| Page Views: 18,756 Last Visit to Ipswich: - | Ipswich by Carnation - last update: Jan 5, 2005 |
Ipswich is one of England's oldest Anglo-Saxon towns. It was founded in the late 6th early 7th Century, where the estuary of the River Orwell joins up with the River Gipping. The town has an area of around 16 square miles and is a North Sea port situated at the head of the Orwell Estuary. The harbour stretches 11 miles downstream to Shotley Point.
Ipswich is a major regional centre with a population of around 130,000, and lies in the heart of East Anglia and the heart of Europe. It is the regional centre for business, shopping, sport and entertainment and is proud of its 800-year Royal Charter and it's long maritime tradition. The town has a great heritage and fine parks.
Ipswich prospers mainly as a major agricultural market and service centre for the extensive and rich farming area of Suffolk. The town developed into a prosperous port and trading centre with an important pottery industry. After a period of Viking occupation, Ipswich continued to flourish and it was given its own mint and prospered as a port exporting East Anglian textiles from medieval times to the 17th century. In 1200, King John granted the town it's first charter, and it was incorporated in 1446.
The Middle ages were a time of great wealth for the town and the surrounding area. For centuries Ipswich exported wool and cloth to the continent. A reminder of the wealth generated from this trade can be seen in many of the Tudor buildings that still stand today.
The general collapse of the East Anglian wool trade caused a decline in the town's fortunes in the 17th Century. A slow revival of the coastal shipping trade in the mid-18th Century led to the development of malting, milling and shipbuilding. Economic recovery was further enhanced by the introduction of agricultural engineering and brewing industries. Today engineering and various agricultural industries are very important for this area.
Outstanding buildings in Ipswich include Christchurch mansion, a 16th century building situated in the grounds of Christchurch Park, which is open to the public to walk about or view inside the mansion. When you do visit Ipswich, then you must go and visit Christchurch Park and mansion.
The older churches round here are nearly all towered flint structures, wholly or mainly perpendicular in style. There are several old coaching inns, including the Great White Horse of Pickwick Papers fame. Ipswich was the birthplace of Cardinal Thomas Wolsey.
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Carnation's Ipswich Travel Tips
| Overview | Things to Do | | | Restaurants
Tips: 6 - Photos: 6 | Hotels & Accommodations | | | | Nightlife | Off The Beaten Path | | | | Tourist Traps | Warnings Or Dangers | | | Transportation
Tips: 4 - Photos: 4 | Local Customs | | | | Packing Lists | Shopping | | | Sports Travel
Tips: 1 | General Tips
Tips: 12 - Photos: 12 |
 Carnation's Ipswich Travelogues | | | |
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 Comments for Carnation about Ipswich | | | | |
SmokeyMudd Thu Aug 23, 2007 10:12 UTC
Hi, Just to let you know that 'D-Tapas' changed to 'Penny's' and has now closed, | Azhut Tue Aug 24, 2004 19:18 UTC
Great page :-)) How are u? XXXXXXXXX | mrjemm Tue Aug 10, 2004 20:18 UTC
Good to see a more positive take on the town than mine! The park's definately a good one. D-Tapas good too. Enjoy your escape to WA! Jem | Jim_Eliason Mon May 10, 2004 00:35 UTC
Nice overview! |
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