Guides › England, UK › Ipswich, UK
City guide

Ipswich, UK

Ipswich is a port town and borough in Suffolk, England, located on the Orwell river. It is the county town, and largest in Suffolk, followed by Lowestoft and Bury St Edmunds, and the third-largest population centre in East Anglia, after Peterborough and Norwich.

Type CityPopulation 139,600

Why go

  • Town in Suffolk, England.
  • Served by RAF Honington (BEQ).

History

Ipswich is a port town and borough in Suffolk, England, located on the Orwell river. It is the county town, and largest in Suffolk, followed by Lowestoft and Bury St Edmunds, and the third-largest population centre in East Anglia, after Peterborough and Norwich. It is 65 miles (105 km) northeast of London. In 2021, Ipswich had a population of 139,600, while the Ipswich built-up area had a population of 151,562 in that same year, making it the fourth-largest in the East of England and the 42nd-largest in England and Wales. It includes the towns and villages of Kesgrave, Woodbridge, Bramford and Martlesham Heath.

Restaurants & places to go

Burger, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 06:00-23:00 Features: takeaway · 31 Tavern Street, Ipswich, IP1 3AG · mcdonalds.com
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 08:30-18:00; Su 10:00-16:00 Features: takeaway · Bury Road, Ipswich, IP1 5PD · storelocator.asda.com
Indoor
Italian, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 11:30-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:30-23:00; Su 11:30-22:00 Features: step-free access · 23 Grafton Way, Ipswich, IP1 1AX · askitalian.co.uk
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Fr 07:30-18:00; Sa 08:00-18:00; Su 09:00-17:00; PH 09:00-17:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 25 Westgate… · caffenero.com
Indoor
British, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Su 08:00+ · 3 Donald Mackintosh Way, Ipswich, IP8 3LQ · farmhouseinns.co.uk
Indoor
Coffee Shop, Cafe · Opening hours: Mo-Sa 07:00-19:00; Su 09:00-17:00 Features: takeaway, step-free access · 2-4 Carr Street, Ipswich, IP4 1EJ · costa.co.uk
Indoor
Pizza, Fast Food · Opening hours: Mo-Su 11:00-23:00 Features: delivery · 309A Main Road, Ipswich, IP5 2PR · dominos.co.uk
Indoor
Chicken, Portuguese, Restaurant · Opening hours: Mo-Th 12:00-22:00; Fr 12:00-23:00; Sa 11:00-23:00; Su 11:00-22:00 Features: step-free access · 27 Grafton… · nandos.co.uk
Indoor

258 more places in the Ultimate edition. See the Ultimate edition →

Airports

Wattisham Airfield 9.7 mi to the centre
Ipswich, Suffolk, ENG, GB — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Elmsett Airfield 7.6 mi to the centre
Ipswich, Suffolk, ENG, GB
Outdoor
Crowfield Airfield 8.2 mi to the centre
Ipswich, Suffolk, ENG, GB
Outdoor
Raydon Wings Glider Field 6.8 mi to the centre
Ipswich, Suffolk, ENG, GB
Outdoor
Debach Airfield 7.1 mi to the centre
Woodbridge, Suffolk, ENG, GB
Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Harwich Cruise Terminal
Ferry terminal · 8.8 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Harwich International Port
Ferry terminal · 8.8 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Felixstowe Ferry jetty
Ferry terminal · 11 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Bawdsey Quay
Ferry terminal · 11 mi from the centre
Outdoor
Harwich - Rotterdam (Freight only)
Ferry route
Outdoor
Harwich Harbour Ferry
Ferry route
Outdoor
Hook of Holland - Harwich
Ferry route · Stena Line B.V.
Outdoor
Hoek van Holland - Harwich
Ferry route · Stena Line B.V.
Outdoor
Harwich - Hoek van Holland
Ferry route · Stena Line B.V.
Outdoor

Where things are

Full geo-intelligence in Better Mapping →
Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is RAF Honington (BEQ); 18 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 4 ferry terminals within 12 mi (nearest: Harwich Cruise Terminal, 8.8 mi); routes include Harwich - Rotterdam (Freight only), Harwich Harbour Ferry, Hook of Holland - Harwich.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Ipswich, UK. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

National rail

Coaches & shuttles

Intercity coach
Intercity coach