Discover Ipswich

Have you been to Ipswich? A large town, it is the county town of Suffolk, but does not actually have city status. This typical English town is well worth exploring with its beautiful landscape and gorgeous coastal areas, especially in the summer, when the sun is beaming. This is the perfect time to relax and enjoy nature here. The English Summer School in Ipswich is located just one hour from London and only 15 minutes away from Ipswich town centre, where you get to taste traditional favourites of the town like banana bread and cheese straws.

If you want to go on a shopping spree then Ipswich is perfect for you. The city has more or less everything you could need from designer brands and high street favourites to local boutiques selling unique fashion pieces. As an alternative, you could explore some of Ipswich’s traditional pop-up street markets like the ‘Charter Market’, located on the Cornhill and Princess Street, which is full of great value products from fashion accessories to traditional snacks.

Fancy a brilliant day out? Ipswich is ideal, with a number of festivals coming up including the ‘Celebrate Ipswich Festival’, at which the town centre hosts a vast range of fun activities, and the ‘Ip-Art Festival’, which features a series of exciting events ranging from visual arts and literature to music and film. The town has many more themed festivals throughout summer, keeping you busy and entertained during your stay in Ipswich.

For those who are interested in art, Ipswich is famous for having a vast number of art galleries showcasing the artwork of many famous artists from Suffolk including John Constable and Thomas Gainsborough. Christchurch Mansion holds the largest collections of these two artists. Atrium Studios, the John Russell Gallery and the Waterfront Gallery are all recommended art destinations displaying art work from East Anglican painters and sculptors to recent graduates.

Ipswich boasts wonderful exotic scenery, and no visit is complete without sightseeing along the historic waterfront or having lunch or dinner at one of the recommended restaurants surrounding the harbour. Some great places to eat include Isaacs situated at Wherry Quay, where live music events are often held across its four bars; Aurora Bar and Restaurant, a new dining location serving authentic British cuisine and Bistro on the Quay, situated in the heart of Ipswich Waterfront providing a vibrant atmosphere, offering a broad menu choice and most importantly specialising in fresh local ingredients.

Ipswich is a place with a variety of activities and tours available to keep you busy and help you to experience England's culture. It's a town where you can relax and have fun with your friends, which at the same time is a great way of practising English; why not have a go at bartering for a great deal at one of the marekts?