The Society

The Ipswich Society was founded in 1960 and campaigns to preserve the best of the town’s old buildings and to ensure new building is of similar quality. IPSWICH Society members enjoy a series of Winter lectures on subjects about, or affecting Ipswich and its environs, a programme of Summer outings and the HERITAGE OPEN DAYS occasional weekend and short break further afield. Members also receive a quarterly Newsletter. The Society monitors planning applications and comments on those which will have a noticeable impact on the town. Members attend Ipswich Borough Council’s Conservation Advisory Panel and panels of the One-Ipswich Strategic Partnership. Comments are made on regional, county and local planning documents including the Development Plan. It also contributes to debates on local transport strategy and the balance between public transport and the alternatives. The Society is for individuals, families and corporate organisations who care about the appearance, character and well being of Ipswich. If you would like to join please use the form below. For more information on The Ipswich Society visit www.ipswichsociety.org.uk

I/We* wish to join The Ipswich Society as an individual/family* member and enclose a cheque for £6/£10* as first annual subscription. If you join during Heritage Open Days Weekend membership will continue until the end of 2013.

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*please delete as appropriate Cheques are payable to The Ipswich Society and should be sent, together with the form, to The Membership Secretary, The Ipswich Society, 11 Dalton Road, Ipswich IP1 2HT 6 - 9 September 2012 HERITAGE OPEN DAYS is ’s biggest and most popular voluntary cultural event.

The Ipswich Society is once again pleased to organise access to many local buildings of historical interest with the co-operation of owners and occupiers.

English Heritage gives central

co-ordination and a national Wrigley Robert Downes

voice to the event which last Robert Downes Phillipe year attracted around one million visitors nationwide.

