2BT
Dating from around 1300, with major additions in the C15th and further embellishments throughout succeeding centuries, St Margaret’s amply…
Come and see our new bell-ringing gallery and Heritage Information Area, walk round the church with one of our new leaflets or guidebooks (including an Explore guide for children) or join a guided tour of our magnificent medieval church.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: Open 0900-1700, general church tours at 1100 & 1430
- Sunday 15 September: Open 1400-1700, bellringing gallery tour at 1430
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
St Mary-at-Stoke Church
56 Stoke Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 8DA
Before the Butterfield extension was added in 1870 it was a single aisle country church offering box pews with 100 seats. He was commissioned to…
Part of the church is medieval and dates from the 14th c. In 1846 the railway came to Stoke. In 1870 it was extensively enlarged to a design by internationally renowned architect William Butterfield. It is now a Grade 1 listed building.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 10.00 hours to 16.00 hours
- Sunday 15 September: 10.00 hours to 16.00 hours
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
St Mary-le-Tower Church
St. Mary Le Tower, 17 Tower Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3BE
St Mary-le-Tower Church, Tower Street This is the fourth church where the first was recorded in the Domesday Book. It was almost totally rebuilt…
The great Victorian spire of St Mary-le-Tower rises above the shopping centre, the nearest thing the town will ever have to a cathedral. It holds a wealth of woodcarvings, bronzes, stained glass windows and a medieval font.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 0900-1700
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
St Peter’s by the Waterfront & The Ipswich Charter Hangings
St Peter's by the Waterfront, St Peter's Church, College Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1BF
St Peter's by the Waterfront has displays about the history of St Peter's Church in the town of Ipswich from the 12th century to the present day.…
Visit this historic mariner's church which has links to Wolsey, view our heritage displays, the Ipswich Charter Hangings and have a look round our craft and gift fair.
Opening Times
- Friday 13 September: 1000-1600
- Saturday 14 September: 1000-1600
- Sunday 15 September: 1000-1600
- Tuesday 17 September: 1000-1600
- Wednesday 18 September: 1000-1400
- Thursday 19 September: 1000-1600
- Friday 20 September: 1000-1600
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
St Stephen’s Church
Tourist Information Centre, St. Stephens Church, St. Stephens Lane, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1DP
A beautiful medieval church now converted to house Ipswich Tourist Information Centre. Many fine, original, features, monuments and colourful…
Come and visit Ipswich Tourist Information Centre, situated inside the beautiful St Stephen's Church.
Opening Times
- Friday 13 September: 0900-1700
- Saturday 14 September: 0900-1700 Free guided walks at 1030
- Sunday 15 September: 1000 - 1400 Free guided walks at 1030
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Suffolk energy-from-waste facility
SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK Ltd. , Lodge Lane, Great Blakenham, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP6 0JE
Join us on the 14 September at Suffolk’s award winning energy-from-waste facility to find out how what happens to your non-recyclable waste…
Find out how we use Suffolk's waste to generate enough electricity to power 39,000 homes.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 1000-1400, Tour 1015-1100, 1115-1200, 1215-1300 & 1315-1400
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Preferred
The Oddfellows, the Friendly Society with history and heritage.
37 High Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 3QH
Its Friendship Month, and you are invited to come and view an exhibition “Oddfellows, past and present” including some regalia. Our volunteers…
The Oddfellows, Ipswich Branch is part of one of the largest and oldest friendly societies in the UK. View a display of the "Oddfellows, past and present". Refreshments available.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 10am-4pm
- Sunday 15 September: 10am-4pm
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
The Old Bell Funeral Home
The Old Bell Inn Funeral Home, 1-3 Stoke Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 8BX
The Old Bell Inn, we are led to believe, was the oldest hostelry in Ipswich and is said to have sold beers for at least five hundred years. It…
Visitors are welcome to come in and see the recently refurbished ground floor of the Old Bell Inn.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 10.00 - 15.00
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
The Old Custom House
Key Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 1BY
Built in 1845, designed by John Medlan Clark. Built from red and white brick and stone. An interesting feature of the facade is the working of the…
The Old Custom House will be open on the ground floor and there will be a special display of local maritime heritage images and artifacts
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 1100-1600
- Sunday 15 September: 1100-1600
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
The Salvation Army - Ipswich Citadel
The Salvation Army, 558 Woodbridge Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 4PH
In 1994 the Salvation Army Ipswich Corps moved from the old theatre in Tacket Street which had been its home since 1891, into new premises on…
An opportunity to look around the "new" Ipswich Citadel, now 25 years old. There will also be a display of archive photos showing members and events dating from the time of the Salvation Army's former home in Tacket Street.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 0900-1700
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Unitarian Meeting House
Unitarian Meeting House, Friars Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1TD
Built in 1699 and one of the architectural gems of Ipswich. Original box pews, a magnificent pulpit carved in the style of Grinling Gibbons, Dutch…
Built in 1699 the Unitarian Meeting House sits in a prominent position in the centre of Ipswich, next door to the Willis glass curtained building.
We look forward to seeing you.
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 1000-1700
- Sunday 15 September: 1200-1600
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable
Willis Towers Watson, Ipswich
Willis Towers Watson, Friars Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1TA
The iconic Willis Towers Watson building in Friars Street will be opening its doors to the public once again this year. A milestone building in…
Open from 10.00 hrs to 15.00 hrs on Saturday, 14 September
Open from 11.00 hrs to 16.00 hrs on Sunday, 15 September
Tours available throughout both days
Refreshments available in the roof top restaurant with spectacular views over Ipswich
Opening Times
- Saturday 14 September: 1000-1500
- Sunday 15 September: 1100-1600
Booking Details: Pre-booking: Not applicable