Ipswich/bury St Edmunds Things To Do

[Ann]

Hi all. Going to this area for two days tomorrow - can anyone please recommend places to see preferably inside or from the warmth of the car? Sadly many of the Nat Trust places nearby are closed until Easter. Would welcome ideas .... thanks!

[Barmaid]

I cant think of anything to do from the car!

Bury st Edmunds is well worth a look round. Lunch at Maison Bleu followed by a wander round the Abbey Gardens might be nice. The cathedral there is lovely.

Not too far from BSE is Long Melford and Lavenham. Both very very pretty little places to idle a day away - lots of antiques shops and boutiquey places. The Swan at Lavenham is a lovely old place - log fires, low beams and a cracking good lunch. The church there is stunning.

I cant think of anything good to come out of Ipswich, apart from the A14.

[EDDIE51]

Bury St Edmunds , book a free tour of Greene King brewery, you get free beer!

[Buenchico]

I live in between the two so I reckon I might be able to answer this one!

Christchurch Mansion is definitely not to be missed. It's in Christchurch Park which is more or less right in Ipswich town centre. (i.e. it's only a few minutes walk away from the Tower Ramparts Bus station):
http://www.cimuseums.org.uk/Christchurch-Mansion

Ipswich Museum is also centrally located:
http://www.cimuseums.org.uk/Ipswich-Museum

It's probably not the best time of the year to visit Ipswich Waterfront but you'll get to see some ruddy expensive yachts and cruisers and you'll also find plenty of places to eat and drink:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attraction_Review-g190725-d1747745-Reviews-Ipswich_Waterfront-Ipswich_Suffolk_East_Anglia_England.html

Moyse's Hall Museum is right in the centre of Bury St Edmunds and definitely well worth a look:
http://www.suffolkmuseums.org/suffolk1/pages/moyses.htm
You'll end up knowing even more than Stuey does about old clocks ;-)
http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/more_gershom_parkington_clocks_than_ever_to_be_on_display_at_moyse_s_hall_museum_in_bury_st_edmunds_1_3974359

One of the best places to eat and drink in Bury St Edmunds is the Old Cannon:
http://www.oldcannonbrewery.co.uk/
(They've got their own brewery, with some of the brewing equipment actually inside the bar!)

Lavenham is one of the most attractive villages in England. There's not much to do there (other than admire its beauty and spend money in one of the many expensive tea rooms) but, if the weather's not too bad, it might still be worth a look:
http://www.discoverlavenham.co.uk/

Further afield, Norwich is packed with attractions:
http://www.visitnorwich.co.uk/
It's easy to get to by train (so you could leave the car at your base and relax more). A day's unlimited rail travel throughout East Anglia (after 0845) costs £18.10 (with a third off if you've got a Railcard) and takes you to places like the North Norfolk Coast or Cambridge:
http://www.abelliogreateranglia.co.uk/tickets-fares/discounts/rangers-rovers/anglia-plus

Cambridge is also easily accessible by road (but use the Park & Ride facilities - don't attempt to drive or park in the city centre!):
http://www.visitcambridge.org/

Tourist info for Bury St Edmunds:
http://www.visit-burystedmunds.co.uk/
and for Ipswich
http://www.allaboutipswich.com/

[Buenchico]

>>>book a free tour of Greene King brewery, you get free beer!

The tour's good but it's certainly not free! (£10 per head):
https://www.greenekingshop.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/Greene-King-Visitors-Centre.pdf

[Buenchico]

Another idea for you, Ann. You can go on a guided tour of the only surviving Regency playhouse in Britain on Wednesday:
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/theatre-royal/
and perhaps see a thriller there on either evening:
http://www.theatreroyal.org/shows/the-business-of-murder/

There's also a mystery play on at the New Wolsey Theatre in Ipswich this week:
http://www.theatreroyal.org/shows/the-business-of-murder/

[diddlydo]

Buenchico - do you live in Stowmarket by any chance?

[EDDIE51]

Chris I got a free tour but it was booked by my local pub!

[Buenchico]

>>>do you live in Stowmarket by any chance?

Within walking distance on a sunny day, Diddlydo ;-)

[zebo]

Isn't the Nat Trust Guildhall in Lavenham open all year? I've noticed that many NT properties are opening earlier than Easter.

[Maydup]

The Guildhall in Lavenham is indeed open throughout March (11am - 5pm) and comes highly recommended by me too. A visit here and lunch opposite in one of the cafes makes for a lovely half day followed by a ride to Long Melford and a wonder round their antique and craft shops.

http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lavenham-guildhall/opening-times/

[Ann]

Gosh thanks folks! Loads of ideas there! Pity we only have 2 days ..... will let you know how we get on, but one thing we will be doing - think our friends want to stop off at Anglesey Abbey gardens on the way to Long Melford where we are staying. We went there 2 years ago in April and it's a lovely place with the spring flowers. :)

[Ann]

Special thanks to you Chris - you are our very own AB tourist info, great!