The Ipswich Society is grateful to all 1. ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH, 4. TOWN HALL, Cornhill 8. , 12. ADMIRAL’S HOUSE, Tower Street 16. ST CLEMENT’S CHURCH, St concerned for their participation in this St Stephen’s Church Lane Opened in 1868, good example of high Probably built during the reign of Charles II Clement’s Church Lane European event. The buildings listed A 15th and 16th century church, converted Victorian civic architecture. External features 16th Century mansion in an historic park (1660-1685), with the later addition of a Built mainly in the 14th and early 15th represent seven centuries in the history into the Tourist Information Centre. The of classical columns, statues and sculpted setting. Rooms furnished in various styles fine Georgian front. The interior is a mix of centuries, this handsome church was of Ipswich and will be open to the public exterior is a patchwork of flint, stone and heads. Grand staircase has oak balustrade from Tudor to Victorian periods. This year architectural styles. Once the home of known as the “sailors’ church”. The walls during the weekend of September 8th brick. Inside, the windows create a pleasant, and cast iron work. The Mayor’s Parlour will you will have the chance to see the Admiral Benjamin Page, visited by the and the elegant tower reveal the light space. In the chancel is a splendid and 9th, 2012, with additional opening be open. Guided tours by Town Sergeant. Mildenhall Dish, one of the British Duke of Wellington in 1820, it houses the attractions of dark knapped flintwork. days for some venues. monument to Robert and Mary Leman who died on the same day in 1637. Saturday only. Museum’s top ten treasures. Ipswich Institute’s members restaurant, (Pictured above) The Heritage Open Days event provides a (Pictured above centre) Guided tours 10.30am, 12 noon, 2pm Saturday/Sunday 10am-5pm coffee lounge and lecture rooms. Saturday 9am-5pm; Sunday 3-5pm chance to see inside historical buildings, Saturday 9am-5pm; Saturday/Sunday 10am-4pm many of which are not normally Sunday 10am-2pm 5. ARLINGTONS, Museum Street 9. FREEMASONS HALL, 17. NEW COLLEGE accessible to the general public. In this Substantial Grade II listed building with 8-10 Soane Street I3. IPSWICH INSTITUTE and LIBRARY, Opened in 2011 with state of the art leaflet, descriptions of the buildings are attractive facade sporting Doric columns and The hall was completed in 1870 and Tavern Street accommodation. Training facilities include necessarily brief but in most cases further 2. UNITARIAN MEETING HOUSE, a grand classical staircase (1550 from the updated in 1911 by architect George Founded in 1824 by Dr. George Birkbeck, a 100 seater fine dining restaurant, three information will be available at the site Friars Street old Seckford Hall). Recently converted to a Henry Bertram Gould. Later extended to the Ipswich Mechanic’s Institution moved kitchens, radio, television and dance and/or guides will be on hand. Built in 1699 and is one of the architectural stylish cafe-bar and brasserie. Originally built incorporate adjoining dwelling house. The into a former chemist’s shop at 15 Tavern studios, a 60 seat performance theatre and gems of Ipswich. Original box pews, as a museum in 1847 for the benefit of the temple, dining room and foyer contain Street in 1834. The present layout housing an 80 seat lecture theatre. Also within the Opening times are correct at time of G magnificent pulpit carved in the style of college are industry standard automotive going to press but may be subject people of Ipswich. Darwin’s tutor John many items of masonic interest. a popular independent library in a light to change. Grinling Gibbons, Dutch 17th century Henslow gave free public lectures here. Saturday only 10.30am-4pm and airy barrel-vaulted hall, dates from and construction workshops as well as candelabra and a clock from an even earlier Brasserie open every day from 8am-10pm. 1876. A hidden gem of Ipswich’s cultural teaching accommodation and IT suite. date. Fine entrance doors, one with a spy- Saturday/Sunday 8am-10pm 10. BETHESDA BAPTIST CHURCH, and architectural heritage. Sports facilities include sports hall, FREE GUIDED WALKS hole for use against visits from opponents of St Margaret’s Plain Saturday/Sunday 10am-4pm badminton courts, one seven-a-side and nonconformist worshippers. 6. , High Street A classical style building by the architect ten five-a-side football pitches SATURDAY AND Saturday 10am-5pm; Enjoy the rare chance to visit the Museum F G Faunch. Opened in 1913, seats 800, 14. ST. LAWRENCE CHURCH, Saturday 9.30am-12.30pm guided SUNDAY Sunday 12 noon-4pm on a Sunday. Explore the amazing galleries has a splendid gallery on three sides Dial Lane. tours on the hour and half hour as well as a mini tour of the Victorian providing the best view of the interior. Grade II listed building superbly restored Add an extra dimension to the Heritage Natural History gallery. Saturday 10am-3pm as a town centre community facility with 18. HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, Back Open Days weekend by joining one of 3. WILLIS BUILDING, Friars Street Open Sunday 10am - 5pm stylish cafe open weekdays. Hamlet/Bishops Hill the town centre walks, led by Ipswich Built 1973-75. Designed by Norman Foster 11. PYKENHAM GATEHOUSE, Saturday 10am-2pm A rare Suffolk Georgian church and one of Tourist Guides. Associates. RIBA award for best post-war 7. , Henley Road Northgate Street Ipswich’s “best kept secrets” with a British building. Its free form was shaped to (meet in reception at main pedestrian Built about 1471 for William Pykenham, 15. CHRIST CHURCH surprising and harmonious interior that The walks leave from the Tourist includes a remarkable stained glass Information Centre at St. Stephen’s the site boundary and its black glass walls entrance, Henley Road) Archdeacon of Suffolk, as the entrance to (United Reformed/Baptist), Tacket St Church at 10.30am only on Saturday and reflect the surrounding buildings as a collage Built 1851/2 in Elizabethan style. Porch and his residence on the site now occupied by Built in 1857 as Congregational church by window commemorating the fallen of the on Sunday. of architectural styles. Dramatic escalators tower reflect in style the gateway to Wolsey’s the Ipswich & Suffolk Club. Timber-framed John Wight to the design of local architect parish in World War I amongst its and roof-top lawn. One of the very few post- College in St Peter’s Street and Tom Tower at with interesting internal and external F J Barnes. Gothic style in Kentish rag- treasures. Holy Trinity, the nearest active The routes will pass many of the War buildings to be nationally listed as of Wolsey’s foundation, Christ Church, Oxford. architectural features. Restored 1982/3 by stone, ashlar dressing. Interior has large church to the University and Waterfront buildings listed. Booking advisable but Grade I importance. (Pictured above) Library with stained glass by John Piper. Ipswich Building Preservation Trust. gallery, cast iron work and stained glass Visit www.holytrinityipwich.co.uk not essential. Saturday only Saturday only. (Pictured on front cover) east window. Thursday-Sunday 10am-4pm; Guided tours 10am-2pm Guided tours 9am, 10am, 11am Saturday 10am-4pm Saturday 10am-6pm Service 11am Sunday Gillian Maddison Robert Downes Robert Downes

