Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Southwold

"The first public park in Ipswich opened way back in 1895, and since then Christchurch Park has undergone a multi-million pound restoration. Just a 20-minute walk and you can enjoy the picturesque green space and woodlands, as well as tennis courts, table tennis and refreshment kiosks. The park also operates an impressive events calendar including nature walks, arts and crafts, and festivals."

"Holywells Park has been transformed by a £3.5 million “Parks For People” refurbishment, which has created a visitor centre and café in the old Stable Block, restored a beautiful conservatory and established an outdoor theatre and entertainment space in the walled garden. The refurbishment project was funded largely by the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery, with contributions from the Borough Council and the Friends. Holywells is not only a beautiful park rich in wildlife, it is also home to a number of community events."

"It extends over 124 acres of parkland and wildlife areas on the western edge of Ipswich and the whole site is a conservation area. Chantry Park offers two children's play areas, a public car park and wildlife ranger events. It is also home to Ipswich & East Suffolk Cricket Club and the beautiful Italianate gardens of the magnificent Sue Ryder care home."

"Address: Friars Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1LS, England, UK Originally named the Willis Faber and Dumas Headquarters and now known simply as the Willis Building, this important Ipswich landmark was built in the early part of the seventies by acclaimed British architect Norman Foster. The Willis Building has become famous for its simplistic 'high-tech' appearance and modern architecture. Currently used as office space for some 1,300 workers, the building features three floors, a rooftop restaurant for staff and panoramic views, although is sadly not open to the general public."

"Ipswich Waterfront is great for a breakfast or coffee break stroll. It has a beautiful view, perfect for a nice hot day when the breeze is brushing past your face. It is also a point of interest for historic landmarks in Ipswich, and has many restaurants nearby where you can stop for food and make use of toilet and baby changing facilities."

"This kink in the River Orwell has been a place of trade since the 700s at the latest. The expansive wet dock opened in 1842, and at that time was the largest enclosed dock in the country. The imposing Old Custom House on Common Quay soon followed, and this Grade II-listed building now holds a conference centre on its ground floor."

"With indoor racing karts and exhilarating adrenaline-filled circuits, the thrills of racing in Ipswich are greater than ever here. With easy to drive vehicles (just brake or accelerate, no gears) kids won't be confused and will be able to focus on having fun!. All activities including the Arrive & Drive (8+ years), Cadet club and Kubz club (5+ years) need to be booked in advance."

"Address: Friars Street, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP1 1TD, England, UK Standing alongside the considerably more youthful Willis Building, the Grade I-listed Unitarian Meeting House was completed at the end of the 17th century and is widely regarded as ranking amongst England's most important Dissenting Meeting Houses, being once described as such by renowned Robinson Crusoe author Daniel Defoe (1659 to 1731). The interior of the Unitarian Meeting House remains very much as it appeared 300 years ago and contains box pews, a grand chandelier, pegs for wigs, and even a secret hole for spying. Open hours: May to September, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday - 12:00 to 16:00, Sunday services at 10:45 Admission: free"

"If St Mary le Tower is the jewel in the crown of Ipswich's historic churches then the Unitarian Meeting House on Friars Street is its hidden gem. Built in 1699 and hardly altered since, the Meeting House boasts a galleried interior and an ornate pulpit carved by Grinling Gibbons or one of his students. The Meeting House may have been designed by Gibbons' frequent employer, Sir Christopher Wren."

"Ipswich’s civic church on Tower Street came to the fore during the reign of the Anglo-Saxon king Edward the Confessor in the 11th century. And it was in the churchyard that Ipswich’s town charter was drawn up under King John in the year 1200. The current building is the fourth to stand on this spot and dates almost completely from the middle of the 19th century."

"Not far from Pykenham's Gate is St Mary le Tower church, the largest and most impressive medieval church in Ipswich. St Mary le Tower was begun in the late Saxon period, and from 1177 it was served by the canons of Holy Trinity Priory. St Mary's has been the town's civic church since 1200."

"Bourne Park is another park that will be very popular with the kids as it offers nature trails, playgrounds and large open spaces. The perfect place to kick a ball around or just relax with a book, it’s located further out of the centre of town, but a great place to get away to. There is also a great paddling pool which is perfect to take the kids to in the warmer months."

"One of the most popular landmarks in Ipswich, the Giles Statue depicts the ‘Giles Family’, famous cartoon characters created by Ipswich-based cartoonist Carl Giles. Also known as the ‘Grandma Statue’ the landmark features the infamous Grandma character, the naught twins Lawrence and Ralph, Rush the dog and the oldest sister Vera. The statue is positioned so that Grandma is looking up at the studio window of where Giles used to create his cartoons for Daily Express and Sunday Express, above what is now a Costa Coffee shop."

"There is a great deal on Groupon currently for a hot drink and all day brunch for two at Patisserie Valerie for £14.95. Options include the Farmhouse breakfast: two free-range eggs, back bacon, Cumberland sausage, tomatoes, a flat mushroom, baked beans and bloomer toast, Brioche French toast: a choice of frosted mixed berries and maple syrup or sweet-cure bacon with maple syrup or banana and cinnamon, Eggs Benedict served on a brioche bun and many more. See the Groupon deal here."

"Serving up the most instagrammable French patisserie on the high-street, Patisserie Valerie’s sweet treats are almost too pretty to eat although we re ..."

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"89 High Street, Lowestoft NR32 1XN EnglandIndian, Asian, Balti, BangladeshiLunch, Dinner, Late NightDelivery, Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Table Service+44 1502 514499http://www.spicedenlowestoft.co.uk"

"Seating 1,551, the Regent Theatre is the largest performing arts venue in East Anglia. This capacious venue was established in 1929 as a “cine-variety-hall”, screening movies and hosting revues. Fans of classic pop and rock music may be excited to learn that the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, the Walker Brothers, Elvis Costello and Siouxsie and the Banshees all played this venue during its heyday as a concert hall in the 50s, 60s and 70s."

"East Anglia's largest theatre, a venue for UK and European touring shows and big-name acts from across comedy, music and theatre. The Ipswich Regent Theatre is the biggest theatre in Ipswich with over 1,500 seats and a long history and bringing the latest entertainment to the people of Ipswich. The theatre opened in 1929 and was one of the first UK theatres to play films with sound."

"Grass-roots theatre company; creators of Theatre In The Forest at Jimmy's Farm and residents of The Avenue Theatre. A beacon for the local community, Red Rose Chain creates plays and films that provoke, excite and enrich themselves and everyone around them. The company perform and produce original dramas and comedy, always with thoughtful or ridiculous story!"

"A producing house, the highly regarded New Wolsey Theatre was founded in 1979 and can seat an audience of 400. After reopening in 2001 the venue operates on a not-for-profit basis and has gained widespread acclaim for attracting diverse audiences, for the breadth of its productions and for promoting talent from ethnic minorities. At the start of June the theatre hosts the Pulse Festival for contemporary theatre by emerging and established artists and companies."