19. UNIVERSITY CAMPUS SUFFOLK cargo from the 1930s. During WWII she 25. GRAFTON HOUSE, Russell Road theatre and arts venue to serve the local of the River Stour. The 1200 seat Chapel 32. MARTLESHAM HEATH CONTROL Iconic Waterfront building opened to survived a bomb blast and since the war Ipswich Borough Council’s headquarters, community. (Pictured above left) has the second largest manual organ in TOWER MUSEUM students in September 2007. Constructed has had a varied career including use as a opened in September 2006. The building Thursday/Friday/Saturday/Sunday Western Europe and a magnificent mosaic The museum depicts the history of one of to high sustainability standards and strip club and a houseboat. Now restored has a ground floor reception and meeting 11am-4pm. Cream teas available created by Italian artisans. A new Heritage the country’s most important airfields awarded ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating. to her traditional 19th century rig but with rooms with five floors of open plan Centre. The grade II listed Clock Tower between 1917 and 1939. The are lots of 28. BROOMHILL SWIMMING POOL, Designed to conserve energy in the modern safety equipment and quality accommodation. It also houses the chimes every 15 minutes and in the extra Attractions, many Special Displays Sherrington Road summer, cool air is used to chill the accommodation Victor provides guests with Councils 24/7 CCTV control room. splendid dining hall, unchanged since 1933 and even a Spitfire flying display. Situated in an unrivalled position at the structure for the next day. The sedum roof the opportunity to experience an authentic Contains a number of unique features hang wonderful paintings. The museum is located at the rear of edge of Broomhill Park, Broomhill Pool was acts to insulate, retain rainwater, encourage 19th century sailing vessel. (Pictured above) aiming to reduce energy consumption and (Pictured above) Parkers Place, off Eagle Way on completed in 1938. The pool is an biodiversity and absorb some CO2. Saturday/Sunday 10am-5pm provides a modern adaptable workplace. Saturday only. Guided tours 10am, Martlesham Heath, to the east of Ipswich. outstanding modernist lido with 50 metre Saturday/Sunday Saturday only. 11am and 12 noon Visit www.mhas.org.uk for more details. pool, wide sun terraces and diving stage. Guided tours 10.30am and 1.30pm 23. ST PETER’S CHURCH, Guided tours on the hour 9am-5pm Sunday 11am-4pm College Street The pool closed in 2002 and now needs 20. ISAAC LORD (machine room) The historic church is home to St. Peter’s 26. ENDEAVOUR HOUSE, considerable repair and restoration. 7 Wherry Quay, Ipswich by the Waterfront Arts, Music and Heritage Russell Road Saturday/Sunday 10am-5pm The Isaac Lord site comprises one Grade I Centre. This 14th century waterfront Suffolk County Council bought the and two Grade II listed buildings. It is church was enlarged in the 1870s and is building in 2003. Architects TTSP originally 29. FRESTON TOWER, Freston BUS TRIPS (Saturday only) perhaps the finest example in the region of probably the site of the first church in designed the building for energy company Enigmatic Elizabethan six-storey tower a late 15th - early 16th century merchant’s Ipswich. Items of interest include a rare TXU Europe. It is open plan with glass overlooking the River Orwell. Built in 1578 Take a free trip back in house and warehouse complex. Now a 12th century Tournai marble font, a prior’s walls, both inside and out, making it by Ipswich merchant Thomas Gooding. time by travelling popular waterside bar and coffee tavern. coffin, heritage displays and the Ipswich Restored by the Landmark Trust and between the extremely light and airy. It has a host of destinations on a The maltings is a rare example of an 18th Charter Hangings - commissioned by environmental features, including photo available for holidays. From Ipswich, take century hand malting concern. Machine the Wherstead Road to Bourne Bridge and Ipswich Transport Ipswich Arts Association to depict Ipswich voltaic cells to convert sunlight into Museum veteran bus room restored to full working order. from Anglo -Saxon times to the present electricity and a system for collecting turn left onto the B1456 towards Shotley. Machine room tour/demonstration Take footpath opposite Freston Boot PH. accompanied by day. Additional displays over the weekend rainwater for toilets and watering plants. a Tour Guide. Thursday 10am and 12 noon including, vintage cameras and radios, Saturday only. Friday/Saturday/Sunday 10am-4pm Every effort will be made to ‘Just us’ tapestry exhibition. Talk about the Guided tours on the hour 10am-3pm 21. OLD CUSTOM HOUSE, Key Street 30. WOOLVERSTONE HALL, maintain the timetable making and related history of the Ipswich (entrance below the main staircase) Ipswich High School, Woolverstone. below but please remember Charter Hangings. Live music throughout 27. GIPPESWYK HALL, Birkfield Drive Built 1844/5. Architect John Medland Clark. Palladian mansion in the Adams style, built that we are using buses the weekend. Grade II* listed building dating back to the Impressive use of a 19th century redbrick of Woolpit brick in 1776 housing Ipswich over 40 years old! Visit www.stpetersbythewaterfront.com early 17th century but with later re- with a white stone polychromy technique. High School. Original plaster ceilings. for full details. developments, and as such is a treasure TIMETABLE AND ROUTE (timings approximate - Saturday only) Grand external staircase. The ground floor Adam fireplaces and other features have Saturday 10am-3.30pm; Sunday chest for any architectural enthusiast or formerly included a bonded warehouse survived. Large park with terracing down Waterfront Old Custom House 1030 1130 1230 1330 1430 1530 10am-3.30pm history buff. Home to Red Rose Chain Film which has been converted into the to the Orwell. From Ipswich take the Bolton Lane Christchurch Mansion/ 1034 1134 1234 1334 1434 1534 & Theatre Company, an innovative and Waterfront Conference Centre. This Centre Wherstead Road to Bourne Bridge, turn Freemasons Hall 24. ST MARY-AT-STOKE, Stoke Street independent not-for-profit organisation Henley Road Ipswich School 1040 1140 1240 1340 1440 1540 is manned by Ipswich Maritime Trust who left onto B1456 towards Shotley for about One of only two medieval Grade I listed who are a big part of the thriving local arts High Street Ipswich Museum 1042 1142 1242 1342 1442 1542 are presenting an exhibition on Ipswich’s 3 miles. Adjacent Woolverstone Church Anglican churches in the town it benefits scene. Best known for Theatre In The Forest, Museum Street Arlingtons 1045 1145 1245 1345 1445 1545 maritime history. (Pictured above) also open for visitors. (Pictured above) from the “Midas touch” of William their spectacular outdoor theatre in the Friars Street Willis/Unitarian Meeting House 1048 1148 1248 1348 1448 1548 Saturday/Sunday 10am-4pm Sunday 2-4.30pm Butterfield, the genius Victorian Gothic heart of Rendlesham Forest, the company Old Cattle Market Tourist Information 1050 1150 1250 1350 1450 1550 New Cut Waterfront viewpoint 1055 1155 1255 1355 1455 1555 Revival architect who greatly enlarged it in also works with overlooked or hard-to- 22. SAILING BARGE “VICTOR” 31. THE ROYAL HOSPITAL SCHOOL, Rail Station 1105 1205 1305 1405 1505 1605 The Victor was built in 1895 in Ipswich, and 1870/1. The site pre-dates the Saxon era reach groups to create original and HOLBROOK Waterfront Old Custom House 1112 1212 1312 1412 1512 1612 is one of the oldest remaining Thames when Stoke (Saxon = stockade) was a insightful films and plays. There are The school moved from Greenwich in 1931 fortified hill protected by water and currently development plans, backed by the IPSWICH TRANSPORT MUSEUM is open every Sunday and bank holiday sailing barges still working. to Holbrook and is celebrating its until the 25 November from 11am - 4pm (last entry 3.30pm) Originally commissioned for the linseed marshes. Heritage Lottery Fund, to redevelop part of Tercentenary in 2012. The purpose-built trade the barge Victor worked in general Saturday 9am-4pm; Sunday 12-4pm the existing building into a purpose-built 200 acre campus enjoys outstanding views www.ipswichtransportmuseum.co.uk Location of buildings Ipswich town centre

1. ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH 2. UNITARIAN MEETING HOUSE 3. WILLIS BUILDING 4. TOWN HALL 5. ARLINGTONS 6. IPSWICH MUSEUM 7. IPSWICH SCHOOL 8. CHRISTCHURCH MANSION 9. FREEMASONS HALL 10. BETHESDA BAPTIST CHURCH 11. PYKENHAM GATEHOUSE 12. ADMIRAL’S HOUSE 13. IPSWICH INSTITUTE & LIBRARY 14. ST. LAWRENCE CHURCH 15. CHRIST CHURCH 16. ST CLEMENT’S CHURCH 17. SUFFOLK NEW COLLEGE 18. HOLY TRINITY CHURCH 19. UNIVERSITY CAMPUS SUFFOLK (UCS) 20. ISAAC LORD 21. OLD CUSTOM HOUSE 22. SAILING BARGE ‘VICTOR’ 23. ST PETER’S CHURCH 24. ST MARY-AT-STOKE CHURCH 25. GRAFTON HOUSE 26. ENDEAVOUR HOUSE 27. GIPPESWYK HALL 28. BROOMHILL SWIMMING POOL 29. FRESTON TOWER 30. WOOLVERSTONE HALL 31. ROYAL HOSPITAL SCHOOL, HOLBROOK 32. MARTLESHAM HEATH CONTROL TOWER

Access for people with disabilities is a problem in some of the buildings, Map designed and originated by Ipswich Borough Council’s Communication + Design Unit. particularly Pykenham © Ipswich Borough Council 2010, from the Ordnance Survey mapping with the permission of the Gatehouse (11). Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationery Office. © Crown Copyright. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. LA 07831X2001.